USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 100
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
Mr. Wheeler has been twice married, his first wife being Ellen Griffin, of this county, to whom he was married in August, 1892, and to this union there was one child born, Ralph, who is living with his father on the farmn. His second marriage was to Cora Utley, the daughter of Lewis and Jane Utley, to whom he was married on July 3, 1898, and to this union there have been born three children, Pearl and Claud, who are at home, and Roy, de- ceased. In his home life, Mr. Wheeler is an ideal father and husband and is always solicitous for the happiness of his wife and children.
Mr. Wheeler is a Republican in politics, but has never sought any politi- cal office at the hands of his party. He has devoted all of his time and at-
1001
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
tention towards his private interests, although he takes an intelligent interest in the deliberations of his party. He and his family are faithful adherents of the Presbyterian church, and take an active interest in the various depart- ments of work in that denomination. They realize that the church is an im- portant factor in the life of any community, and for this reason take ad- vantage of every opportunity to ally themselves with any movement which has for its end the raising of the moral and religious life of their community. Mr. Wheeler's record has been one replete with duty well done and con- scientiously performed. In every relation of life he has been an advocate of wholesome living and clean politics and has always tried to stand for the highest and best interests of his community and the fact that he is held in high esteem by his neighbors shows that he has not labored in vain. He is a credit to the honored family from which he is descended and will have the satisfaction of handing down to his children the record of a life which has been well spent in the service of his community.
JOHN F. MEADE.
Gibson county has been fortunate in the number and character of its farmers and much of the material prosperity of the county can be attributed to the fact that its farmers have kept abreast of the times. It can hardly be questioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization of any commun- ity. If the farmers are progressive and up-to-date it follows that the stand- ard of living in that community will be high. Thousands of banks have been organized within the last few years in order to supply the needs of the farmer, and according to one authority, the farmer and his crop furnish the bulk of the money for most of the smaller banks throughout the United States. The wholesome living which is the good fortune of the farmer is a big factor in keeping up the general tone of a county. The business men of the towns are drawing the men for their employes from the country and everywhere it is noticed that the men who are rising to prominence in the various activities of life were born and reared on the farm. Gibson county has long been known as one of the very best farming counties of the state. and its excellent farmers have been one of the biggest factors in the material advancement of the county. Among the many excellent agriculturists of Gibson county there is no one who stands higher in the estimation of his
1002
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
fellow citizens than does the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review.
John F. Meade was born in this county, near Owensville, June 25, 1862, the son of John S. and Minerva (Yeager) Meade, who were also natives of this county. His father was a life-long farmer and served as county commissioner at the time when the present court house was built. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife's death occurring August 14, 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. John S. Meade were born ten children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth child in order of birth.
John F. Meade was educated in the district schools of his home neigh- borhood and also took a course in the Francisco high school. He took ad- vantage of his opportunities, applying himself closely to his educational train- ing, so that he became a teacher in his township schools for three terms, and in this profession he proved very successful and no doubt would have had a long and useful career had he chosen to follow that vocation. However, the call of the farm resounded in his ears and feeling that he would prefer an agricultural career to the profession of teaching, he engaged in farming. and in this line of endeavor he has proven very successful, and is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres of fine farming land in Center township. This land he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and with all the modern improvements which he has put on this farm, it is now con- sidered as one of the most valuable farms in the county for its acreage.
Mr. Meade was married on June 24, 1885, to Jessie C. Whiting, the daughter of Captain C. C. and Louisiana (Craig) Whiting, both natives of Posey county, this state. Captain Whiting is referred to in the miltary his- tory elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Meade has been born one child, Flor- ence, who was married in August, 1913, to Floyd Loper, one of the high school teachers in Francisco; they are living in Francisco at the present time.
Mr. Meade has been a life-long Republican in politics and always takes an active interest in the councils of his party. His worth as a man and citizen was recognized by his party and he was nominated on the Repub- lican ticket for township assessor and was elected in due time. He has now held this office for six years, and has given universal satisfaction. He and his wife are faithful and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Francisco. They are deeply interested in the welfare of their community, and any movement which has for its end the bettering of the moral or civic welfare of their immediate locality finds in them ready and sympathetic helpers. Mr. Meade gives his unreserved support to the various
1003
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
enterprises of his community which seek to elevate the moral tone of its members, and by his straightforward and upright dealings in all of his affairs, he has gained for himself a sound reputation for square and honest dealings.
SAMUEL H. LAWRENCE.
It matters much less where geographically a man comes into the world than how he comes into its life as a living force, or what he does and be- comes in it. Heredity and environment have much to do in conditioning his character and power, and fortunate indeed is the individual who has been well born and whose surroundings have made for his best development. The well-known subject of this sketch has been peculiarly blessed in both these respects. He comes from old and highly esteemed ancestors and was reared under excellent home influences, the result being the fine specimen of manhood and citizenship which he today represents.
