USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 9
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 9
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 9
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 9
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In his political affiliations the Doctor is a Republican, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never aspired to office outside the lines of his professional duties. His name is on the membership roll of Centerville Lodge, No. 154, Knights of Pythias, and he is regarded as one of the valued representatives of the order, in the work of which he takes an active interest. He resides on the old King homestead, near Centerville, where he has eighty acres of land that was once owned by his grandfather. who, seventy years ago, erected the residence, which has, however, been greatly remodeled and improved by the Doctor. In all the relations of life Dr. King commands the respect and confidence of his fellow men and his friends are almost as strong numerically as his acquaintances.
On the 2d of June, 1885, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Lulu Bee- son, a daughter of Monford Beeson, and their union has been blessed with four children: Ethel, Florence B., Vivian and James Xenophon. Mrs. King is the owner of the old Beeson homestead, which was located by her grand- father, Othniel Beeson. He was born in North Carolina in 1813, a son of Benjamin Beeson, who came to the territory of Indiana in 1814. He was reared on a farm and throughout his life successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. He took an active part in politics, supporting the Democratic
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party until 1854, when, differing with it on the slavery question, he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, with which he affiliated until his death. Many official honors were conferred upon him, and his duties were ever faithfully discharged. In 1850 he was elected a member of the state consti- tutional convention, in 1858 was elected to the state senate, and was re-elected in 1862. The following year he was appointed by Governor Morton to investi- gate the condition of refugees sent north by the order of General Sherman, and also to enroll the militia of Wayne county. In 1870 he was elected once more to the state senate, and served as chairman of a number of impor- tant committees. He had an extensive acquaintance among the leading and influential men of the state, and his strong mentality, invincible courage and lofty patriotism left their impress upon the legislation and public policy of Indiana. He died October 10, 1897, and thus passed away one of the lead- ing actors on the stage of Indiana politics.
Monford Beeson, father of Mrs. King, was born in Wayne county, Jan- uary 9, 1835, and in early life became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also made farming his life work, and in connection carried on stock dealing. His home adjoined the old family farmstead, and in both branches of his business he met with fair suc- cess. He, too, took a very active part in political affairs, warmly advocated the principles advanced by the Republican party, and on that ticket was elected to represent Wayne county in the state legislature. He was married October 15, 1856, to Miss Eliza Harvey, who was born January 12, 1836. Their children are F. R. Beeson and Mrs. King. The father died May 16, 1883, and the mother passed away on the 12th of July of the same year. They were most highly esteemed by all who knew them, and their well spent lives gained them many friends.
LORENZO D. SPRINGER.
The subject of this sketch, Lorenzo D. Springer, township trustee of Fairview township, Fayette county, Indiana, is a well known citizen of this place and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His post-office address is Longwood.
Mr. Springer was born in the township in which he now lives, March 9, 1852, son of Lorenzo D. and Rachel A. (Moffitt) Springer. Both his father and mother were born in Pennsylvania and reared in Indiana. At an early day grandfather Springer came from Pennsylvania with his family and located in Franklin county, where he died. His children were John, Nathaniel, Har- ban, Jesse, Dennis, Lorenzo D. and Martha. Lorenzo D. passed his boyhood days in Franklin and Rush counties, in the latter county was married, and came shortly after his marriage to Fairview township, Fayette county, where
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he settled on a farm and reared his family. He died here November 8, 1852. He took an active interest in politics, giving his support to the Republican party at the time it was organized, and filling acceptably a num- ber of local offices, such as justice of the peace, constable, etc. He was a man of deep piety and was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, whose maiden name was Rachael A. Moffitt, was a daugh- ter of Thomas Moffitt, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Fairview township, Fayette county, Indiana, at an early day, when this part of the country was almost an unbroken forest. Here he improved two farms. He was among the leading pioneers of the county, led an active and useful life, from time to time filling local offices of promi- nence and trust, such as county commissioner, postmaster of Longwood for a number of years, etc., and here he spent the greater part of his life and here died, his death occurring August 9, 1872. In referring to his connec- tion with the postoffice at Longwood, it should be further stated that he was one of the men who helped to secure the location of a postoffice at this point. Religiously he was a zealous Methodist, filled all the offices of the church and was a worker also in the Sunday-school.
