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Feature Article on Lafayette M.
Studevant. Topic: PEOPLE
Written by Rich Wallace in
December, 1996
PEOPLE'S BUILDING PRODUCT OF CITY MAN'S VISION |
Only the most observant reader of the Sidney Journal on
October 22, 1886, would have noticed the short announcement. The Peoples Savings and Loan
Association would open its doors the next day for business. From that inauspicious
beginning, through the completion of its Louis Sullivan-designed building (shown above) in
1918, to its 110th birthday this week, the institution now known as the Peoples Federal
Savings and Loan Association has occupied a unique place in our history.
At the time that Sullivan was
commissioned to create the design, Peoples occupied a relatively new and perfectly
suitable building at the same location. The proposal to demolish it and construct a daring
new edifice created quite a controversy in Sidney. One leader had the foresight and
determination to forge ahead despite the protests. He was practiced in the arts of
leadership and innovation. This is his story.
Lafayette Merrick Studevant was born the son of a Whitley County, Indiana cabinetmaker
in 1858. His parents had five children, but as was unfortunately somewhat typical of the
times, only Lafayette lived past the age of five. Little is known concerning his
childhood. After some earlier schooling, he attended a commercial college. By the age of
21, Studevant had found his way to Sidney. He landed his first job as a printer for Trego
and Binkley at the Sidney Journal.
After saving a modest sum of money, he journeyed to Columbus Grove, Ohio, where he
worked as editor of the local newspaper, the Columbus Grove News. Apparently,
things did not go well. Studevant returned to Sidney after two years. He returned to
school and this time concentrated on accounting.
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