Civil War: James M. Vickroy

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including portrait; biography of James Vickroy, commercial artist. WABASH VALLEY P R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.James M. Vickroytalented commercial artist, James M. Vickroy founded a fine arts publishing house in downtown Terre Haute in 1885 to create, produce and distribute color lithographs for national fraternal and labor organizations. Registering each original work with the Library of Congress, Vickroy transformed Terre Haute into a national supply center for secret societies and labor unions for 28 years. Today his unique creations are collectible and his name is known from coast to coast. Born Sept. 15, 1847, in Centerville, Pa., Vickroy was a farmer, mailman and general store clerk before settling in Harmony (Clay County), Ind., in 1869 as a building contractor. Soon after his marriage in 1875 to Elnora Nora Boore, he became an agent for M.C. Lilly Co. of Columbus, Ohio, selling swords and charts to fraternal organizations. Possessing appreciable artistic skills, Vickroy soon realized the immense importance of fraternal societies in North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1885 the family relocated to 334 Kent Ave. in Terre Haute and opened Vickroy Art Shop at 911 Wabash Ave., where James published his first 22-inch by 28-inch color lithograph for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The initial product was so successful, he created about three new certificates each year thereafter. Designed to be personalized, each composition was copyrighted and registered with the Library of Congress by James M. Vickroy or J.M. Vickroy Co., Terre Haute, Indiana. By 1900 Vickroy had a network of agents selling products throughout the U.S. and Canada and began publishing books and ledgers for fraternal orders. By 1904 Vickroys popular Condensed Historical and Financial Ledger was used by more than 5,000 lodges nationwide. Vickroys Combination Secretarys Book, containing six generic lodge forms, was also a best seller. Meanwhile, James maintained the exclusive right to market certificates for 28 fraternal orders, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the United Mine Workers of America. Other popular Vickroy lithographs include the Pictorial War Record for Civil War veterans and a variety of genealogical certificates, including Family Record and Afro-American History Record. The local market was not ignored. Vickroys Art Shop employed expert framers and offered art novelties and prints. Active in Democratic politics, James was elected councilman-at-large in 1903. Vickroy died on Oct. 14, 1913, at age 66, and Pearl R. Vickroy, one of his six daughters, perpetuated the business for nearly two decades. Widow Nora Vickroy died June 5, 1940, at age 90, and was buried next to her husband at Highland Lawn Cemetery. Several descendants reside in the Terre Haute area.ATERRE HAUTE(812) 238-6000NATIONAL BANKAlways Close to HomeRide the Terre Haute buses FREE the first Friday of every month, compliments of Terre Haute First National Bank.FREE fareFRIDAYFilename: Vickroy, James profile Date Published: Oct. 18, 2001
Origin:	2001-11-18
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/595
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Vickroy, James M., 1847-1913 Artists Graphic design drawings Lithographs Lithography Wars & Conflicts Civil War -- Document

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