Samuel H. Lawrence, the son of Solomon M. and Mary E. (Clark) Lawrence, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, March 12, 1851. His father was a native of Ohio and settled in this state in 1833 on the same farm now owned by his son Samuel. He took an active part in the development of this section of this county, and was a true pioneer of his day. He exper- ienced all the vicissitudes and hardships of life in a new country, and at his death. on December 22, 1879, he was missed by a large number of his fellow men as a man who had discharged his every duty in such a manner as to be worthy of the confidence and esteem with which he was universally held. His widow survived him many years and did not pass away until March 30. 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon M. Lawrence were the parents of a large family of eight children: William C., a mail carrier, living in Princeton, Indiana : Mrs. Sarah E. Stormont. deceased : Samuel H., the subject of this sketch; C. W., who lives at Princeton; Mrs. Anna A. Davison, of Prince- ton; Mrs. Nancy E. Hudelson, widow, whose husband was a farmer in Center township, Gibson county: and Mrs. Armilda J. Mahan, who lives with her father on the old home place. Her husband. Thomas Mahan, to whom she was married in 1889, died in July, 1890. leaving one son, Law- renee ; the eighth and youngest child is Hugh T., who lives on a farm in Center township, Gibson county.
Samuel H. grew to manhood with a proper conception of life's responsi-
1001
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
bilities. Reared in close touch with nature, in the fields and woods and farm, at an early age accustomed to manual labor, he developed while still a young man a strong and vigorous physique which, with a naturally keen and alert mind, subsequently made him a fine specimen of manhood. During his child- lood and youth he attended the public schools of his neighborhood and when the time came to choose a vocation, he decided to become a tiller of the soil, which honorable and useful calling he has since followed with satisfactory financial results. He worked on his father's farm until he was about thirty- two years of age, when he bought a farm of eighty acres in Center town- ship. He continued to operate this farm until his father's death, when he later sold it and bought a half interest in the old home place.
He has never been married, his widowed sister and her son having lived with him for the past twenty-five years. On his fine farm of one hun- dred acres he carries on a diversified system of farming, and raises abund- antly all the crops grown in this part of Indiana. He is very much inter- ested in keeping everything on his farm in first class condition, a fact which bespeaks well for the industry and energy of the owner.
In politics he is affiliated with the Progressive party and keeps well in- formed on all the questions of the day. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and contributes freely of his means to the support of that denomination. As a neighbor he is kindly disposed and accommodating and his influence at all times has made for good among those with whom he has been thrown in contact. He is essentially a practical man, sound in judgment and well endowed with that most excellent quality known as good common sense. His integrity, personal honor and high character have won him a conspicuous place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
THOMAS M. PALMER.
The life of the early pioneers of Indiana is always interesting to the modern generation. To the men who were born in the thirties and are still living at the present time, the life of today must present strange contrasts to the life which they lived as boys. Thomas M. Palmer, the subject of this sketch, who was born January 19, 1832. in Vanderburg county, this state, is one of the oldest pioneers now living in Gibson county. His parents were William and Mary (Miller) Palmer, and they came from the East to this state. His father was the first blacksmith in the town of Evansville. When
1005
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Thomas was a small lad of two or three years of age his father, while raising a log for their cabin home, slipped and broke his leg. from which accident he never recovered and his death occurred shortly afterwards, leaving his widow with six children.
Thomas M. Palmer received what little education the schools of that primitive time afforded and can describe very entertainingly the queer old log cabin which then was used as a school house. With its log seats and writing desks tacked to the wall, it was a primitive structure indeed, and yet with the light streaming through the greased paper windows and with the goose quill pen, these forefathers of ours learned to write much better than many of the boys and girls of our schools today. It is related that Jonathan Jen- nings, the first governor of the state in 1816. wrote such a fine hand that his letters were saved by the school teachers throughout southern Indiana and used as window panes, so that the pupils might have the writing of the governor as a model to follow. Mr. Palmer has related to the historians of this volume many interesting incidents of the early days in Indiana. He has one interesting story of a "coon" hunt ; when he reached a tree and fired into the top of the branches, he brought three "coons" out of the tree at one shot.
As a young man Thomas M. Palmer worked at the plastering trade for several years and upon saving one hundred dollars went to Evansville to seek his fortune. Here he entered into partnership with a man by the name of Riley in the buying of poultry and this business proved to be very success- ful. He followed this line for several years and finally went into the raising of sheep. Here he was equally successful and continued to conduct this business for several years. In the meantime he began to acquire land. and in the course of time was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Center township, in this county. In addition he has accumit- lated town property in Francisco, and has interests in several of the banks of the county.