His children were Rachael A., inother of the subject of this review; Robert; John; Jane, wife of G. Kinder; Thomas; Sally A., wife of G. Hamilton; and William. Fol- lowing is the record of the children of Lorenzo D. and Rachael A. Springer; Orlando G. is a harness-maker at Franklin, Ohio; Thomas L., died in youth; Margaret S. is the wife of Washington Hanna, of Union county, Indiana; Viola E. is the wife of J. P. Holmes, of Connersville, Indiana; Amanda E., is the wife of T. M. Brown, of Connersville, Indiana; and Lorenzo D. Springer is the subject of this sketch.
Lorenzo D. Springer may well be termed a self-made man. When he was less than a year old his father died and he was reared by his widowed mother and early had to depend upon his own resources. He grew up on a farm and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. At the time of his mar- riage, in 1877, he left his mother's home and went to Rush county, Indiana, where he rented a farm and lived four years, at the end of that time return- ing to Fayette county and renting land in Fairview township, which he cul- tivated two years. Then he bought a small farm. By industry and good management he has prospered and has been enabled to add to his original purchase until he now has in this township a fine farm, well improved, and lands in Harrison and Connersville townships, besides being the possessor of a comfortable bank account. At present, however, he resides at his mother- in-law's homestead, caring for her in her old age and having charge of her farming operations.
Mr. Springer has been a Republican from his boyhood, and since he
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became a voter has been enthusiastic for the success of his party, attending conventions, etc., and for years has been a member of the county central committee. He has filled a number of minor local offices, and at this writing is township trustee. In short, he is regarded as one of the Republican leaders in Fairview township.
Following the example of a good Christian mother and a long line of Methodist ancestry, Mr. Springer is an active church worker, being identified with Wiley chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has filled most of the official positions in the church, including that of class-leader, and is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
The date of Mr. Springer's marriage has already been stated. Mrs. Springer, formerly Miss L. Josie Smiley, was born on the farm on which they now live, January 30, 1854, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Smi- ley. Ross Smiley, the father of Thomas, was a Pennsylvanian, who came to Indiana at an early day and settled at Dunlapsville, in Union county, where he was for some years extensively engaged in merchandising. Later he moved to Fairview township, Fayette county, where he opened a country store and did a large business. He invested in large tracts of land and became one of the wealthy and influential men of the county. Twice he was elected and served as a member of the Indiana state legislature, and also served as postmaster and filled other local offices. He died on his farm, in this township, in 1878, respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends- and acquaintances. Thomas Smiley, his son, grew to manhood on his father's farm in this township, and on the old home place lived and died, throughout his life being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Democrat. For a number of years he filled local offices, such as justice of the peace, etc. Religiously he was a Methodist, working in both church and Sunday-school, for years serving as superintendent of the latter. His wife, whose maiden name was Smith, was a daughter of Ebenezer Smith, a native of South Car- olina, who came at an early day to Indiana and improved a farm in Rush county. He was for years largely interested in the stock business, making a specialty of mules, buying and marketing in droves. He was a Democrat and a Methodist. He was the father of a large family of children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Elizabeth, mother of Mrs. Springer; Jane, wife of Jonathan Noble; Benjamin, an attorney of Rushville, Indiana; William, a physician, located at Rushville, Indiana; George, a farmer; John, a farmer; Alford, a physician in Union county, Indiana; Oli- ver, a contractor; Martha, wife of O. Florar; Calvin, a farmer; and Frank, a physician of Arlington, Indiana. The children composing the family of Thomas and Elizabeth Smiley were Mary, wife of M. Gordon; John, a farmer of Rush county, Indiana; L. Josie, wife of Lorenzo D. Springer; Albert, a
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contractor in Rushville, Indiana; Haddin, a commercial traveler; and Thomas, employed on the Sentinel, at Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have had three children, namely: Edith and Raymond, both at home, and Edna M., who died at the age of five months. The two surviving children, Edith and Raymond, have both graduated from the common schools of their township. Later they entered the high school, completing the course and graduating with honors in 1896 and 1898, respectively. At present the son, Raymond, is attending business college at Richmond, Indiana; while Edith, the daughter, remains at home with her parents, receiving instructions in music.
