Jarius A. Fillebrown
It would be well nigh impossible to estimate in any remarkable degree the comfort and rest that has been made to the general public through the activities of Jarius A. Fillebrown, until recently proprietor of the Marion Mattress Works, established here by him 1892. It has been estimated that the average person spend something like one-third of his time in bed, and it will not be denied by anyone who has given any degree of thought to the subject that comfortable sleeping arrangements add much to the pleasure of living. It is here that Mr. Fillebrown has played his part in the interests of humanity, and in many instances has added actual time to the lives of those people who have used mattresses manufactured by the Marion works, as a result of their superiority. But recently, on the 10th of November, 1913, Jarius A. Fillebrown disposed of the business which he had built to such splendid proportions and which contributed materially to the advancement of the business interests of Marion. The works is now known as the Marion Mattress Company.
Mr. Fillebrown was born on the 18th of February, 1855, in Kennebee County, Maine, and is the son of L.W. and A.J. (Frost) Fillebrown, both natives of Kennebee County and long residents of that place. The father was a practical machinist and devoted the best years of his life to work of that order in his native community. He came to Marion about 1903, and here ended his days. The mother still lives. She made her home with her son Jarius until the 3d of January, 1914, when she went to live with her other son, the Rev. Charles L. Fillebrown, of Laurens, Iowa. Of the five children that come these parents there are but the two sons surviving.
Jarius A. Fillebrown received his education in its more advanced stage in Main Wesleyan Seminary, at Redfield, Maine, and when he was eighteen years old began to work at the machinist's trade under the supervision of his father. For seventeen years he continued in that work in Maine and in Piqua, Ohio. In 1882 the father moved to Piqua, bringing the entire family with him, and in 1892 Jarius A. Fillebrown and his family located in Marion, Indiana. It was then that he established the Marion Mattress Works, and afterward successfully and profitable conducted the business, building it to splendid proportions and extending its ramifications until its trade extended over the United States and into South America and the islands of the sea.
Mr. Fillebrown was married in 1877 to Miss N. Margelia Brown, of East Livermore, Maine, where she was born and reared. One child has been born to them, Anna Louise, who is the wife of Norman N. Stevens, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Fillebrown's are prominent in social circles of the city, and have membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Fillebrown was superintendent of the Sunday school for two years.
Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, as well as of the Knights of Pythias and its auxiliary, the Pythian Sisters. He is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Benevolent Crew of Neptune, and is an active member in the Young Men's Christian Association of Marion.
A Republican in his political views, he has staunchly upheld the principles of that party, but has never displayed any tendency to engage in the political fray of the community. His active work is carried on rather along civic than political lines, and he is recognized as a dominant force in the communal life of the city and as one who looks for the best good of the city in preference to the advancement of any political ideas. As such his life in Marion has been one of the utmost usefulness, and some mention of him and his work should be given proper place in an historical and biographical work of the nature of which this publication partakes.
Submitted by: Gina Reasoner