The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-30
DEATH OF HON. DAVID MACY
He Passes Away at His Home at an ADD
vanced Age After Tears of Usefulness.
He Was q Banker and Railroad Builder and
Handled Millions of Dollars of Trust
Money-His Life and Family.

Hon. David Macy died yesterday morn
ing. about 3 O'Clock. at his residence on
North Delaware street. after a very brief
illness. He had shown signs of failing
strength for three OF four weeks, but was
able to ride out in his carriage on Friday.
Shortly after midnight he began to suffer
severely. and the household and a physi-
clan were awakened to administer relief.
The sinking away of vital forces, how
ever, was too rapid to be stemmed. end
ing in death in the course of twenty-four
hours. His mind was clear to the last, being
able to recognize the family gathered
about his bedside. HIS wife, to whom be
was married IN this city. in 1887, and the
only child. Mrs. VOlney T. Malott, survive
him. The funeral VIII occur Tuesday aft
ment to follow at Crown Hill. The burial
Will be private. Tue deceased was q COM
municant in st. PauFs Episcopal Church.
Few men in Indiana were more closely
identified with the development of Indiana
than David Macy. He was born in X an
his father being Albert Macy. but came to
this State when about ten years of
age. His parents settled in Randolph
county, Indiana, then but very thInly set
tied. This son was one of nine children.
and participated in the pioneer life of an
early settler until eighteen years of age,
acquiring such education as the winter
term of school in a log house afforded. The
next three years of his life were spent IN
the service OF his brother Hiram, fitting
himself for q millwright. The law was
more suitable to the young mans ambi-
tIOns. and after two years study at Centre
vile he was admitted to what was then
OF one Of #. the s,.,s most H prominent ts. vs bar:
of practice were spent in New
Castle. In 1888 he passed a rigid exam
lnation for admission to the bar of the Su-
preme Court, n at his death was the old
nal. He was elected to the Legislature In
1885 on a platform calling for internal inn
provements in way of highways. canals
and railroads, and was re elected twice.
His death leaves Col. Richard w. Thomp-
son. OF Terre Haute. the only surviving
member of the General Assembly of 1885.
Mr.. Macy's legislative career was identi-
fed with the loan of $40. 000. 900, made by
the State on the issue of bonds, for inter
nal improvements. In 1888 he was
lature for the Sixth judicial district. In
1910 he removed to Lawrenceburg. and
during his residence there. until 1852, he
was twice elected Mayor and also, twice
represented the county In the Legislature.
When Mr.. Macy removed to Indianapolis.
in 1852. he became again interested In rail-
road building. but in q business way. He
became president of the Peru a. Indianap-
oils railrosd in 1855. and made it prosper
Gus. In 1870. be aided TO build the line be-
tween Michigan City and Indianapolis. and
in the next year the new line between
LaPOrto and Peru was acquired
and the roads consolidated under the
name of the Indianapolis, Peru a. Chicago
Railway Company. Mr.. Macy resigned the
presidency OF the road in 1880, but con-
times in the directory for several years.
He became interested in banking in 1876,
and organized the Merchants National
Bank. of which he became president. He
continued In this position until 1889, when
he resigned, and had since led q retired
life. His careful business habits. his
fidelity, coupled with superior executive
ability and keennes of mind, enabled hill
to amass a large fortune. During his life
he was the holder of many private trusts.
and handled millions of dollars for others
with sterling integrity.
The Macy family is one of the oldest in
America. The family-tree has been traced
back to 1886. David Mays seventh an
cester, Thomas Macy, lived in Essex, Mass,
in the eighteenth century. but was driven
out after a trial for hsrboring two Quakers
from persecution. He went to Nantucket.
in company with others, and purchased
the island. The family has since spread
all over the United States, M 10 well
known In Indiana.