Mayor Ernest E. Noble
Picturing the Past
Story and photos: Mayor Greg Wright
Longtime Princeton businessman Ernest E. Noble became the thirteenth mayor of Princeton in 1917. Mayor Noble was one of only a few mayors to expire in office, having served for only one year. In 1917, the GOP party won every major election seat in the city including Charles McCormick as Clerk Treasurer. Noble was the owner and operator of Noble Plumbing and Heating company which he opened here in 1906. Noble moved his family to Princeton from Terre Haute, in 1893, to become foreman of the copper, steam fitting, and sheet metal division at the Southern Shops. Several businesses and landmark buildings in Princeton were all built with plumbing and steam fitting done by Noble Plumbing and Heating, including his supervision of the construction of the new high school in 1913. After only 12 months serving as the city of Princeton’s highest official, Mr. Noble became victim of the 1918 flu pandemic. The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history killing at least 50 million people worldwide with about 670,000 fatalities in the United States alone. Ironically, Mayor Noble who was a past Exalted Ruler of the Princeton Elks Club, was instrumental in securing the Elks Home for overflow patients during the pandemic due to the local hospital being full. The Red Cross cared for patients throughout town in other “make shift hospitals”. The January 6th, 1919, City Council meeting was the last meeting attended by Mayor Noble. He left that night with a “chill” and never left his bedroom. E.E. Noble died on Wednesday, January 15th, 1919. Immediately, City Councilman C.A. Shubart, who also ran the Shubart Photography Studio, was designated to replace Noble as the new 14th Mayor of Princeton.
Colvin Funeral Home 425 North Main Street Princeton, IN 47670 812-385-5221
The 13th Mayor of Princeton: Ernest E. Noble.
~ The Andy Griffith Quiz ~
1. What was Andy’s middle name? A. Lawson B. Jackson C. Paul D. Philip For answers see page 24
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2. What are the school colors for Mayberry Union High? A. Black & Red B. Orange & Blue C. Green & Yellow D. Orange & BLack 3. Andy and Opie like to fish at _____ _____ . A. Lake Loon Preserve B. The Great Dismal Swamp C. Meyer’s Lake D. Long Silvers for John answers see page 26
Corn-Colvin Funeral Home 323 North Main Street Oakland City, IN 47660 812-749-4021
Directors: Richard D. Hickrod and Mark R. Walter
Small Town Living
December 2021
Page 15
