Background
Fortune, William was born on May 27, 1863 in Boonville, Indiana, United States. Son of William H. and Mary (St. Clair) Fortune.
Fortune, William was born on May 27, 1863 in Boonville, Indiana, United States. Son of William H. and Mary (St. Clair) Fortune.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Indiana University, 1938.
City editor Indianapolis Journal, 1886-1888. Editorial writer Indianapolis News, 1888-1890. Founder Municipal Engineering Magazine, 1890.
President Indianapolis Telephone Сompany, 1908-1923. Served as chairman finance committee and director Eli Lilly & Company, 1913-1927. President New Long Distance Tel.
Company, also several other phone companies. President Interstate Life Assurance Company, 1908-1909. Originator of Commercial Club, 1890, which marked a new era in development of Indianapolis (secretary 1890-1895, vice president 1895-1897, president 1897-1898).
Executive director G.A.R. National Encampment, Indianapolis, 1893. Originator, 1892, Indiana Good Roads Movement. Member committee of 3 that had charge of relief of over 5,000 unemployed in Indianapolis, winter of 1894.
Originator Indiana State Board of Commerce, 1894 (president, 1897, 1898, 1899). Chairman Chamber of Commerce Elevated R.R. Commission, 1898-1916, which secured abolition of grade crossings in Indianapolis, etc. Chairman Executive Committee for reorganization of county and township governments in Indiana in 1899, reducing expenses $3,000,000 first year.
Presented with loving cup, 1898, by 100 citizens of Indianapolis, headed by Benjamin Harrison, “in recognition of services in promoting the general welfare of the city.” Chairman committee in charge of dinner given by friends throughout the country in honor of James Whitcomb Riley in last year of poet’s life. Purchased James Whitcomb Riley’s old home, on Lockerbie Street, Indianapolis, April 1920, as a memorial to the poet until the property could be taken over by the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association.
Member committee of 3 that had charge of relief of over 5,000 unemployed in Indianapolis, winter of 1894. Member American Red Cross Tornado Relief Committee for Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, for administration of relief fund of $3,000,000, 1925. Member of National Central Committee, American Red.
Cross, since 1932, and. Fellow Royal Society of Arts (London, England), American Geography Society. Elected November 1928, successor to Senator Theodore E. Burton as 16th national president American Peace Society, founded in 1828.
Donor of 30-acre site in Riverside Park for United States Veterans Hospital, Indianapolis, 1930. First to receive annual citation by Indianapolis Kiwanis.
Married May Knubbe, November 25, 1884 (died 1898). Children: Russell, Evelyn (Mistress.