Person:Corydon Shimer (1)

Corydon R. Shimer.
The subject of this sketch was born May 20, 1838, on the farm where he now lives and his education was received in the common schools of Marion County. This was such as to qualify him to teach in his home district for a period of twelve months to the satisfaction of his patrons. He remained in common with his parents, Elias N. and Mahala Shimer, until twenty-six years of age, or until the death of the father who requested him in his will to take charge of the homestead, consisting of 240 acres which was left intact for the benefit of Mrs. Shimer. As this was the mother's wish also, our subject remained with her during the remainder of her days, a period of twenty-two years. ...

... On September 10, 1873, the original of this notice was married to Miss Belle Zimmerman, daughter of Christopher and Kate Zimmerman, of 560 East Washington Street, Indianapolis. Mrs. Shimer is a lady of culture who in addition to a high school education, attended St. Mary's of the Woods, at Terre Haute. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shimer, as follows:
- Bessie, who died in infancy;
- J. Tilden, born February 3, 1877, is now attending Butler University;
- Donald B. and Harold N. (twins), born January 9, 1884. The latter died when but four days old. Donald is kind, obliging, industrious and a GOOD boy.

Fidelity Farm, the home of our subject, adjoins Irvington on the south and is located two and a half miles east of the city limits of Indianapolis. It consists of 192 acres and is admirably adapted to the uses to which it is put, general farming. Some of Mr. Shimer's horses are standard bred and he has a fine half-mile track where he oversees the training of his animals. At the head of his herd is the Hambletonian stallion Billy Breckenridge; his younger animals bid fair to make reputations on the race-course. Until a few years ago Mr. Shimer's attention was given to the raising of Jersey cattle, and he still has a fine herd of this breed. He was nearly killed in 1884 by an infuriated Jersey bull, and all his life will carry the scars of this encounter on his head and face. Mr. Shinier has a substantially built, modern two-story brick house of thirteen rooms, the building being trimmed with stone and galvanized iron, a large bay-window fronts the north, and on the east and west of the double-parlors extending the entire height of the house, all furnished with the best quality of French plate glass. The house is located on one of the highest points of land in the vicinity and presents a fine appearance from the surrounding country. It is situated within one-half mile of Butler University and of the Irvington public school. Mr. Shimer also has a slate-covered brick smoke and wood-house, also a brick carriage-house and granary, and his large farm barn is capable of comfortably stabling thirty head of stock.

[Includes photo of the 4 brothers]
The ??? of the Shimer family is a long one for it is believed there are no other living four brothers alone whose combined ages are ?49 years an average of ??? years each, ??? proud record.

Caleb D. Shimer is 91 years old and lives in ?tsville, Ind. He was born May 21, 1823. William R. Shimer was born Dec. 8, 1825, making him 88 years old. His home is in Irvinton. Isaac H. of Decatur, IN, was born Feb. 20, 1829, and is 87 years old. Corydon R. Shimer, who also lives in Irvington, is a mere youth of 76 years, having been born May 2, 1838.

E.H. Shimer, the father of the "Shimer Boys," came to Indiana from Zanesville, O. He was born Dec. 6, 1798, and died July 29, 1887. He came to Irvington in November, 1829 and bought 240 acres of land just south of the present site of Irvington. This land has been owned by members of the family ever since. In 1852, W.R. Shimer bought 106 acres just west of his father's property, in Center Township, and has lived on this farm ever since. C.R. Shimer, the youngest of the four brothers, was born on his father's farm, and has lived on it all his life.