In early 2006, the Montgomery Ruritan Club was recognized by Ruritan National for 45 years of service to the Montgomery area and the Daviess County Community. The Montgomery Ruritan Club was chartered in December of 1960 with 29 area men signing the original club charter. Pictured above, left to right, making the presentation was Indiana Zone 2 Governor Doyle Cox of Otwell. Receiving the document of recognition were original charter members Bernard Duncheon, Jim O’Brian and Chris O’Brian. Joe Traylor of Montgomery and Thomas F. Jones of Rogers, Arkansas, also charter members were unable to attend. Of the original 29 charter members, only four are still active members. Other charter members now deceased include Joseph M. Arvin, Harold Perkins, Charles J. Steiner, Charles M. Hart, Clarence Stoll, Herschel Oberst, Odius Hinkle, John E. Walker, Loren W. Yoder, Leo F. Ryan, James C. Parsons, Fred W. Hoffman, Charles R. McCormick, William I. Feagans, James R. Rust, Albert Wagler, Ray McCracken, Harlan Hindman, Robert H. Clark, Malen J. Miller, Fred P. Murphy, John Haag, Virgil Clements and Walter Downey.

Eight of the original charter signers have served as club president beginning with Joseph M. Arvin (1961), Harold Perkins (1962), Thomas F. Jones (1963), Charles J. Steiner (1964), Joe Traylor (1965), Charles M. Hart (1966), Chris O’Brian (1969), and Jim O’Brian (1973).