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Thomas H. Dawley
THE SHELBY DEMOCRAT
February 20, 1879
VOL. 1; No. 37
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from the article, SMILING SHELBYVILLE!
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Thomas H. Dawley
This firm is composed of John T. Bruce and Thomas H. Dawley, who are
carrying on a general lightning rod business in this county and Southeastern
Indiana generally.
Thomas H. Dawley was born in Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, in the year
1836. He started out in business life quite young. When but fourteen years
of age he entered upon the duties of clerk in a dry goods store in Ripley,
Ohio. After remaining in that position for four years he went West traveling
for a wholesale house. He made his headquarters for four years at Fort
Dodge, Iowa, and three years in the State of California. He then entered the
service of Uncle Sam, in the First California Cavalry. After his term of
service, something over three years, he went to St. Louis, where he soon
obtained a position as traveler for a large wholesale patent medicine and
drug furnishing house. After remaining with this firm for some time, he came
to this State. He then engaged in the lightning rod business, which he
carried on for about six years in Indianapolis and Greensburg. He came to
this city and worked for some time, and in January, 1878, a partnership was
formed between him and Mr. Bruce for the purpose of carrying on a general
lightning rod business. (Some points relative to the life of Mr. Bruce will
be found in another column.) This firm has been very successful, having put
up during the last year many thousands of feet of lightning rods. They deal
in all kinds of copper rods and fixtures. The importance of having buildings
well guarded with lightning rods often occurs to the owners only after such
buildings have been "struck." This is not wise. There is no use in locking
the stable after your horse has been stolen. You should be prepared for such
emergencies. The office of Bruce & Dawley is on the second floor of the Wise
building; in the room with O. J. Glessner. In the absence of
Mr. Dawley, who
travels most of the time, Mr. Bruce will cheerfully answer all questions in
regard to their business. Orders by mail receive prompt attention.
Next biography in the "Smiling Shelbyville" newspaper article, John
T. Bruce.
Contributed by Jeanne Surber
Biography Index Main Page