From Whitley County’s Most Prominent Law Firm: Honest, Humble, and Hardworking
by Rachael Hartman, Whitley County Historical Museum curator
Within the walls of what is colloquially known as the Clugston building, located at 201 W. Van Buren St., was one of the most prominent law firms of its time in the area. On the second floor was the law offices of Marshall, McNagny and Clugston. In its peak, it was handling half of the law cases in Whitley County. Some may know this law firm because of its connection to one of Whitley County’s most prominent historical figures – Indiana Governor and Vice President Thomas Riley Marshall. But, are you familiar with one of the law firm’s other prominent creators William McNagny?
Here is an excerpt telling McNagny’s story from “Local Legends Vol. 1”, a book highlighting well-known individuals from Whitley County. These books are available at the Whitley County Historical Museum.
“He (William McNagny) was born April 19, 1850, and grew up on the family farm. He attended the area country schools before completing two terms at Springfield Academy, which was located in South Whitley.
“William McNagny had a thirst for knowledge. He spent a great deal of time reading and studying all he could. He passed on his knowledge as a teacher for a time. He eventually took a position as an agent for the Pennsylvania Company, a major holding company, which had a location in Larwill. It was here that McNagny began to study law.
“He put his learning into practice after passing the bar in 1875. Soon after that, Judge Joseph W. Adair made a motion for McNagny to be able to practice law in the Whitley County Circuit Court, which was passed September 6, of that year. Following this, McNagny was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Indiana and the United States.
“His law career first began when he opened a firm with James A. Campbell. This was dissolved though when Campbell moved to Albion.
“McNagny had become acquainted with Thomas R. Marshall, and together had opened their own practice by 1878. They were joined in 1890 by Philemon H. Clugston. The first office was located in the Central Building in downtown Columbia City before soon moving to the second floor of the Clugston building (built by D.B. Clugston). Philemon Clugston was named mayor in 1890, and left the practice, but returned after resigning from office.
“Throughout this time, the law firm was gaining a high reputation, and called upon to cover many cases. One report had the practice handling 50 percent of cases to the court. This may be due in part to the work McNagny and Marshall did in 1879 representing George Ward, a man who was given defense by the firm after he had killed his son. The defense had lost, but it was the opinion of the public the defense given was fair.
“Perhaps also contributing to this reputation was the work done by McNagny as a member of the prosecution team in the trial of Charles Butler. Butler, who had been arrested in the murder of his wife in Kosciusko County, had his case moved to Whitley County due to concerns of having a fair trial. McNagny’s arguments, in the eyes of the public, helped secure Butler’s guilty verdict, and the case gave prominence to McNagny’s firm.
“In his personal life, McNagny married Effie J. Wunderlich on October 20, 1880. Together they had two sons – Rob R. and Phil M.
“Then in 1893, McNagny was elected to the U.S. Congress, per the democratic vote in the 12th District. With this election, McNagny had left the firm he had managed with Marshall and Clugston. Sadly, within his first year in Congress, his wife became ill with appendicitis and passed away within a few days.
“McNagny served for two years before returning home. He continued to practice law with Marshall and Clugston until 1908. Clugston, who was in failing health, had left the practice. Marshall had been elected governor of Indiana. With its closure, McNagny opened a practice with his two sons, which remained in operation until his death.
“Through his life, McNagny was a Masonic member and a Knight Templar, as well as dean of the local bar association. He had a passion for the liberal arts, and was director for the library board, and remained a member until he passed away on August 24, 1923.
“His funeral was kept simple, per his wishes. Reverend Cortland Miller (with Grace Lutheran Church) conducted the service. Marshall was an honorary pall bearer, with active pall bearers being D.V. Whiteleather (Columbia City), Judge James H. Rose (Fort Wayne), Judge L.W. Royce (Warsaw), Judge L.H. Wrigley (Albion) and Judge Francis Bowser (Warsaw). These names are a testament to the impact McNagny had on Whitley County and the surrounding areas – a reputation as an honest man, hard worker, humble and kind.”
𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑾𝒆: 𝑨𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚
Strands of DNA, flowers and torches seem to top this building.
201 West Van Buren is now home to Scientific & Regulatory Consultants (SRC). This Victorian Gothic style block was designed to house the Clugston Dry Goods store by Fort Wayne architects Wing and Mahurin in 1889. Clugston was the head of one of the most prominent families in the city.
The façade of the building is dominated by a steeply-raked central gable which rises above a corbel frieze. The large round-arched windows which fill the flanking bays have tympana worked in a basket-weave pattern above the paired windows which belonged to the offices of the Marshall, Clugston, McNagny law firm.
Current occupants, SRC, did extensive repair and renovations on the building bringing the front windows back to their full height and enhancing our historic square.
Thank you to Nathan Bilger for providing the recent photos and valuable insights into the architectural history.
For more Columbia City History, check out the Windows into History series at the Columbia City Connect’s website: Windows into History Archives – Columbia City Connect
