FOOTSTEPS IN HISTORY

 

How well do you know White County history

1) Who is this guy from Monticello? He played professional football back in the 1940s.

2) In 1948, Dr. Hobart Fairfield, a long-time veterinarian, sold his business building that housed the Main Café on South Main Street in Monticello to Dr. H.G. Gable. He also sold his home at 427 West Broadway and veterinary practice. Who did he sell his home and practice to?

ANSWERS

1) Who is this guy from Monticello? He played professional football back in the 1940s. Answer: This is John George Kovatch, Jr. John was an American football end in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers. He was born in South Bend, Indiana. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the 13th round of the 1942 NFL Draft. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in journalism and from Purdue University with a degree in forestry. John was employed by RCA in Monticello and was a World War II Marine veteran. John died at age 92. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Kovatch, and son. Paul Kovatch. Paul died in Seattle, Washington, in 2009. Betty died in 2008.

 

2) In 1948, Dr. Hobart Fairfield, a long-time veterinarian, sold his business building that housed the Main Café on South Main Street in Monticello to Dr. H.G. Gable. He also sold his home at 427 West Broadway and veterinary practice. Who did he sell his home and practice to? Answer: Veterinarian Dr. Fairchild sold his home and practice to Dr. Charles L. Lindborg! This is how the Lindborgs came to town. Dr. Lindborg (OSU ‘45), 83, Monticello, died Sept. 1, 2004. Prior to retirement in 1990, he practiced in Monticello for 42 years. Early in his career, Dr. Lindborg practiced in Philadelphia for a year and served on the faculty of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a past president of the Indiana VMA and the West Central Indiana VMA, and a charter member of the Indiana Academy of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lindborg served on the admissions committee of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. He was a contributing author to the book “One Hundred Years of Veterinary Medicine in Indiana.