Mr. Palmer was twice married. first to Rosann Gore. a native of the Hoosier state, whose death occurred April 9, 1867. On February 17, 1869, he was again married to Mary A. Heaps, the daughter of Golden and Eliza- beth Heaps, who were natives of England, but had come to this state early in its history.
Politically, Mr. Palmer has been a life-long Democrat and is one of the oldest voters in the county. He has never held any office other than road supervisor of his township, and in the several years during which he dis-
1006
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
charged the duties of this office, he has done very efficient work in fixing up the roads of his township. He and his wife are faithful and earnest mem- bers of the Regular Baptist church at Francisco and are active in the dis- charge of all the obligations which the church demands. For more than twenty years they have lived in Francisco and are enjoying the twilight of their lives surrounded by all the modern conveniences.
Mr. Palmer is one of the few old pioneers left in this county and he is still hale and hearty and able to recall incidents which have happened for the last seventy-five years. The reminiscences of such a man would make an interesting volume for future generations. He is one of the best known men throughout this community and is respected and honored by everyone. Be- cause of his reputation for integrity and his high character, his influence for good in this community has been most potent and in all the relations of life he has commanded the confidence and respect of a long list of friends and acquaintances, and has the satisfaction of knowing that in his old age that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and his counsel. By his long years of hard labor and honest endeavor he has ac- quired a well-merited material prosperity and richly deserves to pass the remainder of his days in peace and quietness, surrounded by those who love him best.
MILTON McROBERTS.
Gibson county could boast of few more progressive and successful farmers and stock men than the subject of this brief biographical review, who has long been well and favorably known in Washington township, and, in fact, in the entire county of Gibson, having operated excellent farming lands for many years, being considered one of the leading citizens of the community. He is enterprising, neighborly and hospitable, combining within himself those qualities of sterling manhood that make not only a useful member of society, but a man whom any locality might well be delighted to honor. In looking to his individual interests, he has never lost sight of his duty to his fellow men and in many ways has contributed to their well being and happiness, yet all in a quiet, unassuming manner, seeking to do good yet avoiding public display.
Milton McRoberts was born November 25, 1850, in Washington town- ship, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Artemus Barnard and Indiana
1007
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
(Lewis) McRoberts. The father was a native of Kentucky, where he was born in 1822, his death occurring in 1895, while the mother was a native of Gibson county, Indiana.
Milton McRoberts' paternal grandfather moved to the state of Ohio about 1823 and settled near Cincinnati and died a few years after locating there. His son, Artemus B., the subject's father, came to the Hoosier state when a young man and settled in Washington township, Gibson county, his brothers having preceded him to this place. Shortly after his arrival in the new community he married and purchased two hundred acres of densely tim- bered land. His energies were then bent toward hewing a home from this uninviting tract, an enterprise in which he was greatly encouraged by his neighbors, who informed him that he would starve to death, as a great por- tion of his land was low and wet. However, it seems that Artemus Mc- Roberts knew what he was about, as he paid no attention to these discour- agements, going ahead steadily in his battle with the virgin forest, and in time was enabled to laugh at the dismal prophecies of those who had belittled his land, it now constituting one of the best tracts in the county. He was a very successful man in his time, of rather a retiring nature, and although handicapped by the lack of an early education gained from books, his innate common sense and maturely developed judgment made him a man looked up to in his community.
Of a family of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, Milton was the eldest, six of these children yet living. His early youth was spent in Washington township, where he assisted his parents in the work on the home farm. On October 2, 1874. Mr. McRoberts was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Elizabeth A. Foster, who was born in Gibson county. To this union have been born nine children, as follows: Clarence was educated in the district schools and college and is now teaching at Wheeling, Indiana ; James L., who received a similar education, taught school for some time, and was appointed trustee of the township in 1912, when the previous trustee died : John R. is living in Patoka; Edith M. is the wife of Samuel Kolb, of Wash- ington township; Sally G. died July 7, 1889; Ethel F. died December 16, 1890; Cornelia is the wife of Fines Trippet ; Louis M. and Edna E. are at home.
Mr. McRoberts has spent his entire life on his farm, which he has de- veloped and cultivated with no small measure of success. He formerly made a specialty of fine stock. his Polled Angus registered cattle being among the best specimens of that sterling breed to be found anywhere.
1008
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
In 1894 Mr. McRoberts was elected trustee of his township on the Democratic ticket, and in the six years in which he gave his best abilities to that important office there was not the slightest adverse criticism of his con- duct of the affairs of that position. During his administration the plan for consolidating the schools was worked out and subsequently adopted.
