USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 42
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cessful as a general farmer and stock-raiser. He was not of a speculative turn of mind and had no thought of accumulating money except by honest labor and safe and wise management of his affairs. He formed a definite plan to buy land, but made a rule that he would never buy until he could pay. As he was able to do so he bought land from time to time and he gave to each of his children at marriage a home farm of eighty acres. At the same time he reserved a homestead of one hundred and twenty acres for the one who should care for him and his wife in their declining years. He was born August 5, 1797, and died Septem- ber II, 1854. He was a Whig and an abo- litionist and had he lived he would have af- filiated with the Republican party. It was because he abhorred slavery that he left Kentucky and took up his residence in a free state. He was a charitable and helpful man who won the gratitude of many of his fellows. He despised all dishonesty and held liars in the most profound contempt. Eleanor Anderson, who became his wife. was a daughter of James Anderson and was born in Virginia, July 5, 1797. Her father and his family removed to Kentucky at an early day, making the journey down the Ohio by a flat-boat to a point on the Ken- tucky shore below Cincinnati. Locating in Henry county, Kentucky, near the Rob- binses, he followed agricultural pursuits there during the remainder of his life. His children were as follows: Isaac, James. Ruth (who married John Robbins), Eleanor (who married William Robbins), Nancy (who became Mrs. W. White), Wesley and Sarah. All except Wesley and Sarah re- moved to Indiana. The children of Will- iam and Eleanor (Anderson) Robbins were
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born in the following order: Sarelda R. married W. Stires. John E. will be referred to more at length further on. William M. died young. James N. is a prominent farm- er and breeder of fine cattle in Decatur county, Indiana. Merritt H. is dead.
John E. Robbins, grandson of the pio- neer, son of William Robbins and father of Frank R. Robbins, was born in Decatur county, Indiana, and was a member of his father's family until his marriage, which oc- curred November 7, 1844. He then settled on a small tract of land given him by his father, but was without means to improve it or to begin farming. He found employ- ment during the succeeding winter at school teaching, at ten dollars a month, and was thus enabled to put in some crops the following spring. This circumstance is given as an index to his character. He was . a determined, resourceful man and he not only prospered but became one of the most prominent financiers of eastern Indiana. Far-sighted beyond most men and with an unerring business instinct, he made a suc- cess of every enterprise he undertook, and he made for himself a name and place in local history which reflects the greatest credit upon his enterprise and his business methods. From the time of his school- teaching venture he accumulated constant- ly and more and more rapidly as the years went on. He lived on his original small farm until 1858, when he was enabled to buy one hundred and sixty acres a mile south of Greensburg, which was his home- stead during the remainder of his life. He added to this place by subsequent pur- chases until it comprised eight hundred and sixty-three acres and bought about three thousand acres in other tracts. His landed
possessions constituted only a portion of his wealth. He began early in his career to raise and feed stock, and his operations grew so extensive that he handled more hogs than all other dealers in the county combined, with feeding and stock yards at Lawrenceburg and elsewhere and extensive slaughter houses at · Greensburg. He
looked carefully after his own large interests and was public-spirited to a marked degree. his interest in the development of the county inducing him to take a foremost place in the promotion of such public en- terprises as turnpikes, railroads and banks. He was first to agitate pike roads in Deca- tur county, and was president of the Ver- non, Greensburg & Rushville Pike Road Company, and was largely instrumental in making the road a success. As a means to this end he advocated and secured the assessment of a tax, of which he paid more than any other man in Decatur county. He originated the Third National Bank of Greensburg, which began business January, 1883, with John E. Robbins as president and C. Ewing as cashier. By his enterprise and great business ability this bank assumed the foremost place among the banking in- stitutions of this part of the state. It now has a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars and a surplus of eighteen thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to four hundred and thirty thousand dollars. He was a di- rector in other Greensburg banks and was from time to time identified prominently and helpfully with other important enter- prises. His sound judgment was sought in matters of public moment. and in order to secure his eminent financial ability for De- catur county he was called to the office of commissioner, in which he served with the
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greatest credit. He loved his home and improved and beautified it in many ways, continuing this work to the time of his death, July 22, 1896.