OSCAR E. FULGHUM.
The business college is an institution of our modern civilization and of com- paratively recent introduction. Even in the first half of the century the schools and colleges furnished, in addition to the elementary training, instruction in the languages and classics, fitting one perhaps for the profes- sions, but furnishing no practical training for the hundreds who are concerned with the agricultural and commercial interests of our land. The need for well trained men in the business world, however, has given rise to the busi- ness college, and the course of instruction therein is becoming of more and more practical value, enabling the student in a short time to prepare for the manifold questions with which he must deal in all trade transactions. Hold- ing prestige as one of the oldest and most reliable business colleges in Indiana is the Richmond Business College, of which Professor O. E. Fulghum is president. He is a most capable educator, of broad general as well as specific knowledge, and his realization of the needs of young men and women entering upon business life has enabled him to provide a course of instruction that well fits them for the practical and responsible duties upon which they must enter. The college is at once a credit to the city and its founder, and Professor Fulghum well merits the high reputation which he sustains in business circles.
He was born near Arba, Randolph county, Indiana, October 23, 1862, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state. His parents are F. C. and Rebecca E. (Elliott) Fulghum, and his ancestry can be traced back to Michael Fulghum, his great-grandfather, a native of Wayne county, North Carolina, who was'a planter and owned several hundred acres of land. He wedded Molly Bonn, a lady of French Huguenot lineage. Their ancestors, according to tradition, left France at the time of the expul- sion of the Huguenots from that land. They first took refuge in England, thence caine to America, locating in North Carolina, and younger generations have removed to the west, so that representatives of the family are now found in various states. Michael Fulghum died in 1804, at the age of sixty-five
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years, and his wife's death occurred about the same time. Thus Frederick Fulghum, grandfather of our subject, was left an orphan when a child of five years. He was born in Wayne county, North Carolina, in 1799, and in 1821 came to the west, locating in the southeastern portion of Randolph county. Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a carpenter and wagon-maker by trade, and throughout the greater part of his life also carried on agricultural pursuits. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republican. A very prominent member of the Society of Friends, he served as elder and did much to advance the cause of Christianity. He married Piety Parker, a lady of English descent, and a daughter of Jesse Parker, who spent the greater part of his life in Guilford county, North Caro- lina, where he engaged in merchandising. About 1830, however, he came to Indiana and spent his last days in the house of Frederick Fulghum. To them were born nine children, three of whom are living, namely: Jesse P., of Richmond; Mrs. Martha Test, also of Richmond; and F. C. The father of this family died in Randolph county, in the spring of 1879.
F. C. Fulghum, father of Professor O. E. Fulghum, and one of the most prominent' and distinguished citizens of Richmond, was born in Randolph county, near Arba, December 25, 1840, and acquired his early education in the common schools of that neighborhood. Later he attended the Friends' Boarding School, now Earlham College, and at the age of nineteen returned to the farmstead, remaining with his father until the latter's death. After · carrying on agricultural pursuits alone for several years he extended the field of his operations by engaging in the lumber business. He was thus employed for fourteen years, having one of the leading sawmills in this section of the state and manufacturing lumber on an extensive scale. In 1882, however, he sold out and came to Richmond, purchasing a half interest in the Rich- mond Business College, with which he has since been connected. He also represented a number of fire and life insurance companies until 1887, but since that time has devoted his entire attention to the school. He is now secretary of the college, which was established in 1860 and is one of the twelve oldest institutions of the kind in the country.