Mr. McRoberts is deeply interested in the growth and well being of the Union Bethel Presbyterian church in Washington township, in which he has been a deacon and a trustee for several years.
REV. WILLIAM L. McROBERTS.
Although his life work has been the noble calling of agriculture, yet the subject of this sketch, William L. McRoberts, has found time in a busy and useful life to do much toward ameliorating the condition of his fellow men, often laboring with disregard for his own welfare if thereby he might attain the object sought-to make some one better and happier. Such a life as his is rare and is eminently worthy of emulation, being singularly free from all that is deteriorating or paltry, for his influence is at all times uplifting, and thousands of people have been made better for having known him.
William L. McRoberts was born August 8. 1837, at Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of David McRoberts, of New York state, and Rebecca (Abbott) McRoberts, of Maryland. The father of David McRoberts, also named David, was an orderly sergeant in the war of 1812 and remained in the East all his life.
Rev. McRoberts' father removed from the Empire state to Ohio after marrying and settled near Cincinnati. In 1840 he left the Queen City and. with his family, came down the Ohio river to Evansville, Indiana, from which point they came overland to Washington township, Gibson county, and here the father purchased land. A younger brother here joined them, he having come from Cincinnati with the horses, driving them through over the rough trails and primitive roads of the time. Twenty years later, in 1860, the family was joined by Reuben, another brother of the father. Reuben's son, David, enlisted in the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil war, and died in the service. Reuben, a brother of David McRoberts, was a member of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, while another brother, Alex-
1009
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
ander, was attached to the Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Alexander completed his original term of enlistment of three years and then re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. his term of service covering the entire period of hostilities, as did also that of his brother, Reuben.
David McRoberts spent his life on his farm in Washington township, cultivating his land in seasonable weather and during the winter months working at his trade as a cooper. In this craft he was possessed of great skill, and his talents at that time were devoted to the making of lard pails, there being a great demand for these to be used in shipping down the river to New Orleans. He was a few years over sixty when he died, his death being caused by the bursting of a blood vessel. To Mr. and Mrs. David Mc- Roberts were born twelve children, but two of whom are now living, a num- ber of them dying in infancy, the rest reaching an old age.
William L. McRoberts passed his boyhood days on the home farm, lending a hand to the arduous task of making a wilderness yield forth its best for the support of the hardy pioneers. He secured what education it was possible to obtain in the crude schools of the district at that time, re- maining on the home farm until 1861. On February 3, 1861, he was united in marriage to Mary Kirk, of Washington township, Gibson county. the daughter of an old pioneer family in that community, the town of Kirksville having been named in honor of them. To this union were born four chil- dren, namely: W. A., of Washington township; Ambrose, of Evansville, Indiana ; Ethel, who married Robert MI. Keel, a minister of the gospel, and lives in Illinois ; David A., who is a minister in Illinois.
The first wife of Mr. McRoberts died in 1907, and he subsequently married Mrs. Rosella Thompson, of Washington township, Gibson county, the daughter of Alexander Bennet, an early settler of this county, who was born in 1800 and died in 1875. His second wife had a daughter, Ethel, by her first marriage, who is now the wife of Henry Troutman, of Washing- ton township.
Mr. McRoberts has followed the vocation of farming practically his entire lifetime, although in his younger days he worked at the cooper's trade with his father. Over thirty years ago the subject entered the ministry and has been preaching to the local Methodist church ever since. Now. at the age of seventy-six years, he is enjoying good health and is as active as many a man of twenty-five years younger.
While never having taken an active interest in political affairs, aside
(64)
IOIO
GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.
from the intelligent exercise of his franchise, the subject consented to accept a term of six years in the office of county commissioner, in which position he very creditably acquitted himself.
While agriculture has been Mr. McRoberts' chief life work, he has de- voted considerable attention to his duties as a minister of the gospel, being earnest in all he says and does. He is known throughout this locality as one of the leading citizens of a community noted for the high order of its citizen- ship. He is truly a good and useful man, but he is plain and unassuming, and strives to do his duty at all times, regardless of inconvenience to himself.
WILLIS PAULEY.
The people who constitute the bone and sinew of this country are not those who are unstable and unsettled, who fly from one occupation to an- other, who do not know how to vote until they are told, and who take no active and intelligent interest in the civic affairs of their community. The backbone of this country is made up of the families who have made their homes, who are alive to the best interests of the community, who attend to their own business in preference to the affairs of others, and who work on steadily from day to day, taking the sunshine with the storm, and who rear a fine family to a comfortable home and an honest life. Such people are always welcome in any country and in any community. They are wealth producers, and Gibson county is fortunate in being blessed with many of them, among whom is the subject of this sketch.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.