Legends in Their Own Right
While they may not be as well-known as the Lillys or Irsays, these local families have legacies of their own.
Carson
In 1996, Julia Carson became the first woman and African American Indy had ever sent to Congress. But her political career began much earlier, when she worked for U.S. Representative Andy Jacobs in 1965. Once elected, Julia’s grip on the 7th congressional district proved unbreakable. When she died in 2007, her grandsonAndre continued the family’s pioneering tradition, assuming her seat and becoming the second Muslim in the House.
Clowes
As director of research at Eli Lilly, George Clowes developed the means to mass-produce insulin in 1921, making his heirs very rich in the process. You can findthe surname on everything from Clowes Hall to the Clowes Pavilion at the IMA. The third and fourth generations of his family (Alexander, Douglas, Jonathan, Lynn, Thomas, George, Aidan, Daniel,and Edith) administrate the Clowes Fund here in Indy.
Evans
Daniel Evans Jr., CEO of Clarian Health Partners, isn’t the first generation of his family to lead the largest hospital chain in the state. Nor the second or third. In fact, his great-great-grandfather raised money to build Methodist Hospital in 1899. An Evans has sat on the board ever since.
Glick
Gene Glick sold his first home in 1947, and by 1961, the business he and his wife Marilyn founded (Gene B. Glick Company) was selling 500 of them a year. Today, it manages 19,000 residences. The Cultural Trail exists in large part because of the Glick Family Foundation, run by his daughters Marianne, Arlene, Lynda, and Alice. Gene’s grandson-in-law, David Barrett, still runs the business.
Kittle
Clarence Kittle had a business idea with legs. The little furnishings store he opened on Pennsylvania Street in 1932 led to the Midwest’s largest furniture chain, currently boasting 14 enormous locations. Today, Clarence’s grandsons Jim and John run the business, which just celebrated its 75th birthday. The former acted as state chairman of the Republican Party during Mitch Daniels’ first run for governor.
Lacy
Manufacturing cardboard boxes may not be sexy, but the Lacys proved it could be profitable. Founded by Howard Lacy in 1912, the “U.S. Corrugated–Fibre Box Company” eventually expanded to become Lacy Diversified Industries on Monument Circle, where it still resides today under the leadership of Howard’s grandson, Andre. The conglomerate’s companies employ more than 2,500.
Mays
Bill Mays founded Mays Chemical Company in 1980 as a one-man operation. Today, it grosses $150 million. And while another of his businesses, The Indianapolis Recorder, hasn’t enjoyed the same growth curve, the African-American newspaper has brought his niece to prominence. Carolene Mays publishes the paper, and in 2002, she was elected state representative of Indiana House District 94.
McKinney
Two McKinney families have made their fortune here in finance. Frank McKinney Sr., head of the Democratic National Commmittee during the Truman administration, had a son, Frank McKinney Jr., who headed American Fletcher National Bank. Robert McKinney, unrelated, headed AFNB’s rival, First Indiana Bank. In 1992, Robert’s son Kevin founded the alternative weekly NUVO.
Tucker
Not much changes at F.C. Tucker Company. Not the T-shaped “For Sale” signs. Not the market dominance. Certainly not the name of the guy at the top. What began with Fred C. Tucker Sr. in 1918 and developed under his son Fred C. Tucker Jr. continues under Fred C. Tucker III. With over $2 billion in sales, it remains the largest residential firm in the state.
Wolf
Louis Wolf (along with his brother-in-law, Gustave Efroymson) purchased Wasson’s department store in 1912 and built it into a chain that rivaled Block’s and Ayres. And though the stores closed in 1980 after three generations under the Wolfs, the family is still in the news. Louis’s great-grandson, David Wolf of Indy, began his career as a NASA astronaut in 1990.
