Club History

Pictured above are the founding fathers of Madison County Fish and Game. These men helped start Madison County Fish and Game back in 1945.

Standing left to right: R.O. Whitacker, P.O. Harbage, Horace Hume, Paul Sanford, Floyd Hilman, Robert Tanner, Ned Speasmaker, Tom Wood, Urlick “Butch” Baurle, Gus Catonzaro, Kenny “Pappy” Johnson. Seated in chairs left to right: Marcus Cornwell, Robert Conner, Dean Reese, Eddie Shaw.

Picture was originally taken July 13, 1948, at Tom Wood’s cottage, Madison Lake.

History about the founding fathers:

• R. O. Whitacker: had the car lot on the corner of Old Springfield Road and North Main Street across from the hospital.

• Horace Hume: had a hardware store in the Murray Building on East High Street.

• Robert Tanner: farmed on Springvalley Road.

• Gus Catanzaro: owned the London Fruit Market on East High Street. 

• Kenny “Pappy” Johnson: was a deputy sheriff. He also had a store on West High Street where PNC bank is now. He also sold bait and tackle at Madison Lake at Tom Wood’s cabin.

• Marcus Cornwell: ran a loan company on South Main Street next to Starr Trophy.

• Eddie Shaw: had a plumbing and heating business. He bought it from Jack Raub’s dad and passed it to his son.

• Ned Speasmaker and Urlich Bauerle: were neighboring farmers. Their farms butted up to the lake.

• P. O. Harbage: was a farmer from West Jefferson.