James Breen

    James Breen, dealer in boots, shoes and rubber goods, was born in Niagara County, New York, July 12, 1843, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Conroy) Breen, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated in 1838 and settled in Rockport, New York; they were sixty-six days on the voyage. Mr. and Mrs. Breen moved to Delphi, Carroll County, Indian when James was four years old; the father died in Fayette County, 1873, the mother at Delphi in 1875.

    When our subject was fifteen years of age he went to learn shoe-making with John Dixon, at Delphi. In January, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Artillery, and in August was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain; was taken prisoner at the Second Bull Run and kept in Libby Prison thirteen months, and was honorably discharged at Washington in September, 1865. In 1866, he removed to Missouri and other States, where he remained three years, and returned to La Porte, Indiana; there he worked at shoe-making and was twice elected City Assessor. Afterward, he traveled as salesman for the Cincinnati house, and in 1874 came to West Lebanon, and after two years engaged in the boot and shoe business with J. H. Wilson, whose interest he afterward purchased, and which business she now carries on.

    On February 2, 1879, Mr. Breen was married to Miss Katie Bulger, a native of Pulaski County, Indiana. They are members of the Universalist Church, and Mr. Breen is a Republican.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.