29 W. High St., St. Marys, Ohio 45885
The O’Toole Brothers Monument Works was established in the
town of Liberty, Indiana, in 1878 by four brothers: James P.,
Thomas P., John V., and Albert. In 1914 the O’Toole Brothers
constructed a new monument works and showroom, which still stands
and continues to serve.
Grandson of James P. O’Toole, Steven T. O’Toole, now
owns and operates the monument business. The O’Toole family has
been known for their interest in preserving history and maintaining
equipment and buildings handed down through generations. The
showroom remains much today as it did in the early 1900s.
The above photo shows John V. O’Toole ‘cutting in’ a
final date on a monument using a portable gasoline engine and
compressor. The below photo shows James P. O’Toole proudly
standing by a stationery engine which ran an air compressor at the
Liberty, Indiana, business.
The photos are courtesy of Steven O’Toole. Mr. O’Toole
continues to utilize a 1930s model combustion engine and compressor
to perform various monument work and drives a 1955 Ford truck to
his cemetery locations.
A visit to the brothers’ monument works is truly a visit
back into the past. Mr. O’Toole is a most gracious host and
proud of his rich heritage.
