VERMILION, James EVerett - Putnam

The best history of a community or state is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their own endeavors and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and among his contemporaries .has achieved marked success in the business world, the name of James Everett Vermilion, Greencastle merchant, being honored by all owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry. Mr. Vermilion was born November II, 1869, in Greencastle and here he received his education, graduating from the public schools in 1886, after which he entered DePauw University, where he made a good record, but did not finish the course. Deciding to enter the law, he went to Wichita, Kansas, and studied law under his uncle for a year, but, not taking as kindly to the legal profession as he had anticipated, he returned to Greencastle and after a short time went to Indianapolis where he took a business course, after which he came back to his native city and clerked in his father's store until the latter's death, at which time he purchased the interests of the other heirs and has since been in full charge. He has built up a very extensive and lucrative patronage with the city and surrounding country, which is continuously increasing, his store being one of the finest, neatest and best kept in the city. He carries a full line of dry goods, carpets, ready-to-wear goods for ladies, and many kindred lines, of the best quality, all carefully selected and sold at reasonable prices. His store is the gathering place for rural visitors from all parts of the county and here they always find courteous and considerate treatment. Mr. Vermilion is a Republican and he has manifested considerable interest in local affairs for some time, always ready to do anything he could for the betterment of Greencastle and vicinity. For two years he very ably served as city councilman from the second ward. He is a member of the Christian church, and he is leading knight of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; he is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias ; he also holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Before the Spanish-American war he was second lieutenant of Company I, First Regiment, Indiana National Guard. On June 12, 1895, Mr. Vermilion married Maude Wolfe, the refined and popular daughter of Dr. William and Belle (Porter) Wolfe, an excellent family of Brazil, Indiana where Mrs. Vermilion was a social favorite.  One child has graced this union, named Hazel, now attending school. – kbz