Nancy Hunter, his wife, was born in Ohio, December 8, 1826, a daughter of Na- thaniel and Elizabeth (Fares) Hunter. Her parents were natives of Germany, but were married in Ohio and bought their house- keeping outfit at Cincinnati, purchasing the entire stock of dishes of the only store in the town at that time which kept such goods. In 1827 they removed to Franklin county, Indiana, where Mr. Hunter took up and improved land which he sold to good advantage ten years later. At that time (1837) he entered a large tract of land in Decatur county and began the improvement of what turned out to be a fine farm. Late in life he retired to Greensburg, where he died at the age of ninety-seven, his wife sur- viving him and dying at the age of ninety- eight. He was a man of much enterprise and several times built flat-boats and loaded them with produce, which he sold in the markets of New Orleans, making the re- turn journey on foot. He also helped to construct the Whitewater canal. In poli- tics he was a strong Democrat of the old school, but he never sought or accepted of- fice. His children were named as follows: Ann E. (Mrs. Shaw), Rebecca (Mrs. Wal- lace), Stephenson (dead), Nathan, who lives in Greensburg, Nancy, mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, and Peter (dead). Fol- lowing are the names of the children of John E. Robbins: Sarelda B. (Mrs. Smiley), Min- erva J. (Mrs. Gilchrist), Nancy Ellen (Mrs. Kitchin), William, a farmer near Greens- burg; Clara (Mrs. Kitchin), John E., Olive (Mrs. McCoy), Frank R. and Eliza (Mrs.
Elder). Nancy (Hunter) Robbins, now in her seventieth year, is living on the home- stead, near Greensburg.
Frank R. Robbins was born near where he now lives, October 29, 1866. He mar- ried in 1888 and settled on one of his fath- er's farms south of the homestead. Later he built his present large two-story brick house, a mile south of Greensburg, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He married Miss Kate Sefton, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Myers) Sefton and a lady of high intelligence and culture, whose grandfather, William Sefton, was one of the pioneers and leading citizens of Decatur county. William Sefton was a son of Hen- ry Sefton, an ex-officer of the English army, who came to Ohio from Ireland and died of cholera in 1834. The children of Henry Sefton were named as follows, in the order of their birth: William, Henry, Maria (Mrs. Scott), Jane (Mrs. Hughes), Ellen (Mrs. Hungerford), and Sarah (Mrs. Bre- voort.) William married Catherine Shuck and settled as a farmer in Ohio, where five of his children were born. In 1838 he came to Indiana and located in Decatur county on land entered by his father and cleared up and improved a farm which he cultivated successfully until his death in 1868. He was successful in a busi- ness way and added materially to his landed possessions by subsequent purchases. His wife, who was born in April, 1806, and died October 3, 1869, was a daughter of Michael Shuck, of German descent, from Pennsyl- vania, who located early in Butler county, Ohio, but came in his old age to the home of his daughter, in Indiana, where he died at the age of eighty-eight. Their children were Sarah (Mrs. Governor Bibbs of Ohio),
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Eliza (Mrs.A.Lawrence), Peggy (Mrs. Mul -. holland), Hannah (Mrs. Shaw), Polly (Mrs. Hall), and Catherine (Mrs. Sefton), whose children were named as follows: Henry, Eliza (Mrs. Scott), Elizabeth (who died un- married), Michael, Isaac (father of the wife of the subject of this sketch), Edward, Mary (Mrs. Willis), Sarah (Mrs. Anderson) and William W. Their father was born Febru- ary 22, 1806, and died October 3, 1869. They were married in 1830.
