Benjamin Vigran started to make a business man of himself when he was only a boy and learned the trade of printer, but soon found his proper field in the clothing business, and has steadily progressed from one thing to another until he is now at the head of a prosperous establishment at Richmond known as Vigran’s Lady Shop, handling suits, ready to wear and other smart raiment for women.
He was born at Cincinnati December 27, 1890, a son of Alexander and Agnes Vigran. He had only the advantages of the public schools, and at the age of fourteen had to go to work and make his own living, selling newspapers, blacking boots and in other employment. He also worked for a time at wages of $3 a week in an electrotype and printing shop. For a year and a half he was employed as a stock boy in a men’s clothing establishment, and from Cincinnati he went to Connersville, Indiana, and put in six months with a large clothing and suit house.
Out of these various experiences he had accumulated much knowledge of the business and also a very modest capital, and with it he started the Vigran Variety Store at Rushville, Indiana, conducting it successfully from 1908 to 1913. He then sold out and bought a similar store at Oxford, Ohio, and continued it under the same name from June, 1915, to June, 1918. Mr. Vigran has been a resident of Richmond since June 18, 1918, and in a very brief period of time has built up an establishment with sales aggregating about $85,000 a year and employing twelve people.
In 1917 he married Nettie Gershumy, daughter of Louis and Sarah Gershumy of Covington, Kentucky. They have one son, Julian Harold, born December 28, 1918. Mr. Vigran is independent in politics, voting for the best man, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, Phoenix Lodge No. 62, Free and Accepted Masons, and Modern Woodmen of America, and is one of the popular younger members of the business and social community of Richmond. Source; Indiana and Indianans; Vol. 4; 1919.
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