John Wesley Heller,  Jim Heller's grandfather, was a Civil War veteran and upon his return to Jackson County engaged in farming and also from 1879 in the manufacturing of brick and tile said to be centered at a little hollow at the southern foot of JW Wesley Heller's home just south of Brownstown.  Born  Aug. 27, 1843 he enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Battery serving three years and a month). Two of his sons, Thornton (Jim Heller's father) and Victor became partners in the brick making business.

The Robertson family made agreement whereby the Heller's would no longer make brick and tile from the family home but instead to share in the making of brick and tile at a new location along the railroad line north of what is now Ewing which became the Jackson Brick and Hollow Ware Company. Two other sons John and James, along with Jonathan and Joe (Joseph M.)  Robertson became partners in the Brownstown plant.  Jackson Brick and Hollo Ware would in the mid 1920's purchase at auction the Medora Shale Brick Co. which partner Joe (Joseph M.) Robertson would direct. James P. Heller would become the understudy of Joe Robertson in the brick making business and later take over the reins of the Medora plant.