Isaac Sefton was reared in Decatur coun- ty, Indiana, and learned farming on his father's homestead, where he remained un- "til he was twenty-eight years old. He mar- ried in 1865 and began farming on his own account. Upon the death of his father he inherited a part of the latter's estate, to which he has added by judicious purchases. He now owns three improved farms in De- catur county and one in Boone county and two houses in Greensburg, where he . now lives retired from active life, wealthy and influential and respected for the up- rightness of his character. For his wife he married Miss Mary E. Myers, a daughter of Thomas and Mahala (Braden) Myers. Mr. Myers was of Pennsylvania Dutch ex- traction and was born in Rush county, Indi- ana. Mrs. Myers was born in Decatur county, Indiana, and they were married in 1843. Thomas Myers died at Greensburg, Indiana, October 18, 1887, aged sixty-two. His wife, who survives him, aged seventy- two, was a daughter of Walter Braden, of Irish descent, who was born in 1797, reared in the United States, married in Kentucky and brought his wife, on horseback, to Indi- ana, where he died in 1876, she in 1855. They had children who were named Mi- chael, John, Richard, Jane (Mrs. Russell),
Linda and James. The children of Thomas and Mary E. (Braden) Myers were Mary E. (wife of Isaac Sefton), Robert WV., Em- ma (Mrs. Gilmour), Morgan, Willard, Ne- vada (Mrs. W. 'S. Moore) and Maggie B. (Mrs. Scott). The children of Isaac and Mary (Myers) Sefton were Kate, born No- vember II, 1868, who married Frank R. Robbins; and Cora, born March 26, 1878, who married W. H. Robbins. The children of Frank B. and Kate (Sefton) Robbins are Lelia, born June 18, 1889; and William, born December 17, 1890. Mrs. Robbins is a Methodist and a woman whose influence in the community is always for good. Mr. Robbins is an enterprising citizen, promi- nent in public affairs and personally very popular. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
PROF. WILLIAM P. SHANNON, A. M.
Widely acknowledged as one of the fore- most educators and scientists of Indiana. Greensburg especially, of which place he was one of the leading citizens, feels that in the death of Professor William Pollock Shannon, an irreparable loss has been sus- tained. Heartfelt tributes to his personal worth and to his rare achievements came to his bereaved family from every part of the United States, leading educators and scientists uniting in praise of a career which was singularly pure, earnest and progres- sive.
The birth of Professor Shannon occurred upon his parents' homestead, near Spring Hill, Decatur county. October 31, 1847. and thus he had reached the half century
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mark at the time of his demise, December . 16, 1897. His father, Thomas H. Shannon, . a successful farmer, is deceased, but his widowed mother, Mrs. Mary (Mayne) Shan- non, still resides on the old homestead: There it was that the boyhood days of our subject passed, and the love which he then formed for nature in her various manifes- tations never left him. He attended the district schools and later pursued higher studies under the preceptorship of J. C. Gregg, then principal of Richland Acad- emy, but now superintendent of the city schools of Brazil, Indiana. At the end of three years the young man entered the junior year at Miami University, where he made such an exceptionally creditable rec- ord that it has been said that no graduate of the institution, save Whitelaw Reid, sur- passed him in scholarship. His alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master . of Arts at the time of his graduation, June 10, 1873. Many positions were open to him, but he eventually decided to accept the principalship of the Glendale high school, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Having made a success of this. he accepted a call to Greensburg and became principal of the high school here. Needless to say that he more than fulfilled the expectations of his most confident friends, and that a higher and better system of management was car- ried into effect than had ever prevailed here before. It was not a surprise, there- fore, that he was elected to serve as super- intendent of the schools of Greensburg, in 1882, after his return from Europe. As superintendent he continued to act until his useful career was untimely ended, and thus, in the two responsible offices named, he played a noble. influential part for some
twenty-three years. During that period our schools were rapidly advanced, until long ago they were ranked among the best in the state.
But the grand work of Professor Shan- non was not narrowed to even this county, as he was a valued member of the State and National Teachers' Associations and was treasurer of the Indiana Academy of Sci- ence, and in innumerable ways came before the scientists and teachers of this land. Quotations from letters of a few of the emi- nent educators of the United States in re- gard to his standing will prove of interest to many of his old friends. David S. Jor- dan, president of Leland Stanford, Jr., Uni- versity (of California), said: "As a scientific man he had a high rank. His work was sound and accurate, and he had especial power in developing scientific methods in others. As a teacher he ranked with the best in the state. He was accurate and thorough on the one hand, and sympathet- ic and helpful on the other. As a man he was above reproach, and was to me one of the most valued of all my friends in Indi- ana." Francis M. Stalker, editor of the Inland Educator, wrote: "I regard Pro- fessor Shannon as one of the best men in the state. He certainly had some advanced ideas in regard. to nature study in the schools. I have thought many times that the boys and girls at Greensburg had a large opportunity in having Mr. Shannon to show them how to see things. His ideas were practical and full of common sense."
