Character guide

David Harum

major

Also known as Dave, Dave Harum, Harum, old Dave, Dave ben, Lish Harum

David Harum runs the local bank and horse-trading business, holding court over Homeville gossip with a tongue that slides between the serious and the facetious without any clear boundary. He hires a young city man named John Lenox on a whim, and his habit of testing people through banter and sharp dealing makes him both a mentor and a puzzle. His appetite, his distrust of horseback riding for pleasure, and his gleeful needling of neighbors like the Verjooses define the comic and moral center of the town.

John Lenox

major

Also known as Mr. Lenox, V John, Mr. John, John Lenox, Lenox, the elder Lenox, Mr. John Lenox, Christmas John, John K. Lenox

John arrives in Homeville with modest bookkeeping experience and a letter of introduction from General Wolsey, expecting straightforward employment under an eccentric old banker. His half-formed prejudices against David gradually fall away as he learns to navigate the older man's unpredictable blend of jest and earnestness. His growing insight into David's character, and his willingness to laugh at himself, make him the reader's guide into the town's social world.

Aunt Polly

supporting

Also known as Polly, the practical Polly, Marie

Known to nearly everyone as Aunt Polly, Mrs. Bixbee manages David's home and watches him with affectionate suspicion across the supper table. When David announces he has telegraphed for a young man from New York, she presses him with practical questions and quiet anxiety about what her brother is up to. Her grounded, unpretentious presence anchors David's domestic life and offers a counterweight to his restless scheming.

Mrs. Bixbee

minor

Also known as the deceased Bixbee, Mis ' Bixbee

A deceased woman whose memory and affairs are discussed in the community.

Miss Blake

supporting

Also known as Blake

Miss Blake enters John's orbit as he settles into Homeville life, and her presence gradually turns his attention from city ambitions toward something more personal. Their developing connection gives the novel a romantic thread that runs alongside David's comic machinations and business dealings. She matters because she represents the emotional stake John has in staying, growing, and becoming someone the town, and David, can respect.

Dick Larrabee

supporting

Also known as Dick, Mr. Larrabee, Mr. Richard Larrabee

Dick Larrabee pursues amusement with little regard for delicacy or bashfulness, yet he is fundamentally honest and fiercely loyal to David, whom he cannot fully fathom. His strong opinions and easy sociability place him at the center of local horse-trading and village talk. He matters because his devotion to David, and his failure to understand him completely, throw David's complexity into sharper relief for John and the reader.

Mrs. Cullom

supporting

Also known as XIX Mrs. Cullom, Cullom, Mis ' Cullom, Old Mrs. Cullom, Widdo ' Cullom, the Widow Cullom

Known variously as the Widow Cullom and Old Mrs. Cullom, she belongs to the older layer of Homeville society that David recalls with a mixture of nostalgia and dry commentary. Her presence in the town's talk and dealings helps map the social gradations between village people and the summer families who descend on the lake. She matters as part of the dense web of neighborhood relationships that give the novel its texture and that John must learn to read.

Mary Blake

minor

Also known as little Mary Blake, Mary, Ann, Polly, Blake, the Mary Blake that I had known

A young woman from John Lenox's past, connected to Miss Blake.

Mrs. Julius Carling

supporting

Also known as Carling, Julius, Mrs. Carling, Mr. and Mrs. Carling, Mr. Carling

Mrs. Carling belongs to the moneyed set that descends on Homeville in warm months, her presence noted and discussed by locals like David Harum. She moves in the same circles as the Verjoos family, whose daughters Claricy and Juliet become fixtures of the summer riding scene. Her position matters less for what she does than for what she represents: the outside wealth that brushes against village life and gives David's running commentary its targets.

Chet Timson

supporting

Also known as Timson, Chet, Chester ) Timson, Mr. Timson, Whereupon Mr. Timson

Chet Timson runs the routine of Harum's bank with an unceasing flow of words, instructing newcomer John Lenox while boasting of grievances and imagined slights. David calls him a helpless critter for all his bragging, and has already written to Syracuse friends to find him other work. His looming displacement gives John's first days their quiet stakes, and his loud self-regard makes him both comic and faintly pitiable.

Price

minor

Also known as Mis ' Price, Mr. Price

A minor character involved in local business transactions.

Mr. Euston

minor

A gentleman from the city who interacts with John Lenox.

Billy P. Cullom

minor

Also known as William, Billy, old Billy, Cullom, Billy P. Cullom

A local man, part of the Cullom family, involved in community life.