F. C. Fulghum is a leading member of the Society of Friends, is clerk of the quarterly meeting and does considerable missionary work in the inter- ests of the church. He was married January 1, 1862, to Miss Rebecca E. Elliott, and to them were born six children, but only two are living: Walter B., a graduate of the high school of Richmond and a teacher in the commer- cial department of Richmond Business College; and Oscar E., whose name introduces this review.
Born upon the old family homestead in Randolph county, Indiana, Pro- fessor O. E. Fulghum spent his childhood days under the parental roof, and
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in the common schools began his education. He has always been of a stu- dious nature, and is exceptionally well informed. He has now a diploma from the Richmond Business College, granted him in 1882, and from the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois, where he won the master of accounts degree in 1887. Prior to that time he engaged in teaching a com- mercial school for three years in Connersville. He taught telegraphy in Richmond Business College for two years prior to his work in Connersville. After his graduation in Quincy he returned to Richmond and purchased a half interest in the Richmond Business College. In 1898 a stock company was organized and the school was incorporated, the incorporators being Timothy Nicholson, Joseph C. Ratliff, Rev. J. W. Kapp, D. D., Walter B. Fulghum, O. E. Fulghum and F. C. Fulghum. These gentlemen constitute the board of directors and O. E. Fulghum is president and treasurer, while F. C. Ful- ghum is secretary. An excellent faculty has charge of the various branches taught in the institution, and there is an annual enrollment of between two and three hundred students. In 1893 they introduced the Ellis system of commercial instruction, being one of the first schools east of the Mississippi river to adopt this system. It has proved very satisfactory, producing maxi- mum results with minimum efforts,-an effect for which all schools are striv- ing. The work done in the Richmond Business College is most commend- able, showing that the members of the faculty are thoroughly competent and that the president, with a comprehensive knowledge of the needs in this direction, has secured plans and methods which ably fit men and women for the business world.
FRANKLIN Y. THOMAS.
More than four-score years have been added to the ages of the past since the Thomas family was founded in Fayette county, and no better citizens than they have been numbered among the inhabitants of this portion of Indiana. Early in the history of this government, members of the family came from England to cast in their destinies with the country which one day was to be recognized as a great and leading nation among the powers, and of this, the land of their adoption, they have since been most loyal sons. Some bearing the name settled in New England and fought in the Revolution, and in every profession and walk in life representatives of the family have won distinction and high honors.
The immediate ancestor of the subject of this article was Recompense Thomas, whose son, Minor, born in New York state, was the paternal grand- father of Franklin Y. Thomas, who is familiarly known as "Doc." When he arrived at man's estate Minor Thomas became locally famous for the long horseback rides which he took from place to place, within a wide radius, for
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the purpose of preaching the gospel to the scattered inhabitants of the sec- tion of the Empire state in which he dwelt. In 1818 he came to Indiana and entering land in Harrison township, Fayette county, improved a farm' and passed the remainder of his days there. He was affiliated with the Prim- itive Baptist church, and did pioneer work in its establishment throughout eastern Indiana, his main object in life being the elevation of his brother inen. The wife of his youth died at an early age, leaving him with one son, David, who has passed away. To his second union five children were born, namely: Ellen, William. Hewett, Rachel (Mrs. M. Meeker) and Samantha (Mrs. L. Ellis, deceased). Angeline, wife of John Bates, was the only child of the third marriage, and she is now living in Indianapolis.
