USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 40
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HANSON J. ROBINSON.
There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name initiates this mnemoir, since his mind carried the impress of the pioneer experiences, and he witnessed and was a useful factor in the development and increasing prosperity of the state of Indiana.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Robinson, a native of England, who came to the United States and took up his abode in Virginia prior to the war of the Revolution. He was very wealthy and influential at the time of his death, owning upward of twenty-two hundred acres of land. Being in the prime of manhood and vigor, he had made no will, and, accord- ing to the old English law prevailing in the colonies, his eldest son became the heir to the property. The death of John Robinson was very sudden and unexpected, being the result of the bursting of a blood vessel.
Lieutenant Matthew Robinson, father of our subject, and second son of John Robinson, won his title in the war of 1812. He was born in Monon- galia county, Virginia, and in 1816 he came to Indiana, making the journey by boat down the Ohio river to Cincinnati and thence by wagon to Brook- ville. In 1817 he became a permanent settler of Fayette county, his home being in Waterloo township until his death, which, like that of his father, was sudden, being the result of an accidental injury. He died in 1839, aged sixty-five years. His wife, who lived to be seventy-five years of age, was Eleanor, daughter of Nathan Haymon, a hero of the Revolutionary war, who
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gave seven years of his life to the task of freeing his country from the hated British yoke. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were devout members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and they donated land to the church and for a ceme- tery and school. The old church, which they were actively interested in building, is still known as the Robinson meeting-house. The Robinson homestead went to the youngest daughter, and is now in the possession of her daughter Emma, wife of Isaac Doddridge.
Of the ten children born to Matthew Robinson and wife, Hanson J., whose birth occurred in Virginia, July 30, 1814, was the last survivor. The brothers and sisters had originally settled not far from the parental home- stead, on property given them by the father, but, one by one, they drifted away. At fifteen years of age our subject began serving an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, for he had then been crippled for five years, as the result of a fractured leg, caused by jumping from a shed. At the end of two years he had thoroughly mastered the trade, and he established a little shop on his father's farm. Thus employed until 1836, he then traveled in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee, stopping in Chicago, then a mere hainlet in a swampy waste. He paid fifty cents for a cup of coffee in the future metrop- olis, and before he left he became quite ill from drinking the impure water, which was all that could be obtained in the place. Then he returned home, content to remain here, and for twelve years longer he worked at his trade, running the little shop for sixteen years altogether.
For about half a century, and until his death, Mr. Robinson owned his homestead, comprising three hundred twenty-one acres of fine land, and in addition to this he gave to his children two hundred acres. His home place is considered one of the most desirable in the county, as it is well adapted for all kinds of grain and other products commonly raised in this latitude. A substantial house, well planned and with a slate roof and various other desirable features, and good barns and farni buildings, are on the place. Mr. Robinson devoted inuch attention to the raising of a high grade of stock. Not confining himself to agricultural enterprises altogether, he invested in various concerns, and usually met with success in his financial transactions.
He served as administrator for a number of estates, and also acted in the capacity of guardian. In his political belief he was a zealous Democrat from the days of his early manhood. Occasionally he was called upon to act in some local office or other: among others he was township trustee in Fayette county, and had the handling of the funds for the construction of the turnpike. Again he was the candidate of his party for the position of county commissioner, but the Democrats being in a strong minority he was not elected, though he polled the full party vote. For some time he held the office of justice of the peace in Brownsville. He strove to live in harmony
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with all men, and few can say, as he could, that he had never been engaged in a personal lawsuit. Reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for twenty-one years a member of the same, he became thor- oughly displeased at the preaching of the rabid abolitionist ministers, who denounced the Democratic party in sweeping terms at the outbreak of the civil war, and for a number of his later years he was associated with the Christian Union church at Brownsville.
