Rust Unger Monument Company

[David Sechrest]

Please post info here...

[RER]

The Oldest 1800s Known Columbus Business Still Operating 2010
2421 East 10th Street
Columbus, Indiana

Company: Rust-Unger Monuments

Historical Locations:
-421 4th Street (starting in 1852) to 1963
-2421 East 10th Street to present 2010

Founded: In 1865 (roots 1852 per note below)

CIRCA 1903

In the words of Donald & Denise Anderson (owners):

James A. Cavanaugh, a native of Columbus, Indiana, returned from the Civil War and opened a monument company. For more than twenty years, he created marble tombstones. After his death, Michael Unger, a French immigrant and longtime employee of Cavanaugh, purchased the assets of the firm and continued the business under the name "Michael Unger Monument Company".

George W. Unger, Michael's son, bought the "Columbus Monument Works" in 1920 and sometime later merged it with the "Unger Monument Company" creating the "Unger Granite Works".

The "Rust Monument Company" was founded in 1928 when three employees left George W. Unger to form "The Rust-McCoy Monument Works". George continued in the business until 1938 when he passed it on to his son, Donald Unger. In 1963 Donald bought the "Rust Monument Company".

Later, A. Dale and James N. Rust became the sole owners of the company. After Donald Unger bought "The Rust Monument Company" from A. Dale Rust, he merged it with the "Unger Granite Works" and moved the company from 421 Fourth Street to its current location at 2421 East Tenth Street.

Since the 1960's the company has produced marble, granite, and bronze memorials. At one time, "Rust-Unger Monuments" and its predecessors also produced marble tabletops, fireplace surrounds, and even windowsills. The company provided commercial and custom sandblasting services into the mid 1940's.

In the mid 1970's, after finishing four years in the United States Navy, another Columbus native, Donald Anderson came to work for Don Unger. Mr. Unger passed on to Don Anderson the fine art of creating beautiful monuments.

Donald Anderson learned his craft well and in 1982 he and his wife, Denise, purchased "Rust-Unger Monuments" from the retiring Don Unger. "Rust-Unger Monuments" continues to serve Bartholomew and surrounding counties, and is proud to be a historical part of Columbus, Indiana.

Note: Denise said this today in emailing: "Although we claim 1865 as our established date, we believe it is actually earlier. Suzy Jones, a local historian, now deceased, traced our roots back to the "H.J. Godfrey Marble Works", established in Columbus in 1852, at 421 Fourth Street, half square east of First National Bank. In 1860, we believe that Michael Unger purchased the H.J. Godfrey Monument Works and changed the name to the "Michael Unger Monument Works".

Website of Rust-Unger Monuments: rust-ungermonuments.com/About_Us.html

Additional Pictures: There are several additional pictures of the the business over the years and the present facility at the Website above.

A Special Thank You: To Denise Anderson for giving the Columbus Historical Boards permission to post the picture and information. The additional 1852 year, also added to the wonderful history of this Oldest Columbus Indiana business.
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Additional Honors: All this information is recognized in the Indiana Historical Society Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Indiana Government Historical Website.

[RER]

Employee List During 1890s & Early 1900s

Company: Rust-Unger Monument Company

-Michael Unger, Title: Owner & Monument Dealer (home address was 911 Chestnut Street) Business address was 421 4th Street.

-Carrie Clutch, Title: Foreman

-J. Fenton Cooper, Title: Marble, Granite Cutter


Source: Bartholomew County Directory dated 1903-1904

[David Sechrest]

I remember this company when they were on "old" 10th Street. As I recall, they were located maybe not even a block west of Gladstone.

I went there one time, many years back, because someone there bought and collected coins. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the man I talked to. I had a 50 cent piece, dated either 1919 or 1929, and being in college and needing money, inquired if he would be interested in buying the coin from me.

For some reason, I get a mental image of a white, two story house where I went that day...

[RER]

Jan 15, 2010 15:42:25 GMT -5 David Sechrest said:

I remember this company when they were on "old" 10th Street. If I recall, they were located maybe not even a block west of Gladstone.

I went there one time, many years back, because someone there bought and collected coins. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the man I talked to. I had a 50 cent piece, dated either 1919 or 1929, and being in college and needing money, inquired if he would be interested in buying the coin from me.

For some reason, I get a mental image of a white, two story house where I went that day...

Brief: David you probably went to almost the same house that William Brockman's grandson and family lived in and raised several children.

The present Rust-Unger Monument Company is in the foreground and the red oval is the former Brockman house and real estate:



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The next picture is almost a current photo of the corner of 10th and Gladstone street. The red oval is the present Rust Unger Monument area look West from corner of Gladstone and 10th Street.

In Her Own Words From A Brockman Daughter That Was Born In The Below House:

"The house in the red oval was the home that I grew up in and is still located at the corner of 10th & Gladstone. That house originally stood somewhere around 7th and Gladstone and was moved to it's present location when they started the Garland Brook Cemetery (somewhere in the early 1900's ... my mother remembered it in it's original location and she was born in 1903.) Several Brockman children were born in the 10th Street house.

Dale and Reba Rust lived in the house at the Monument Works...we cut across the field to visit with them regularly...even had one of the wood step ladders over the fence. As I recall they had two daughters that were more the age of my older sisters. Charlie Cox and his family lived in the little house for as long as I can remember...he was the assistant manager. Both houses were owned by the cemetery. The oldest daughter of Charles & Pauline Cox, Kay, married an Unger son who later became well known for his photography."

"My grandfather....William Brockman's eldest son....died around 1918....his name was also William, his younger brother was Frank Brockman who lived in a house at 8th & Franklin. My father's name was also William Thomas... and he was always know as Tom."

10th & Chestnut Street Home

Brief: Mr. William Brockman (senior) was born in 1837 and past away during 1911. He and a man name Tompkins had a construction firm located at 3rd and Pearl Street during his lifetime. The company name was Brockman & Tompkins Company. He and two other gentleman built several brick buildings in downtown Columbus, including the old City Hall still standing at the corner of Franklin and 5th Street. The three gentleman's names involved with the old City Hall building are: Brockman, Tompkins and Louden.

Mr. Brockman was instrumental in starting the Garland Brook Cemetery during his lifetime. The farm land was bought from a farmer, including "Nancs" great grandfather, S. Webber Smith. Mr. Smith sold a portion of his farm, 6 acres to start the graveyard. Mr. Brockman was also the treasurer of the Garland Brook Cemetery during those days.
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Mr. William Brockman (senior) lived in a larger home on 3rd Street in the city. The house was recently torn down, per a direct Brockman family member.

3rd Street Home In City