William, father of F. Y. Thomas, was born in the state of New York, and at the time that his father emigrated to this state, he, a youth of seven- teen, accompanied him. In spite of the meager educational advantages of his day and section of the country, he became exceedingly well informed, and for years was a successful teacher, besides being an expert bookkeeper. He learned the painter's trade and from his boyhood had been well versed in agriculture, so he was qualified to earn a living in several distinct branches of endeavor. After his marriage he bought and located upon a farm, but for many years his energy was given to other pursuits than farming. A fine nat- ural mathematician, he mastered surveying and civil engineering, and made one of the first authoritative surveys of Fayette county. For a number of years he was the chief clerk and the virtual manager of a store at Harrisburg, his employer being well content to leave everything to him, as he had abun- dant confidence in his ability and strict honesty. As might be expected of a man with such a bright mind and versatile talent, he was well posted upon all of the great political questions of his day. Elected on the Whig ticket to the constitutional convention of 1850, he played his part well in that session. When a lad of ten years he was converted, and from that time until his death he was a consistent member of the Baptist church.
He wedded Polly Trowbridge, who, like himself, was a native of Seneca county, New York, and who had come to this state in the same little colony as had the Thomas family. Her father, Levi Trowbridge, entered land and improved a farm in Fayette county, but when well along in years he sold this place and went to Illinois, where he lived with a son until death. Per- haps the most prominent of his sons was Silas, who was a leading physician of Decatur, Illinois, and served as a surgeon in the brigade commanded by General Logan, during the war of the Rebellion, Under the administration of President Grant he was honored by being made United States consul at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in which important position he served for twelve years. Subsequently he made his home in California, where he died about six years
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ago. The elder children were Polly; John, who died in Illinois; Sally, wife of Lester Ellis; and Edwin, who is deceased.
The youngest of four children, Franklin Y. Thomas was born in this county, November 10, 1837. His only sister, Nancy, is the wife of James Col- well, while his elder brother, Hubbard, is a merchant at Harrisburg, and Buel, the younger, is carrying on the old homestead. £ At the time of his marriage our subject removed to his present farm, upon which a little clear-' ing had been done and a log cabin built. Substantial changes for the better have been instituted by him, a good house and barns have replaced the old ones, and everything about the place shows the care of a thrifty and practical farmer. He raises a large variety of crops and has been very successful in the raising of live stock, for which dealers are always ready to pay him the best market prices. -
Fraternally Mr. Thomas is a Mason of the Royal Arch degree. He has never sought nor desired political notoriety, but has manifested an earnest interest in local and general affairs, as a true patriot should. At present he is serving for the fourth term in the capacity of county commissioner, and has so thoroughly satisfied the public by his manner of handling their inter- ests that they seem determined to keep him in office, regardless of his pro- tests. His allegiance is given to the Republican party, in whose platform he believes most thoroughly. During his term of office the court-house has been remodeled, several bridges built and numerous improvements inaugu- rated for the good of the public.
The marriage of Mr. Thomas and Miss Barbara Beeson took place in 1861. Their only child, Flora, born November 1, 1865, is now the wife of Charles D. Florea, an enterprising farmer. Mrs. Thomas is one of the four children of Othneil and Elizabeth (Whissler) Beeson, the others being Mun- ford, who was a farmer and at one time represented this county in the state legislature, but who has passed to his reward; and her sisters, Helena and Melvina, are living, neither being unmarried. Othneil Beeson was a son of Benjamin, grandson of Benjamin, senior, and great-grandson of Isaac Bee- son, all of North Carolina. The last mentioned was of the fifth generation of the family in America, his ancestor being Edward Beeson, who came to this country from Lancashire, England, in 1682, accompanying some col- onists who joined William Penn in Pennsylvania. At the expiration of a few years Mr. Beeson went with a colony of Quakers to found a new settlement in Virginia, whence he later removed to Delaware and bought land situated on the Brandywine, a portion of which property is now included within the cor- poration of Wilmington. Isaac, one of his descendants, founded the family in North Carolina, and in 1812 another Isaac Beeson came to Indiana, set- tling near Richmond, and his example was followed by his brother Benja-
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