On the 25th of September, 1837, Mr. Robinson married Miss Eliza J. Norris, a daughter of John and Jane (Hanna) Norris. Their happy wedded life covered a period of fifty-eight years, and then the loving wife and mother was summoned to her reward. She was born May 18, 1818, and died Novem- ber 1, 1895, mourned by a large circle of old friends and acquaintances. Of their children, but two survive, namely: Sarah A., wife of Thomas Viola, of Stone county, Missouri; and John M., who is carrying on the farm, which adjoins his father's place, and whose wife was formerly Cynthia Starr. Justinian Hanson Robinson, who with his wife, Maria Starr, is deceased, left six children. Lewis M., youngest child of our subject, died when young; and two other children, twins, died in infancy. Mr. Robinson left eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He died January 13, 1899, at the patriarchal age of more than eighty-four years.
ALLISON A. SMALLEY.
Mr. Sinalley has one of the nicest farms in Brookville township, Frank- lin county, Indiana, and is one of our most substantial citizens. He was born in this township April 1, 1848, and is a son of Elijah and Mary Ann (Blew) Smalley. The father was from Pennsylvania, whence he came to this county and located in Bath township, where he died August 26, 1876. He was among the most successful pioneers of the state and owned large tracts of land in both this and Union county. Six of his children are now living,-our subject, who was the fifth child of the family, and five daugh- ters, namely: Margaret, wife of Benjamin Smith; Catherine, wife of Thomas Flood; Hannah, wife of Jacob Wooters; Sarah, wife of Bartley Davis; and Mary Ann, wife of Berry Whiteman.
Allison Smalley remained at home until he was twenty-eight, when he was married, November 17, 1874 to Miss Alice Templeton, daughter of Bollivar Templeton, of Fairview township. Three children have blessed their union, --- Harvey B., who died at the age of seventeen years; Lena L. and Frances T. Mr. Smalley is a wide-awake, up-to-date farmer who con- ducts his farm on a scientific basis, and has a model farin. He now has one hundred and ninety-nine acres of well-improved land and is one of the best farmers in Franklin county. He is a member of the Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows. He has been elected to the office of school director, being a friend of education and doing all in his power to advance that cause and using his best efforts in the building up of the schools. He has always voted the Democratic ticket and takes an intelligent interest in politics.
JESSE D. BORTON.
This influential and trusted official of Webster township, Wayne county, is deserving of special mention in the annals of this region. He comes of good old Welsh stock, and the family to which he belongs has been identi- fied with the Society of Friends for generations, and from them he has doubtless inherited many of his sterling traits of character.
His father, Eber Borton, now the oldest resident of Webster township, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, June 19, 1815, a descendant of one of three brothers who came from Wales in early day to the United States. When he was a young man Eber Borton was a sailor, plying his vocation on various ships in the coasting trade along the Delaware, Hudson, Potomac, James and Mississippi rivers. Finally he left his ship at New Orleans and came to Indiana, taking up his abode in Webster township and engaging in agricultural pursuits. In this new occupation he met with success, as he was a man of good judgment and indefatigable in his labors. From 1850 to 1860 he lived in Iowa, and from 1861 to 1864 he resided in Ohio; but with the exception of these periods he has been a resident of this town- ship ever since his first settlement here. He continued to lead an active life until 1894, when, feeling the weight of years to some extent, he retired, and is now enjoying the fruits of his former years of toil, his home being in the vicinity of his son, Jesse D. Borton. He has been noted for his ardent patriotism at all times. While the civil war was in progress he served as a volunteer in the Eighth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, being mustered out at the close of the great conflict. Later he was one of the charter members of Thomas Cox Post, G. A. R .. besides which he has been associated with Webster Lodge, No. 371, I. O. O. F.
On the 5th of October, 1848, a marriage ceremony united the fortunes of Eber Borton and Cynthia Roberts. She was born May 17, 1831, a daugh- ter of Walter and Hannah (Johnson) Roberts, prominent citizens of Webster township, Wayne county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Borton was blessed with the following named children: William Arthur, born July 15, 1849; James T., born September 23, 1850, and died February 13, 1868; Mary, now the widow of Samuel Mendenhall, born June 23, 1852; Charles, born Sep- tember 27, 1854, died November 19, 1855; Jesse D., born September 26, 1856, and Harvey R., born January 17, 1859.
