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STORY INDEX Population of Indiana's
northeast counties Tracking railroads: Longtime area auto dealers have 'seen it all' Amish continue long-held
traditions Cars accelerate lives of Noble County residents The price of cars: How much did it cost to drive one off the lot? Electric Interurban connected area to Fort Wayne, beyond LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets U.S. 6, Ind. 3: Kendallville's routes to growth Agriculture ever-changing, advancing in Noble County Comparisons: How far did the dollar stretch? Growing onions, peppermint made 'scents' in early 1900s The Gaby farm: A changing culture impacts 4-H County fair continues to be a big social event Thriving through the times: Downtown Kendallville adapts to a century of changes Dekko's philanthropy remains a 'valuable resource' Rinkel family still at the wheel of Greenfield Hills Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana: Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state Making do during the Great Depression: Retired hatchery owner recalls tough times, bright moments Mill a 'Star' business in Ligonier: Firm has been grinding wheat into flour for 113 years Elmer E. McCray had a major impact on Kendallville Richard R. Cole has long legacy Female executive has seen many changes in workforce Working women: From assisting war effort to competing in global markets Wolcottville a center of commerce, industry in 1800s Mongoquinong area was early LaGrange County commercial center 'The cheapest hired hand we ever had.' Electricity made life brighter, easier down on the farm Monument company's history set in stone Historic Corn School dates back to 1906
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Elmer E. McCray had major impact on Kendallville By TERRY HOUSHOLDER The News-Sun KENDALLVILLE - No other individual
in the early decades of the 20th century had a greater Founder of the McCray Refrigerator Co. in 1890, his firm grew into the largest employer of the city. And the name became synonymous with efficient food-saving and health-protecting services in homes, stores and institutions around the nation. For decades the company was the largest manufacturer of commercial refrigeration worldwide. The company was sold to Litton Industries in 1966. In June 1973, Litton announced plans to close the firm, which still had 250 employees. It finally shut its doors in early 1974. Born in 1860 in Ohio, McCray came to Kendallville with his parents in 1867, when the city was in its infancy. He joined his father, Hiram, in the produce business in Kendallville as a young man. They traveled about the area in horse-drawn wagons, gathering up butter and eggs. They stored them in basements to keep them from spoiling. Realizing the need to cut down the tremendous loss from food spoilage and to protect the public as well, McCray and his father built a cold storage room and in 1882 received a patent for their invention.
Seeing a demand for coolers, 30-year-old Elmer McCray (whose father had died two years earlier) founded a new company, McCray Refrigerator and Cold Storage Co. (later shortened to McCray Refrigerator Co.), with $500 in capital he had saved. The first modest McCray plant was located on West Mitchell Street, on property now occupied by Peoples Federal Savings Bank. The new company took off like gangbusters. Within two years the business was expanded at the site on West Wayne Street. Within a few years the plant consisted of 12 buildings with 65,000 square feet of floor space, with 200 employees. McCray's keen business foresight kept the firm growing. In the early 1900s he had already established distribution centers for his products throughout the South, in such cities as Atlanta, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Columbia, S.C.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Jacksonville, and Pensacola, Fla. McCray was a natural salesman and built the company's prestige
through an excellent product and timely delivery. As time went on he established offices and salesrooms in all the principal cities of the country. Employment grew steadily in the early decades of the 20th century. In those days the company sustained one-third of the families in the community. While building up his industry, McCray never lost sight of the needs of his employees and community. He was a beloved figure among his workers and in the community. His loyalty and devotion to his associates and employees was evidenced in the many ways in which he provided for their welfare. In 1923, he established a pension plan for the retirement of his veteran employees, the first in the city. As a recognition of faithful and continuous service for his workforce, he organized a Twenty Year Service Club. At the time of his death on Dec. 30, 1937, at the age of 77, there were 72 members of the club. McCray was civic minded and assisted many local philanthropic endeavors during his lifetime. He was president of Lakeside Hospital, Kendallville, an institution that was made possible by his generosity. He personally donated half the cost of the building, the forerunner to the present McCray Memorial Hospital, which was later named in his honor. He helped develop the Kendallville park system and was president and owner of the Kendallville Country Club, now the Elks Country Club. McCray also took great interest in the 4-H Clubs in Noble County and donated generously to build the original 4-H buildings at the Noble County Fairgrounds in Kendallville. 
He helped countless individuals in the community, especially those seeking to further their education. The regard the community had for McCray was evident at his funeral, held at his elaborate home at 703 E. Mitchell St., built in 1928. McCray, 77, died in Atlanta at the home of his only daughter, Sarah Candler, wife of Dr. Robert Candler, an heir to the Coca-Cola fortune. His death from a heart attack was unexpected, although he had been ill for a year. His body was brought back to Kendallville by train and hundreds of his friends, employees and business associates paid respects to him and his widow, Lena, at his home. On the day of his funeral, Sunday, Jan. 2, 1938, 300 employees walked from the McCray factory to the home. Trustees and employees of Lakeside Hospital did likewise in a body. Members from the Kendallville Police Department and the Indiana State Police formed a guard of honor for the burial procession at Lake View Cemetery, north of the city. McCray left a legacy of service to those who followed in his footsteps. His impact on the community is felt long after his death. |
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impact on the growth of Kendall-ville
than did industrialist Elmer E. McCray.