Professor Shannon made for himselt a lasting place in the domain of scientific re- search into the realm of nature in his native county. C. H. Eigenmann, the professor of zoology in the Indiana University (which
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institution conferred upon our subject the degree of Master of Arts), wrote to the be- reaved relatives, among other things, the following: "W. P. Shannon was a genial, earnest man. The papers he read before the Indiana Academy showed him to be a close and interested observer of the things about him. He was interested in many branches of natural history. He won the esteem of all of his associates in the academy, who made him a fellow of the academy, and elected him treasurer, a position he filled for a number of years. The museum of the Indiana University received many spec- imens from him in past years, especially of fishes, and his work on the fishes of his own county has made him a lasting name among the naturalists of the state." Another sin- cere friend, A. W. Butler, secretary of the board of state charities, said: "I have known Professor Shannon for twelve years, and we had become fast friends. I found the longer I knew him, the closer became the ties of friendship. He was a close stu- dent, a hard worker, and a good observer and teacher. He has done much good work in science and loved the study of na- ture. He has been an excellent interpreter of nature's language, and perhaps few in our state have done so much to interest the youth of our public schools in nature stud- ies as he. He was deeply interested in the work of the Indiana Academy of Science. Of that organization he was one of the charter members and was highly regarded by his associates. For several years he has been its treasurer." The high estimation in which our subject was held universally is expressed in the following lines from the pen of W. S. Blatchley, state geologist: "I consider it an honor to have known W. P.
Shannon personally. There are few men in Indiana who loved nature more, or who came in closer touch with her than he. With his own mind he reasoned out her secrets. He sought with his own eyes and hands her objects. His life work stands for far more for his thus doing than it would if he had accepted the ideas and works of other men as portrayed in books. His knowledge of the habits, haunts and life histories of birds, insects and other living forms was thus first-hand and manifold in character. With it was coupled an excel- lent knowledge of the fossil forms of the past ages, and of geology. He was thus enabled to understand much more fully than the average scientist the close rela- tionship and interdependence existing among the various classes of natural ob- jects, and he fully realized that each is not an isolated group standing alone, but that each is kin to all the others, an essential part of one grand and perfect whole,-the universe. His papers on nature study, in the Inland Educator, show how fully he was imbued with the thing itself and not the book concerning it; and how much he could get from a simple object in which the ordinary teacher could see nothing. These papers, if faithfully followed, will give a new impetus to nature study in the common schools of Indiana, which will serve as the best and most lasting monument of his life's work. As a member of the Indiana Academy of Science Professor Shannon stood high, and was always on the program with a paper embodying the result of val- uable original observation. He will be greatly missed at its meeting, and with one accord its members will say that a noble- hearted, scholarly, painstaking investigator
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has forever gone from among their num- bers."
A loving tribute to Professor Shannon is found in the following letter from Stanley Coulter, then occupying the important chair of biology at Purdue University: "It was with inexpressible sadness that I read the announcement of the death of W. P. Shannon. I had known him intimately for many years and found him, as did all oth- ers who knew him well, to always 'ring true.' Of sterling worth, of exceptional ability, and having accomplished much, he was, withal, so modest and unselfish that it is doubtful if all fully recognized his worth. In a state which for years has been the home of scientists of broad reputation, he was one of the leaders. His opinions carriedi with them weight, always based upon the most painstaking and careful observation. I have been with him in many field meet- ings of the Academy of Science, and have often marveled at his broad knowledge, not only of the plants and animals, but of rocks and soils, of topographical features, indeed, of all those factors which in any way mod- ify life. He loved nature, and was very near to nature's heart. He sought eagerly after truth, and the truth to him was both incentive and reward. I am, perhaps, bet- ter entitled to speak concerning his work among plants. His knowledge was accu- .rate and complete. He knew the whole life-history of the plants, recognizing them as seedlings or in leaf as readily .as in flow- er. He knew the soil in which they grew, their insect visitors, and could tell the story of varying conditions of soil and air upon their growth. In my preparation of the flora of the state I have often appealed to him concerning. some particular point and
have received in return a response so full and accurate, so rich in detail, so replete with suggestive facts, that I have urged him to publish over his own name the facts that he so freely gave to others. Had he done nothing but what he has done in bot- any he would merit great honor from his fellow students of nature, but he did much more, for all life appealed to him, and all that affected life interested him, and as a reward for his great love, nature granted him many glimpses of her deeper truths. The scientists of Indiana mourn his loss because of his constantly increasing con- tributions to biology, but they mourn him more as a man, for all honored and respect- ed him as one who stood 'four-square to every wind that blew.'"