As noted, the subject of this sketch, Jesse D. Borton, was born about
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forty-three years ago and is consequently in the prime of manhood. He received no educational advantages save such as the country schools afforded; but he possessed an observing mind and has acquired an extensive amount of information upon all subjects of general importance. He was but a year old when brought from Iowa, his native state, to this township, and here he has spent the greater share of his life. Reared upon a farm, he became thor- oughly familiar with the duties of an agricultural career, but has always evinced a marked liking for merchandising. In 1888 he bought out the busi- ness of Charles R. Unthank in the village of Webster, and has since success- fully conducted this enterprise.
Politically he is a stanch Republican, and during the administration of President Harrison he was appointed to the position of postmaster of Web- ster; and his wife also received an appointment as postmistress, entering upon her duties as such on New Year's day, 1898. For the past five years he has been a trustee of Webster township, and during this period many enterprises greatly accruing to the benefit of this community have been carried through, under his supervision, such as the placing of steel culverts and arches where needed at the intersection of roads and streams, the improve- Inent of the local school system and the amelioration of other affairs of import- ance. Mr. Borton has creditably filled numerous offices in the lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, of which he is a member; and he is moreover affiliated with the Masonic order. For a period of ten years-1885 to 1895-he was the secretary of Webster Lodge, No. 371, I. O. O. F.
The marriage of Jesse D. Borton and Miss Hattie Morgan took place in Centerville, Indiana, August 18, 1881, and their only child, Frank R., was born in August, 1883. £ Mrs. Borton is a daughter of Joseph and Louisa (Thomas) Morgan, respected citizens of Centerville.
BENJAMIN F. CLAYPOOL.
Benjamin F. Claypool, deceased, was for many years one of the leading factors and prominent attorneys of Connersville, Indiana. This volume would not be complete without at least a brief review of his life. He was born in the above named place December 12, 1825, and after an eventful career died in the city in which he was born. He was the son of Newton and Mary (Kerns) Claypool, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively. He was of Irish-Welsh extraction. His father was an early resident of Conners- ville, figuring prominently in the city as well as county history of this portion of Indiana. He resided there until 1836, and then removed to a farm one mile to the north of Connersville, now the home of A. B. Claypool, whose sketch and ancestral history appear in this work. In 1834 our sub- ject entered college, having received instruction in the old seminary,
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under Harvey Mitting, who taught the usual branches and French and Latin. He entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and pursued a classic and belle-lettres course, completing the same in 1836. In 1845 he entered the office of the late Hon. O. H. Smith, of Indianapolis, where he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1847. The same year he located at Conners- ville, where he began the active practice of his favorite profession. By study and close application he soon took front rank with the foremost attorneys of eastern Indiana, then represented by some of the most brilliant men in the state. Here our worthy subject lived and labored the reniainder of his days. At the bar he was for years accounted a leader. At the date of his death he was not only the oldest member of the bar but also the most prominent.
Politically, Mr. Claypool was a Whig up to 1856, when he joined the newly formed Republican party. That year he was a delegate to the national convention at Philadelphia, which nominated John C. Fremont for president. In 1864 he was a presidential elector from the fifth district, and in 1868 was one of the electors at large for the state. In 1860 he was elected state senator for the counties of Fayette and Union, serving during the war of the Rebellion. He favored a strong prosecution of that great civil conflict. As a public speaker he was earnest and forcible, as well as one of decided convictions. On the campaign stump he was convincing, and a public winner in the cause he espoused. For several years he was identified with the State Bank at Connersville, serving as its president; subsequently he was president of the First National Bank of the same city, beginning with its organization in 1873. In 1874 he of whom we write this memoir was nominated for congress in the fifth district, but the fate of his party seemed against him and he was not elected.
