Richard Fisher is a young farmer of Bartholomew county, yet has attained success in his business affairs that many an older man might envy. He was born in Flat Rock township, on the 12th of September, 1871, and is a son of William H. and Armilda (Carter) Fisher. The father was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, and the mother's birth occurred in Flat Rock township, Bartholomew county. In early life William H. Fisher engaged in farming, following that pursuit for some time, but in later years he turned his attention to merchandising and for twenty-two years has been employed as a salesman in a hardware and implement store owned by the firm of Griffith & Keller, in Columbus. Certainly no higher testimonial of his capability and his fidelity to duty could be given than the fact that he has been so long retained in this one position. At the time of the Civil War he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by joining the army, with which he served until after the cessation of hostilities, being a loyal soldier, who never faltered in his allegiance to the cause which he espoused, nor hesitated in the performance of any duty assigned him. He votes with the Republican party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He is a man well liked by all, his social and genial nature and his deference for the opinions of others winning him popularity and friendship.
Richard Fisher, whose name forms the caption of this review, is an only child. He spent his boyhood days under the paternal roof and is indebted to the public school system of the county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his boyhood. After attaining to years of maturity he was married on the 23d of December, 1896, to Miss Estelle Thompson, a daughter of Archie and Elizabeth J. (Keller) Thompson. Mrs. Fisher was born on the 1st of December, 1875, and is a most estimable lady, well known in this locality. Her father was born January 9, 1821, and is one of the oldest residents of Bartholomew county. He is also a native of the state, his birth having occurred in Washington county. In his business he has prospered and has long been accounted one of the wealthy farmers of Columbus township. His education was limited to the privileges afforded by the common schools, and he received no financial assistance as he started out in life for himself. He realized, however, that earnest labor is the source of all prosperity and by his diligence, perserversance and economy he gradually worked himself upward. Year by year he added to his possessions and his farm products, finding a ready sale on the market, brought to him a good financial return. On the 25th of February, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Keller and unto them have been born fourteen children: William F., who was born July 7, 1851, and died on the 5th of July of the same year??; Martha A., born September 7, 1852; Mary J., born March 8, 1854; Susan H., born October 12, 1855; James B., born October 12, 1857; Adaline, who was born December 22, 1858, and died on the 9th of August, 1861; Elenora, born April 1, 1863; Josephine, born April 25, 1865; Leona, born September 22, 1867; Vinnie, born December 14, 1869; Bessie, who was born December 1, 1871, and died September 21, 1872; Emma, who was born October 2, 1873, and died on the 23d of December 1874, and Estelle, who is the wife of Mr. Fisher. Mr. Thompson has always been a Democrat in his political affiliations, has taken an active part in political affairs and has been honored with a number of public offices, to which he has been called by his fellow townsmen, who recoginzed his worth and ability. He has served as justice of the peace, has been county treasurer and also county commissioner. He has always been a public spirited citizen, deeply interested in whatever has pertained to the welfare and progress of the county, giving a generous and helpful support to all measures for the public good. His life has been of benefit to his fellow men, as well as to himself, and he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote public progress while advancing individual success.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have five hundred and seventy-six acres of well cultivated land, much of which she inherited from her father. The entire tract is cultivated with the exception of forty acres of timber land. Mr. Fisher raises stock, making a specialty of shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus cattle, Poland China hogs and Shorpshire sheep. He employs five men throughout the year and his annual payroll amounts to from one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. Fisher is a young man of excellent business ability, quick to note and utilize an opportunity and possessing excellent executive power. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher has been blessed with three children: Elizabeth, who was born September 27, 1897; Dorothy, born September 12, 1901, and William A., born April 25, 1903. Mr. Fisher and his wife are very widely and favorably known in Bartholomew county, and the circle of their friends is continually increasing as the circle of their acquaintance is enlarged. Mr. Fisher votes with the Republican party and is deeply interested in political questions, yet he has never aspired to office. He holds membership in the Christian church and is justly regarded as one of the leading young farmers of his native county.