J. B. Palmer
J. B. Palmer, of the firm of Palmer & Owen, carriage manufacturers of Lima, is a native of Columbus, Indiana, and was born in 1859. His father, George W. Palmer, is still a resident of Columbus and is now in his 87th year. He has been one of the leading citizens of Bartholomew County, was treasurer of the county for two terms and was employed to rewrite the records of the county, a task which required two years of hard work to complete. He was employed in the pension office for 16 years.
When J. B. Palmer was a lad of 14 years, he went to Rochester, New York, where he entered a carriage-shop and learned how to manufacture a buggy and carriage from the raw material. He was with the James Cunningham, Son Company for two years and then worked at different places throughout the United States until 1899, when he came to Lima and formed a partnership with M. D. Owen. They opened a factory at the rear of No. 121-123 West Market Street, where they make a specialty of manufacturing first-class buggies and carriages. During the six years since their establishment they have done a good business, having a splendid local trade and extending their sales into the surrounding territory. They have the name in the State and merit the large patronage accorded them.
In 1887, Mr. Palmer was married to Caroline Kaiser, whose father is Henry Kaiser, of the Henry Kaiser Buggy Company, of Kenton, Ohio. Their only child is Pauline Marie. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Lima.