Among the important events of his life was his marriage, August 4. 1855, to Alice Helm, the daughter of Jefferson Helm, M. D., of Rush county, Indiana. By this union two children were born, -Benjamin F. and a daughter. Indiana has produced many brainy men and not a few have been associated with the legal fraternity; and it may be truly stated that ~ but few ranked in his day higher than the one of whom we have just written.
WILLIAM NEWKIRK.
William Newkirk, the pioneer furniture manufacturer of the bustling city of Connersville, Indiana, president of the Indiana Furniture Company and the Fayette Banking Company, very naturally finds a place in this con- nection.
He is the son of Jacob and Annie Newkirk and was born in Fayette county, Indiana, in 1824. He was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education at the public schools common to that day. When a young
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man, he left the farm and came to Connersville, entering the store of the late George Freyberger, who was the leading merchant and general financial man of that time. After working here a few years he engaged in conducting a hardware store on his own account. In November, 1865, he and A. C. Cooley, with George W. Gregg, formed a company for the purpose of man- ufacturing furniture. They began in a shop near the water-works and car- ried on a retail business, down town, until 1869, when they dissolved, Mr. Newkirk taking the factory and machinery, while Cooley and Gregg took the retail branch of the business. Our subject then associated with him Her- man Munk, continuing until 1874, then sold his interest to James E. Roberts. On selling out he organized the Indiana Furniture Company, of which he has since become the president and the leading spirit. It was incorporated by J. B. McFarlan, John W. Ross, J. M. Willson, B. F. Claypool, and G. C. and F. A. Hansen. It was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars; and the capital stock is now one hundred thousand dollars. About two hundred men are constantly employed and they turn out two hundred thousand pieces of furniture annually. In 1893 our subject was one of the organizers of the Fayette Banking Company and he is its president.
Although a man full of business, yet he is not unmindful of his religious duty. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church, is a benevolent man and pays his share to all philanthropic causes, on the church officiary his name is conspicuous, and he was a potent factor in the erection of the new church edifice. This beautiful structure, on the corner of Seventh and Central avenue, is a freestone building, equipped after modern plans and a befitting temple in which to worship. Mr. Newkirk has been a delegate to the Methodist Episcopal general conference of the United States several times and has held other important positions in the church. For years he has been the president of the board of trustees of De Pauw University. Politically. he casts his vote with the Republican party, but seeks no office at the hands of this great organization.
In business circles and in a social way, there must needs be inen of strong personality and elements of leadership, and in this man we find just these elements. Long after he has gone from earth's circles, the work he has planned and started, both in business and in society, as well as in matters of religion, will not entirely fade away.
GEORGE SCHOLL.
Perhaps no person living is more closely associated with the early history of Fayette county, Indiana, or inore prominently identified with the more recent prosperity of that territory, than is the gentleman whose name appears above. Generous and liberal to a fault, he has ever stood ready to aid and
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encourage any enterprise that promised to be of benefit to the community. Public-spirited and enterprising, he has won the esteem and confidence of all who know him, and their names are legion. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on March 6, 1817, the son of John Jacob and Margaret (Hetzell) Scholl. The family are Germans, the grandfather having been born in the Fatherland, and in childhood took passage, on a shipping vessel, for America, in company with his parents and the other members of their fam- ily. The voyage proved to be a most tempestous and stormy one, the vessel being driven far out of her course, and much sickness and suffering resulted. Many of the passengers died and were buried at sea, and among the number were the entire Scholl family, except one little boy, who lived to become the grandfather of our subject. He went to the state of Pennsylvania, where his entire life thereafter was passed. He had a family of five children, -- Chris- tina, Leonard, Peter, Henry and John Jacob.