The superintendent of public instruction, D. M. Geeting, said: "I have known Pro- fessor W. P. Shannon twenty-five years, and have been associated with him in many kinds of school work. He was an admira- ble companion and one of the warmest per- sonal friends I have ever known. His de- meanor was so quiet and unassuming that it took a long personal acquaintance to know the worth of the man. I feel that the educational work of the state has lost one of its most capable laborers, and his wise counsel will be. missed in all educational gatherings. His work in science was re- garded with much favor and his association with young people in such work has been a great inspiration to them in helping them to appreciate and understand nature's work around them."
In similar vein are epistles from Professor A. J. Bigney, who held the chair of natural science at Moore's Hill College; Charles R. Dryer, professor of geography in the
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Indiana State Normal; R. Ellsworth Call, superintendent of the Lawrenceburg schools; J. C. Gregg, superintendent of the Brazil city schools; Charles T. Powner, George L. Roberts and Mrs. Ida Wray, all of whom were connected with the public schools of Greensburg; and many others prominent in educational and scientific work throughout this state and the country at large. We cannot refrain from making .one more quotation, this from the tribute of his friend and co-laborer, Professor Pow- ner, as it gives the key to his unusually successful efforts in the development of the child mind, and the rare sympathy which - he felt toward children: "He was recog .. / nized by the pupils as their friend, and, as- such, was approachable at all times. His office was visited daily by dozens of boys and girls carrying specimens from every field of nature. His invitations for walks through woods and fields were eagerly ac- cepted, and he never tired of their ques- tions nor their company. It was a frequent remark of his that children are the most acute of observers. It was this genuine . faith in their abilities and in their work that secured for him their esteem. Having gained their friendship, it was an easy task to lead them into lines of good conduct. Through the friendship of the pupils he moulded their characters for future good."
Through constantly delving into the deep things of nature, Professor Shannon thus possessed a lofty humility of mind that ac- knowledged the fact that wisdom oft is hidden from the wise, when it is "revealed unto babes." He was an honorary mem- ber of the American Archaeological & Brit- ish Association, his opinions and views be- ing received with respect and attention
whenever he came before any of the various educational and scientific organizations to which he belonged. One of the happiest events of his life was the extended tour which he took through England, France, Switzerland and Italy, in 1881, but perhaps he enjoyed quite as much the frequent trips which he made to different parts of his own beloved land. In his youth Professor Shan- non became identified with the United Presbyterian church, and later in life, he, with his estimable wife, joined the Presby- terian church of Greensburg. Here, as might have been expected of one so true and conscientious, he was a very active worker, and, as superintendent of the Sun- day-school and at the head of the corps of teachers, the influence which he had for good cannot be calculated.
In the happy home circle he, nevertheless, was at his best, as is the case with all of the truly good and noble characters whose life records have been handed down to us. He first married Miss Nettie Wampler, a sister of Dr. Wampler, of Richmond, Indiana. their wedding being solemnized in June. 1875. She was a talented musician, and was a graduate of Glendale Female Seni- nary, of the class of 1869. A little daugh- ter, who was named Nettie, for her mother. was born to the young couple. The musical genius which she inherited has been culti- ·vated, and for some time she has made her home in Spring Hill, where she occupies an enviable position in society. Her young mother was taken from her soon after the daughter's birth, her death occurring in April, 1876.
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