Source: Wabash Plain Dealer, January 3, 1922

JOHN M. CURTNER AGED 70, DIES AT HOME LAST NIGHT

Long Identified With Wabash Business and Banking Interests

John M. Curtner, well known resident of Wabash and for many years closely identified with the business and social interests of the city, died at 8:20 o'clock last evening at his home on North Wabash street.

Several years ago Mr. Curtner developed a malignant internal trouble, and in November, 1918, underwent an operation at the Methodist Hospital at Indianapolis. Relief was obtained and for two years following, Mr. Curtner enjoyed good health. However, a year ago last summer there was a recurrence of the disease, and in the following September Mr. Curtner took a western trip, spending several weeks in Colorado Springs and Denver in the hope of benefiting his health. But no lasting good was accomplished, for, after his return home, he gradually grew weaker, until three weeks ago when he was taken to his bed. It is said that his death was hastened by the news of the death of his life-long friend, Dr. Charles Little.

Mr. Curtner was 70 years old the 20th of last June. He was born in Carlisle, Indiana, and, his parents dying when he was a very young boy, he went to Paris, Ill., to live with the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Blackburn, the latter being a sister of Mr. Curtner's mother.

He received his early school training in the town of Paris, coming when a young man of 18 or 20 to Wabash, primarily for the purpose of attending the Wabash Academy, a school that was located on the South Side and stood on the present site of the South Side school.

In 1876 he was married to Miss May Eagle, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Eagle, and immediately afterwards Mr. Curtner became associated with his father-in-law both in the banking business and in his law practice. He was made the cashier of the Lawrence National bank of North Manchester, which position he kept for many years, and was at the time of his death its president and one of the largest stockholders.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtner spent their time between North Manchester, though finally coming to this city to make their permanent home. Mrs. Curtner's death occurred in 1910, after which Mr. Curtner lived in the present North Wabash street home with Mrs. Eagle, who survived her daughter three or four years.

Mr. Curtner was identified with various business concerns, though bank stock represented by far the greater number of his investments. He was at the time of his death president of the Lawrence National bank of North Manchester; a director in the Union Trust bank of the same city; the first vice-president of the Farmers & Merchants bank of this city; he had extensive holdings in the state bank of Warsaw, Ind., and also in the First-Second National bank of Akron, Ohio. He was an officer in the Eel River Telephone company of North Manchester, and also had large real estate interests, business and dwellings, both here and in North Manchester. He was the owner of a valuable 320-acre farm north of North Manchester.

Mr. Curner has long been closely connected with the Presbyterian church. He is president of the board of trustees of the church and was one of the elders. His friendship with the late Dr. Little and with members of his family, as well as the Thurston family, is also one of long standing, though actual relationship existed between Mr. Curtner and the members of the Thurston family, as was somewhat generally thought.

The deceased was one of a family of three, having had one brother, William Curtner, and one sister, Mrs. Floyd Jenkins, both of whom are dead. He had no children, and is survived in the immediate relationship only by the wife of his brother [missing print].

Source: News-Journal, March 16, 1922

Curtner Estate $309,508.93

According to an inventory of the estate of John C. [sic] Curtner, who died recently, he had personal property amounting to $14,654.90, and cash in banks and on notes valued at $206,854.03. The value of real estate owned at the time of his death is estimated at $88,000. There had been much speculation concerning the value of this estate, much of which was in such property that few knew its real value. The property all goes to relatives of Mr. Curtner. The executors of his will, Charles S. Haas and Dr. Walter A. Domer, are closing all of the outside affairs as rapidly as possible. The terms of the will are such that the bank stock does not have to be sold immediately, but may be carried in a trust fund directed by the executors and trustees for a period of ten years if so desired.

Source: News-Journal, January 1, 1923

CURTNER ESTATE

Pays State Inheritance Tax of $8,623.52 -- Appraised at $241,000 by County Assessor

Joseph Cowgill, county assessor, was in North Manchester Friday, and has finished appraising the estate of the late John M. Curtner for state inheritance tax. The net value of the estate was placed at $241,000, this being the value after all claims so far allowed have been deducted. On this there will be a state inheritance tax of $8,623.52, which will go to the state highway fund. There is still to be a national inheritance tax paid on this estate, and while Mr. Cowgill has nothing to do with fixing this tax, or making the appraisement for it, he expressed his belief that it would not be far from $19,000. An odd feature comes to light in this case in relation to the account of $15,000 that was allowed Dr. Walter Domer. Had this been paid by being willed to him by Mr. Curtner there would have been an inheritance tax of about $750 on it, but being paid as a claim against the estate there is no inheritance tax. The same will hold true with whatever may be allowed Herbert Coblentz in his suit against the estate.