BIOGRAPHY OF ELI A. LUGINBILL
From Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana
By Tyndall & Lesh – 1918
Page 870

ELI A LUGINBILL

One of the factors in the business prosperity of the flourishing town of Berne is Mr. Luginbill, now manager, secretary and treasurer of the Berne Grain & Hay Company. This has been his chief business connection for the past eight or nine years, and prior to that he was an active and energetic clerk and merchant in the hardware lines. He has combined energy with good judgment and has been largely responsible for the success and prosperity of his present company.

This business was incorporated in 1901, and the head of the company is now D. C. Springer, president. With the rapid growth and development of the business at Berne a similar enterprise has been established at Geneva in Adams County, which is run and operated by the same board of directors. At Berne the company has ample facilities for the storage and marketing or many carloads of grain every year, and much of the field produce raised in and around this town finds its outlet to market through this company. They also handle large quantities of field seed, hay, straw, flour, salt, coal and other kindred supplies.

Mr. Luginbill was elected secretary and treasurer of this company on May 15, 1909. During the preceding fourteen years he had been associated with the Bumgardner Brothers & Company, hardware merchants at Berne. He started with that firm in 1895, and finally disposed of his interests a short time before taking over his present responsibilities. Mr. Luginbill has been a resident of Berne since 1891 and represents one of the pioneer families of that old Swiss and Mennonite community. However, he was born in Hickory County, Missouri, December 20, 1868, during a brief residence of his parents in that section.

Mr. Luginbill married at Berne Ella G. Neuenschwander. She was born at Berne, daughter of Christian A. Neuenschwander. This family also have had a prominent part in the various businesses and civic activities of Berne, and further mention of them will be found on other pages. Four children have been born to Mr. And Mrs. Luginbill: Paul, Anna, Arthur and Carl, all now attending the local schools. Politically Mr. Luginbill is independent.