John C. Annis
John C. Annis is a representative of two of the most prominent of the early families of Sullivan County, and he has own for himself a place among the leading business men of Shelburn. He entered upon his business career as an engineer, but later became a bookkeeper for this father, this being in 1876, when the elder Mr. Annis first came to Shelburn, and at the time of his removal to Terre Haute the son accompanied him and they were in business together for one year. Returning thence to Shelburn he was in the employ of Stephen Bracewell, a general merchant, until 1886, from that time until 1890 was connected with the coal industry, and in the latter year took charge of the Curryville store and conducted it until the latter part of 1892. At the expiration of that period he began work as top Foreman for the Curryville Mine, in 1900 became connected with the Star City Mine in the capacity of a carpenter, and during the years of 1902, 1903 and 1904 he was a Bookkeeper for the Keystone Coal Company at Shelburn. Since 1904 Mr. Annis has been the proprietor of a feed store in this city, buying in that year the business of N. O. Robbins, and in connection with this he also does a large transfer business. A stanch Democrat politically, he ahs served for five or six terms as a member of the Town Board and during eight years was the Clerk and Treasurer of Sullivan.
Mr. Annis was born in Fairbanks Township, Sullivan County, April 27, 1854, a son of Abraham and Armilda (Hopewell) Annis, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the father in 1832 and his death occurred in 1884, while the mother was born in 1830 and died in 1896, both passing away in Terre Haute. They were but two years of age when the came north with their parents, and the parents of Abraham, John and Mary (Potts) Annis, located in Fairbanks Township in 1834. Armilda Hopewell Annis was a daughter of Henry and Mary (All) Hopewell, who came to Fairbanks Township at about the same time as the Annis family, and they located near together on land which they entered from the government, the land being at that time wild and unimproved. Henry Hopewell died in 1871. Both he and John Annis became successful farmer, the former being also a cooper.
Abraham Annis, a son of John Annis, followed farming until 1875, when he came to Shelburn and purchased a warehouse, in which he installed a custom mill, and continued as a miller until 1882, while from that time until his death in 1884 he was a resident of Terre Haute, engaged in the grocery business. During his residence in Shelburn he served as a member of the town board. Seven children were born to Abraham and Armilda Annis, namely:
Louren, who died in infancy.
Ethel R., born March 4, 1886, is the wife of Roy Hair, of Shelburn.
Orval, who died at the age of two years.
Hosie Sutcliffe, who was born February 14, 1897, and is attending school.
Mr. Annis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 420, at Shelburn, in which he has filled all of the offices, and is also a charter member of the United Workmen, which lodge was abandoned in 1880, and a member of the International Order of the Team Owner's Union.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 102-103.