Dunbar - John W "Jack"
JOHN W. "Jack" DUNBAR
Written by Judge Claybaugh 1913. Colfax, Indiana
Written by Judge Claybaugh 1913. Colfax, Indiana
Note: Picture of Jack and others at work - thanks Mary Jo
DUNBAR, J.W. (John William Dunbar) *********************
This is often called the automobile age, and such a phrase
is not at all far-fetched, for during the past few years, we
have seen the automobile almost relegate the horse to the rear,
at least in many sections of the country. It is a time saver,
and, since time is money, as the wise Franklin said, the auto
is therefore a money saver and a money maker, and the pleasure
in owning and operating one is not to be overlooked. The man
who has become familiar with the automobile business in any
of its phases is sure of a livelihood nowadays. A great many
people know how to start and stop an auto, thinking that nothing
else is required but everybody who owns, operates or has anything
to do with one should know its mechanism, its possibilities
and limitations, for many reasons. The machine handled by an
expert will last much longer than one handled by a novice, besides
the trouble that is to be expected if one knows little about
them. It is safe to say that no man in Clinton County is more
of an automobile expert than J.W.Dunbar, proprietor of the popular
Dunbar garage at the city of Colfax. He became interested in
them at the start. Began studying them from every viewpoint
and is now one of the most thoroughly up to date automobile
men in the state; in fact, he is one of the pioneers in the
automobile business, and he constructed one of the first machines
to be built in Indiana. He has been an expert mechanic for many
years, and his long experience in the study and operation of
the automobile makes his ideas exceptionally valuable. He understands
all the details and mechanical workings of the different makers,
from start to finish, and is very thorough in all his work and
every job he turns out is done in the best possible manner and
may be depended on to be all right in every detail. His repair
work on machines for years has been regarded as far above the
average and he has had all the work he could turn out, many
of his patrons coming from long distances, and they are never
disappointed with the results. His aim is ever - accuracy and
promptness. His large, modernly equipped and convenient garage
building is twenty by eighty feet, is one-story annex, well
adapted in every way for the purposes to which it is put. Also
adjoining is a substantial two-story brick, forty by forty feet,
which is devoted to his work in this line. He is prepared to
promptly repair any make of machine, and he keeps all kinds
of repairs and accessories to be found in the best garages and
automobile repair shops everywhere. He has an extensive trade
in Indianapolis and Washington, Indiana, having been at one
time foreman of a large machine shop in the latter town. Mr.
Dunbar was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, January 28, 1863.
He received a common school education, and in his earlier life
engaged in farming and merchandising in Wright County, Iowa,
and met with encouraging success at both. When a young man he
learned the machinist's trade, and at the age of twenty-two
was quite proficient in iron and steel work. He married Ida
BLACKER, and of this union one son, John Marion, has been born.
Politically, Mr. Dunbar has been more or less active in public
affairs. He was formerly a member of the town board and was,
at one time, marshal of the city of Colfax, performing his duty
in a manner that met with general satisfaction to all concerned.
Note: Mr. Dunbar moved to Boone County along Sugar Creek, 3
miles west of Thorntown, IN. December 1933, J.W. married Josephine
A. Clouser. Four children were born to this union: Charles Richard
b. Feb 4, 1936; Julia Ann b. Feb 7, 1938; Mary Jo b. Nov 15,
1939; Regina Louise b. May 17, 1942. J.W. “Jack” died Feb 18,
1952 at 89 years of age and is buried at Plainview Cemetery,
Colfax IN. Source: Pages 518 - 519 History of Clinton County,
Indiana..With Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens
and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon.
Joseph Claybaugh. Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company -
Indianapolis Like · Reply · 12 mins Manage Karen Zach Karen
Zach The Colfax Standard Vol 17 Colfax, Indiana Friday April,
23 1909 NO 40 REO TOURING CAR $1000 I am selling the REO Car
because I have tested it thoroughly and all things considered,
believe it to be the cheapest and most practical car on the
market. It embodies speed, safety, durability and economy and
has the get there qualities at a very low cost for upkeep. Do
not take my word for it. The REO is on exhibition in my Ga-
rage and I have already placed three of them in this vicinity.
Come in and see the Reo; take a ride in it and let me demon-
strate the facts. Hear what purchasers say about this car. If
you want a satisfactory machine, you’ll buy the REO. REO Runabout
for only $500 J.W. DUNBAR AGENT __________________________________________________________
We Register High In Gasoline World ____
The neighboring town of Darlington is a beautiful little city
as clean and well-kept as a hound’s tooth and they have a civic
pride that is commendable. For all this we admire them and give
them full credit but when they go to claiming the automobile
belt for small towns, we draw the line. The town of Colfax,
County of Clinton SS, in the state of Indiana, defies competition
in this line. Why, man alive, this is the home of the automobile.
Years and years ago when cooks all over the land were learning
that there was motive power in gasoline by pouring it on the
fire, Jack Dunbar knew that that power could be harnessed with
iron and placed on rubber tires. He built the first automobile
in this section of the universe. Later he bought one because
he did not have time to build and now, the town is full of them.
Here is a partial list of automobile owners:
Dr. I.O Lambert
Dr. W.H Wiseheart
Dr. H.J. Coon
L.S Conarroe
John M. Waugh
J.W. Dunbar (2)
A.E. Bundy
V.E. Barnett
Willard Holt
S.G. Rakestraw
John Shriver
Charles Davis
Mose Whitinger
Morton Dunbar
Lew Kirk
Ernest Truitt
James Kirk
William Bundy
Dr. I.O Lambert
Dr. W.H Wiseheart
Dr. H.J. Coon
L.S Conarroe
John M. Waugh
J.W. Dunbar (2)
A.E. Bundy
V.E. Barnett
Willard Holt
S.G. Rakestraw
John Shriver
Charles Davis
Mose Whitinger
Morton Dunbar
Lew Kirk
Ernest Truitt
James Kirk
William Bundy
By the time the paper goes to press there may be several more
for the fever is raging and many are affected.
Thanks muches to Mary Jo Barton, Jack's daughter - he
was a super interesting man and appreciate the share - kbz