James P. Coulter

    James P. Coulter, master car builder, Ohio & Mississippi Railroad shops, Aurora is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Philadelphia May 29, 1835, where he received a common school education. His parents, James and Jane (Moore Coulter, were natives of Ireland; the former was born October 21, 1797, the latter October 10, 1796. They came to America in 1821, and located in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, bricklayer and stonemason, until his death, which occurred June 24, 1840, and the mother followed August 10, 1860.

    James P. learned house carpentering when fifteen years old, and followed the same for a livelihood up to 1863, when he entered the Chicago & Alton Railroad shops as carpenter, working one and a half years in that capacity, then was placed in charge of part of the work as gang foreman. In 1873 he took charge of the car department on the Springfield & Illinois South eastern Railroad, serving there for three years and nine months, until the Ohio & Mississippi purchased the road; then was transferred to Aurora, Indiana, and given charge of the main road and branches, 690 miles in all.

    December 9, 1853, Mr. Coulter was married to Miss Catharine A. Roan, who was born at East Greenville, Stark County, Ohio, October 29, 1884. They are the parents of the following named children: Emma J. M., Ida E., Mary A., George P. and Ella M. C. He is a member of the Aurora Lodge No. 51, F & A. M.; Aurora Chapter No. 13; Aurora Commandery No. 17, and of the Indiana Consistory at Indianapolis, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.