Vigo County Historical Society

Author driven to write about franchised auto dealers

"A Century of Auto Dealers: A History of Vigo County Auto Dealers of the 20th Century" is the latest literary endeavor of Terre Haute author Dorothy Jerse.

The book is the result of an invitation from Eston Fuson, owner of Fuson Pontiac Buick Cadillac & Toyota dealership, to research and record the first century of franchised automobile dealers in Vigo County, and it is a fascinating read.

To quote Jerse, "Their business histories reflect times of prosperity and depression, war and peace, as well as the advances of advertising and technology--a local mirror of 20th century life."

The idea for the book came from Fuson. "Several years ago, the thought crossed my mind that some sort of history of Terre Haute franchised automobile dealers should be recorded," he said. "Dorothy Jerse accepted my challenge, and has worked tirelessly in researching and making the effort possible."

The book is dedicated to Fuson’s father-in-law G. Harvey Froderman, who gave him "the opportunity to make the automobile business my lifelong profession for nearly 50 years."

Filled with a myriad of information, photographs and advertisements, "A Century of Auto Dealers" will be a welcome addition of any history or auto buff’s library. It is another fine example of the creative talent of Jerse.

Fuson has generously donated the book and the proceeds from its sale to the Vigo County Historical Society. It is available in the Vigo County Historical Museum gift shop.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Previous articles may be found on the society’s Web site at web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.