Donaldson and Almeda Trone  

Peter B. Trone. - A representative citizen of Indianapolis who for many years has been particularly active in the insurance field, is Peter B. Trone, secretary and treasurer of the Indiana Travelers Accident & Health Association, maintaining his offices in the Meyer-Kiser Bank building, this city.

He was born in Saline county, Missouri, May 10, 1863, son of Rev. Peter H. and Eliza W. (Clark) Trone, born near Fredericksburg, Virginia. His father in early manhood, learned the black smith trade, later taught school and then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a man of sterling character and mental capacity, respected and esteemed wherever known. In 1889, when his friend the late Hon. Champ Clark, was speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, he filled the office of chaplain of that legislative body. Although life experiences and association all through with intelligent, well informed people, have left no traces of early educational neglect

Peter B. Trone had but few school advantages in boyhood. As the seventh born in a family of eleven children, when fourteen years old he had to become more than self supporting and no longer could even irregularly pursue his studies in the little old brown schoolhouse, two and a half miles distant from his home.

In 1887 he visited Frankfort, Indiana, then spent five years in Kansas City, Missouri, at the end of which time he came to Indianapolis, and subsequently, for twenty- three years, was a commercial traveler, in this connection covering a wide territory, and while attending to business, cementing friendships that have ever since continued.

In 1910, after long identification with its affairs, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Indiana Travelers Accident & Health Association, and for the past fourteen years has devoted himself closely to the interests of this corporation.

September 18, 1888, he married Miss Eleanora Green, of Frankfort, Indiana, daughter of Col. John B. Green, a prominent citizen of Indiana, and they have two children: Margaret, who is the wife of F. S. Severns, of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance company; and Donald Green Trone, graduate of Butler College and president of the college alumni, who is business manager of his father's company.

Mr. Trone is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Travelers' Protective Association, the Elks and the Columbia and Optimist clubs. - -History of Indiana From Its Exploration to 1922 With an Account of Indianapolis and Marion County Vol. IV by Logan Esarey Dayton Historical Publishing Co 1924

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Around the turn of the century the Peter B. Trone family of Indianapolis arrived at the Vandalia station in Culver for a vacation on Lake Makinkuckee. Going by boat to the southeast side of the lake, they felt isolated without any concenient transportation.

The next summer they decided they would have their own horse and buggy. Chosen to drive the buggy the 110 miles from Indianapolis was ten year old Donaldson G. Trone. He, along with a buddy, made the trip in three days, meeting his parents when the arrived on train.

As the years passed, Don Trone decided he would one day own a home on the lake. After World War I, he found he had enough to put a down payment on a cottage. So it was In February 1923, that he began what would be almost 50 years as an active member of the Culver community.

In 1927 he married Almeda Daum of Columbus. While they continued to reside in Indianapolis, they opened the cottage early in the spring and closed it in the fall.

The Trones had one son Peter D., who also spent his early summers on the lake. His first solo trip to Culver was not by buggy, but on the old "Doodlebug" passenger train!

Don Trone had a deep interest in the preservation and orderly development of the lake and community. He served as president of the East Shore Lane Neighborhood Association; as president and secretary treasurer of the of the Lake Maxinkuckee Association. which he helped found; and was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Maxinkuckee Yacht Club.

Although very active in the American Legion, Don Trone never joined the Culver W. A. Fleet Post. He had a good reason The buddy who helped drive the buggy from Indianapolis was killed in World War I. One of the first legion posts was named for that buddy, Bruce Robinson, and Don was a charter member.

In 1949, having tired of the many trips to and from Indianapolis, the Trones decided to make Culver their permanent home. They purchased a business building at 116 North Main Street in Culver , and opened the "Don Trone Shop", a ladies war and gift shop.

Don Trone had been a Republican precinct committeeman since before he was old enough to vote. He continued his activism in Marshall county, usually preferring to work behind the scenes. For several years he served on the County Tax Adjustment Board.

After surviving a serious heart attack in 1964 Don Trone died in 1970.

Almeda D. Trone, who still resided in the family home at 2324 East Shore Lane, was the manager of the Don Trone Shop until selling the building in 1978. She has been an active member of the Culver City club, American Legion Auxiliary, the Holy Cross Parkview Hospital Axillary, and the East Shore Lane Neighborhood Association. She attends Trinity Lutheran Church - Peter Trone. - - History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 - (Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422) Marshall County Historical Society pg 429-30

The Deseret News 9 Oct 1947 Salt Lake City, Utah pg. 3 Republicans...Governor Gates accompanied by Donaldson G. Trone, chairman, United Finance Committee of Indiana...

in 1949 Donaldson Trone opened up the 'Don Trone Shop' in Downtown Culver

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