John Jacob Scholl was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 1773, and grew to manhood and was married in that state. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret Hetzell. They resided in their native state until 1833, when they moved to Fayette county, Indiana, locat- ing in Jennings township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was permitted to live to an exceptionally advanced age, having almost rounded out a century, and died April 19, 1870, aged ninety-six years, three months and nineteen days. His wife had preceded him to the better land, her death occurring October 19, 1854, at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of fourteen children, namely: John, Catherine, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jacob, Rebecca, David, Mary, Joseph, Anna, Solomon, George, Henry and Judy. But four of this family now survive, two sons and two daughters, namely: David, who is now about ninety years of age and resides in Dublin, this state; George, our subject; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Reibsomer, of Connersville; and Anna, Mrs. Titterington, who makes her home with her brother George. John Jacob Scholl was a typical pioneer. He was a cooper by trade, but a farmer by occupation, having' purchased one hundred acres of land on section 26, Jennings township, where his last years were spent. He was a most exemplary citizen, and both he and his wife were devout members of the Lutheran church.
George Scholl was but sixteen years old when his parents moved to this state from Pennsylvania, and a residence of almost three-score years and ten in this county has caused his name to be loved and respected by all. He has been industrious and hard-working and in his younger days laid up a sufficient competence to secure his declining years against want or the necessity of labor. Frugal and enterprising, he has ever set, to the younger generations, an example that has been well worthy of emulation on the part of those who
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desire to become honorable and respected citizens. On February 19, 1848, he led to the altar Miss Mary Wilson, who was born in Union county, this state, November 11, 1824. She was a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Dun- can) Wilson, who came to that county from Pennsylvania, in 1820. Of a family of ten children born to them, but six reached mature years, namely: Richard, Mary, Andrew, Sarah, David, and Rachel. Mrs. Wilson died Jan- uary 2, 1860, and her husband breathed his last at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Scholl, April 20, 1871, at the age of eighty years and three months. The union of Mr. Scholl and Mary Wilson was without issue, but they took into their hearts and home an infant, Catherine Bien, whom they have given all the advantages and affection which could have been accorded their own daughter. She is the wife of Joseph Davis. Later Miss Florence Huber, a great-niece, made her home with them. They became earnest members of the Baptist church, with which Mrs. Scholl united in 1848, and her husband in 1863. They were zealous workers in the cause of religion and contributed with a liberal hand to the calls made upon them. Forty-five years of mar- ried life was allotted to them,-years filled with the most blessed memories, -and then came the greatest affliction of our subject's life, when, on Decem- ber 17, 1893, the silver cord was loosed and Mrs. Scholl, the loving and con- siderate wife, entered the dreamless sleep that ends on the resurrection morn. Her life was one of singular purity and unselfishness, and her memory will live in the hearts of many grateful recipients of her thoughtful love, until they, too, shall have joined the throng who have entered the New Jerusalem.
Mr. Scholl is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote in 1840. No words of eulogy are needed in writing this biography, for the plain, sim- ple, honest life of Mr. Scholl speaks for itself. No one will ever know the many kind deeds he has done, as he is quiet and unostentatious in his chari- ties. Honorable and just in all his dealings, he has won a reputation that is well worthy of emulation.
· LEMUEL J. WILSON.
A prosperous and respected farmer of Brookville, Franklin county. Indiana, Lemuel J. Wilson, was born on the farm now occupied by him, on .October 12, 1843. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Jeter) Wilson, and a grandson of Williamn Wilson, who was a native of Maryland and moved to South Carolina, afterward coming to Franklin county, Indiana, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now owned and occu- pied by our subject. The grandmother, Patty (Charles) Wilson, was also a native of Maryland. Their family consisted of seven children, -Samuel, Joel, John, William, Charles, Nancy, and Sarah, the wife of Stephen Martin.
Charles Wilson was a man of prominence, honest and straightforward in
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all his business relations. He was a stanch Democrat and took great interest in all political questions. He died in 1889 at the age of seventy-eight years, and was one among the oldest residents of Brookville township at the time of his death. He was born in South Carolina and his wife a native of this county. She died in 1892, aged seventy-five years. Nine children made up their family, -Henry; William; John, deceased; Susannah, deceased; Lem- uel J., our subject; George A., deceased; Fielding, deceased; Sarah M., deceased; and Patty Ellen, wife of Edward Halstead.
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