General Notes

THE  SHELBYVILLE  REPUBLICAN
Monday Afternoon, June 4, 1923
page 1, column 4
SON  OF  PIONEER  DIED  ON  SUNDAY
William A. Louden, Local Horseman And Good Citizen Passed Under The Wire
FUNERAL  WILL  BE  TUESDAY


William A. Louden died at 2:15 o'clock Sunday afternoon at his residence, 304 East Washington street.  His death came as a surprise as it was not generally known that he was seriously sick.  Mr. Louden was taken ill last September, but went about his business affairs for some time after that.  Complications arising, he consulted specialists and took treatment in Indianapolis as long as he was able.  Through it all he maintained that grandiousness of spirit that always made him friends.  A few days ago when it was known that his case was hopeless he sent for Rev. O. J. McMullen, of the Christian Church, who christened him.  On another call of the minister, Mr. Louden arranged with him to conduct his funeral.  The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at the home at 3:00 o'clock, Rev. McMullen being in charge.  The interment will be made in Forest Hill.  Friends may call at any time up to the hour of the funeral. Mr. Louden was the son of  David and Josephine Louden, early residents of Shelby county.  He was born on the Louden homestead on the Michigan road, three miles east of here, on January first, 1854.  He lived there with his parents until they moved to Shelbyville in 1867.  He was married to Harriett Drummond in Kokomo, on May 21, 1874.  She died on August 1, 1900.  He was married to Miss Margaret Bird on August 17, 1902.  His life was one of pleasure and contentment.  Surviving is his widow and three sisters and two brothers, the sisters being Mrs. S.S. Carson and Mrs. James Hilligoss of this city and Mrs. Zora Bowyer, of Indianapolis.  The brothers are Mr. John Louden, of Greensburg and Charles Loudenof Rome, Georgia.  Attesting the high esteem in which Mr. Louden was held by his neighbors and friends, this was shown by the fact that during recent weeks his home was literally filled with flowers by them.  He spoke of this often saying it is good to have them now.  Mr. Louden was a descendant of one of the first settlers of Shelby county.  His grandparents were William and Betsy Louden, who came to this county in 1822.  They entered land on the Michigan Road, three miles east of here.  There they built the first tavern on that road in Shelby county.  Up until the time the railroad was built from Lawrenceburg the Louden tavern was a favorite stopping place for travelers.  So popular was it that stage drivers made it a point to put up there over night.  The tavern was a large house of the double style type with an upstairs.  There was a long and wide veranda that was the rendevous for the travelers.  Large stables of logs housed the tired horses that pulled the old rock away stage as well as the saddle horses, which were numerous. "Uncle Bill" and "Aunt Betsy" were known far and wide for their hospitality and her cooking was famous.  Both were embodiment of good nature and better humor.  A hundred stories have been handed down concerning that pair of pioneers.  One of their sons was the man who drove the horse to the car on the first "railroad" that was built east of town, that being in 1834.  David Louden, father of Will was one of the noted characters of the county.  When Will was a young man he was a lover of horses and followed them with great interest.  In early life he went to Memphis, Tennessee, where for a few years he was one of the best known hackmen of that city.  Later he developed a number of race horses; always taking a great interest in that sport.  Mr. Louden possessed a wonderfully happy disposition.  He was happiest when surrounded by a number of friends and was telling the latest good story and he knew them all that were worth telling.  He was the type of man who made life worth the living and whom it was always a pleasure to meet.
Submitted by Barb Huff