Zeke Swinney

minor

Also known as Swinney

A farmer and occasional horse trader in the town.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Smith, Brother Smith

A minor character, possibly a church member or local businessman.

Miss Verjoos

minor

Also known as Alf Verjoos, Alf, Claricy Verjoos, Claricy, Dutchman Claricy Verjoos

A local woman, part of the Verjoos family, known in the community.

Lish Harum

minor

Also known as Lish

A relative or acquaintance of David Harum, mentioned in passing.

The Doctor

minor

Also known as the doctor, The doctor

The town physician, called upon for medical emergencies.

Miss Clara

minor

Also known as Clara

A young woman, possibly a friend or relative of the Blakes.

Jeffrey

minor

Also known as Jeff

A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.

Peleg Hopkins

minor

Also known as Peleg, The callow Hopkins

A young man, possibly a clerk or apprentice.

Mis' Jones

minor

Also known as Jones, Brother Jones

A local woman, possibly a churchgoer or neighbor.

General Wolsey

minor

A historical figure mentioned as a reference, not a character.

Charley Cullom

minor

Also known as Charley

A member of the Cullom family, possibly a son.

Mrs. Ruggles

minor

Also known as Mrs. Edward Ruggles, William Ruggles, Mrs. William Ruggles, Mr. Ruggles, Mrs. Edward Ruggles—the

A married woman, part of the Ruggles family.

Deakin Perkins

minor

Also known as Deakin, Take old Deakin Perkins

A church deacon in the town.

Jacky Carling

minor

Also known as Master Jacky Carling, Jacky, John, Jack, Mr. Carling

The young son of Mrs. Julius Carling, a mischievous boy.

Herr Schlitz

minor

Also known as Schlitz, Mr. or Herr Schlitz

A German-born resident, possibly a merchant or farmer.

Bill Montaig

minor

Also known as Montaig, Bill, the exasperated Bill, Mr. Montaig

A local man known for his temper, involved in a dispute.

Billy Williams

minor

Also known as Billy, Willis, Bill

A local man, possibly a farmer or laborer.

Mr. Robinson

minor

Also known as Robinson, Dug Robinson, Dug ' Robinson, Dug

A resident of the town, involved in local transactions.

Mrs. Tenaker

minor

Also known as Sue Tenaker, Tenaker

A widow or married woman in the community.

Lawyer Staples

minor

Also known as Staples

The town attorney, consulted for legal matters.

Lize Annis

minor

Also known as Lize, Annis

A local woman, possibly a servant or neighbor.

Mrs. Benson

minor

Also known as the Bensons

A married woman, part of the Benson family in town.

Cynthy Cullom

minor

Also known as Cynthy

A member of the Cullom family, possibly a daughter.

Mr. Benson

minor

Husband of Mrs. Benson, a local resident.

Mr. Howe

minor

A minor character, possibly a businessman or visitor.

Jim Wheton

minor

Also known as Jim

A local man, possibly a farmer or laborer.

Claricy

minor

Also known as Miss Claricy

A local woman, possibly a spinster or widow.

Sairy

minor

Also known as Presently Sairy

A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor.

Mr. Amos Elright

minor

Also known as Mr. Elright, Elright

A local businessman or farmer.

Juliet

minor

A minor female character, possibly a young woman.

Lynch

minor

A minor character, possibly a worker or neighbor.

Captain Fullalove

minor

A minor character, possibly a military man or traveler.

Lizer

minor

A minor female character, possibly a servant.

Polly Bixbee

minor

A relative of Mrs. Bixbee, possibly a daughter.

Jinny

minor

Also known as old Jinny, old Jinny ”

An elderly woman in the community.

Amri Shapless

minor

Also known as Amri, Shapless

A minor character, possibly a farmer or tradesman.

Doc Hayes

minor

A local doctor, possibly the same as the town physician.

Mrs. Hartleigh

minor

Also known as Hartleigh

A married woman, possibly a visitor or neighbor.

Mr. Hubber

minor

Also known as Hubber

A minor character, possibly a businessman.

Mr. White

minor

Also known as White

A minor character, possibly a merchant.

Melig

minor

Also known as old Melig

An elderly man in the community.

Squire Parker

minor

A local squire or landowner.

Miss Knapp

minor

A spinster or young woman in the town.

Mr. Fairman

minor

Also known as Fairman

A minor character, possibly a businessman.

Mrs. Verjoos

minor

A married woman, part of the Verjoos family.