James A. Daugherty, son of  William T. and Sarah E. (Kirtley) Daugherty, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, February 2, 1872.  When a small boy his parents moved to Franklin, and then to Noblesville, Indiana, at the former he attended the graded and at the latter graduated from high school with the highest honors of his class.  Upon leaving high school he came to Indianapolis and took a position with Nordyke & Marmon company, where he remained for twelve years, holding various important positions in the accounting, purchasing, and sales departments.  At the time he left the firm he was in charge of the foreign sales and mill supply departments.  He then became connected with Atlas Engine works, at that time the largest builders of steam engines and boilers in the United States; he was assistant to the general sales manager at the home office for two years, and then was made manager of the Chicago district sales office, and was in Chicago about three years.  Mr. Daugherty then returned to Indianapolis and became sales manger of the Irwin Robbins company, manufacturers of automobile bodies, in which business he has been identified up to the present time. In 1919, it was found necessary to enlarge the business, and Mr. Daugherty was made vice-president and general manager of the Robbins Body corporation, as the firm is now known.  A refinancing plan was consummated that made it possible to expand the business to a great extent, and it has undergone an exceedingly rapid growth, being the largest manufacturer of closed bodies in Indiana.  The company is located at Morris and Division streets.  Mr. Daugherty has always taken an intense interest in civic affairs, such as the war and community chests, Chamber of Commerce, and local labor propositions, and is firm in his belief that Indianapolis is one of the best cities in the world and has a great future before it.  He is a member of the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Columbia, Hoosier Motor and Highland Golf & Country clubs, Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and a Scottish Rite Mason.  He is also a member of the Third Christian Church. On November 9, 1898, he married  Anna E. Wilmington, of Indianapolis and they are the parents of two daughters, Mildred Elizabeth, who attended the Western College for Women, at Oxford, Ohio, and is now the wife of  Edmund H. Emry,  and  Dorthy G., a student at Indiana University.  The family home is at 127 East Forty-fourth street.
History of Indiana From Its Exploration to 1922, With an Account of Indianapolis and Marion County Vol. IV, by Logan Esarey, Dayton Historical Publishing Co., 1924

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