Biography of Philip S. Carper, pages 997/998.  History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Philip S. Carper



	It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial 
thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of 
preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call 
forth the praises of the historian or the cheers and appreciation of 
mankind.  A greater mistake was never made.  No man is great in all 
things and very few are great in many things.  Many by a lucky stroke 
achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the 
limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke 
that benefits mankind most, but the long study and effort, which made 
they lucky stroke possible.  It is the preliminary work, the method, 
that serves as a guide for the success of others.  Among those in this 
county who have achieved success along steady lines of action is the 
subject of this sketch.

	Philip S. Carper, secretary of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, was born in DeKalb county, December 7, 1865, the son of John 
and Sarah (Friedt) Carper.  John Carper was a native of Holmes county, 
Ohio, and came to DeKalb county, with his parents, Adam and Elizabeth 
(Cobbler) Carper, in 1842, they settling in Jackson township on land 
entered from the government.  John Carper died in 1895, while his wife 
is still living.  The original tract of land entered is still in 
possession of the family.  To them were born eight children: Eugene, 
George W., Lillie A., John A., Mary E., Phillip, Laura J., and Alda 
Viola, deceased.  Philip Carper received a good common school education 
in the DeKalb county schools, after which he began the career of an 
agriculturist, is which he achieved a splendid success.  Mr. Carper 
remained at home until his marriage and then located on his present 
farm, four miles southeast of Auburn, on the Auburn and St. Joe road, 
on the Henry Brown farm.  He made all of the improvements just as they 
stand.  He has seventy acres, of which fifty-five acres are in good 
state of cultivation.  He carries on a general farming business.  In 
1903 he was elected secretary of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, which position he still occupies, and his natural aptitude for 
this line of work has stood him in good stead, as is evidenced in the 
wonderful progress of the company, it now carrying over seven million 
dollars in policies with thirty-five hundred policy holders.  In this 
strong company, associated with Mr. Carper, are the following officers: 
President, A.N. Thrush, treasurer, John Hebel; vice-president, William 
Norris; actuary, C.H. Bangs; board of directors, Charles S. Arford, 
Henry St. Clair, David Shook, George Rheinhart and Archie Bowman.  Mr. 
Thrush was elected president in 1908, and has been actively engaged 
with the company for about ten years.  Since 1907 Mr. Carper has been a 
director of the City National Bank of Auburn.

	On October 16, 1895, Mr. Carper was married to Lulu Able, 
daughter of Walter and Anna (Nelson) Able, who came from their native 
state of Ohio with her parents he having been born in Trumbull county 
and she in Tuscarawas county. They had one other child, besides the 
subject’s wife, a son named Ross.  To Mr. and Mrs. Carper have been 
born two children, Hugh B., born January 16, 1897, and Nellie, born May 
1, 1900, both of whom are still under the shelter of the parental roof.

	Mr. Carper has always given his support to the Republican party, 
and was honored by being selected as drainage commissioner by his 
fellow citizens in 1908 and 1909.  His splendid success in his varied 
activities should be set down in a work of this character that the 
future generations may profit by his example.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com