"The efforts of John W. Redman, well known furniture dealer and undertaker at Dana Indiana and formerly joint representative to the Indiana legislature, has proven of the greatest value to his fellow citizens as well as to himself. He has shaped his career along worthy lines, and his efforts have been discerningly directed along well defined channels of endeavor. He is a man of distinct individuality, of marked sagacity, of undaunted enterprise, and in manner he is genial, courteous and easily approached. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world and his activity in industrial, commercial and civic circles forms no unimportant chapter in the history of Vermillion county.
"Mr. Redman was born in Helt township, Vermillion County, Indiana, January 25 1855. He is the son of Wesley and Martha Wishard Redman, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. Wesley Redman was young in years when he came with his father and settled in Helt township, this county, two and one-half miles east of Dana, where the family became well established and well known. The father of the subject devoted his life to general farming and stock raising. His death occurred in 1855, when his son, John W., was but nine months old. The mother survived until October 8, 1866, passing away when the subject was eleven years old. Two children were born to Wesley Redman and wife, Margaret J., who married J. P. Merriweather, is deceased, and John W. of this review.
"John W. Redman was educated in the common schools of Helt township, also spent one year in Bloomingdale Academy and three months in commercial college at Terre Haute. He began life for himself as a general farmer, which he continued for several years, then went into the furniture and undertaking business, at Dana, which has has continued with ever-increasing success to the present time, having been thus engaged since July 20, 1876. He draws his customers from over a very wide territory. He always carries an excellent and up-to-date line of furniture, and promptness and high grade service as an undertaker in his aim.
"Mr. Redman was married on November 13, 1877 to Maria Taylor, daughter of Samuel and Nancy E. Henderson Taylor. The father died in 1869. The mother, who makes her home with the subject, has attained the advanced age of ninety-two years, and is in very good health. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Redman, Charles W., born December 10, 1878, died August 8, 1886, when six years old, and Claude M., born October 27, 1880, married Elsie Pauley, daughter of W. H. Pauley and wife; two children have been born to them, Edward, whose birth occurred on October 27, 1903, and Francis, who was born on June 5, 1906."