Vigo County Historical Society

Customers sing praises of well-known Tune

Horace E. Tune was an active member of the firm of Tunr Bros., owner and manager of the large clothing store at the corner of Fifth Street and Wabash Avenue. He was a well-known clothier of menswear.

Born Aug. 4, 1867, and raised on a farm in Shelbyville, Tenn., Tune attended the University of Tennessee for two years. He then entered the clothing business n Springfield, Mo., working for Tune-Schneider Clothing Co. until 1896.

He then came to Terre Haute and with this three brothers and John D. Stelle began selling a complete line of men’s furnishings at 515-517 Wabash Ave. He later moved to the corner location to accommodate his flourishing business.

Eventually his brothers left for various ventures, leaving only Tune and Stelle as active members of the organization.

Horace Tune married Estelle Juntgen of Kansas, Ill. He had a keen sense of civic pride and always remained active in affairs related to the advancement and improvement of Terre Haute. He was a Republican member of the Board of Public Safety and the Park Board.

His memberships included the Masonic Circle Lodge 19, Elks, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Sons of the American Revolution.

Tune became president of Morris Plan Bank and was a director of First National Bank of Terre Haute.

After a long and successful career, Horace Tune died on Oct. 15, 1938.

Tune is among those featured in "Some Terre Haute Phizes" a book of caricatures and brief biographies of prominent local people. It is part of the museum’s library.