USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 37
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"There are manifold ways wherein a jurist may create enemies. He is constantly passing on motions and demurrers, smoothing out knotty places in the laws and settling controversies between lawyers and contentions be- tween litigants. Many lawyers are politicians and there are few litigants who do not take an interest in politics. Circuit judges owe their nominations to political parties and he who can discharge conscientiously the exacting duties of his office and at the same time maintain his political balance, must be an 'able and just judge' and a 'model citizen,' strongly intrenched in the affec- tions of his constituency, or a man of rarest diplomacy.
"Judge Welborn's record is a remarkable one, and it is a striking tribute to his integrity and ability that more than fifty leading representatives of the bar associations of Evansville, Vincennes, Mont Vernon, Petersburg and Princeton gathered at the festal board to do him honor. He could receive no higher testimonial, no fitter encomium, as he closes his official career of thirty- six years and voluntarily seeks retirement to private life."
The Princeton Democrat, February, 1890: "Judge Welborn has long filled that office to the satisfaction of the people of all parties in this circuit. His long experience, great learning, untiring industry, patience, and absolute impartiality render him one of the best trial judges in the state. These quali- fications eminently fit him for the supreme bench, where his services would be equally satisfactory to the state at large. Had all our supreme judges been so eminently endowed with these traits, the docket of that court would not be so far behind."
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Mount Vernon Evening Sun, October 22, 1909: "In his long judicial service, many cases, civil and criminal, of vast import have been tried before him. Whatever popular opinion may have been as to the results reached, few ever questioned his conduct as judge. Many of these cases have been ap- pealed. In most instances the judgments were affirmed and not a few of the cases are today landmarks of the law in Indiana, both from the importance of principles involved and the novelty of questions decided. One characteris- tic of Judge Welborn which greatly commended him to the people, has been his firm stand for the peace and quiet of society. While tempering justice with mercy when circumstances warranted it, he believed the crime should be punished and, above all, life and property protected."
Judge Welborn has ever kept in touch with the interests of his city and county, and is an ardent advocate and liberal patron of all worthy enterprises making for their advancement and prosperity. The Judge was a stockholder and director of the People's National Bank of Princeton, in the success of which he was a very important factor, and, as throwing a side light on his character and on the business methods advocated by him, the following lines are quoted from the Berkeley, California. Independent, of December 10, 1907:
"In the city of Princeton, Indiana, there is a bank that has made a unique record for itself during these trying times. It is the People's Na- tional Bank, with a capitalization of only one hundred thousand dollars, but carrying deposits well up towards a half million. When the crash came in the last days of October, the banks where it was carrying its main reserve funds suddenly sent out word to all the interior banks that their money could not be furnished them on call, and along with this disturbing news volunteered the advice to them that the only thing to do was to run on a limited schedule so to speak. But it did not take the directors and officers of this bank long to decide that they would do nothing of the sort. For nearly half a century they had met every legitimate demand without cavil, and they decided to maintain the same policy to the end. This in spite of the fact that probably no other bank in hundreds of miles around would undertake to do the same thing. But what happened? When the end of the first week came they had more money than at the beginning; at the close of business the second week they were abundantly supplied with funds, and at the close of the fifth week they were in better condition than at any time in the history of the bank. This bank didn't scare the people by first getting scared itself. The panic in that city lasted less than three days, for the people didn't hoard their money."
Sufficient has been said to indicate the Judge's character and high stand-
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ing in the community where he has so long resided, and it only remains to be said that throughout his entire professional and official career he has been animated by lofty motives and made every personal consideration subordinate to the higher claims of duty. Broad and liberal in his views, with the greatest good of his fellow men ever before him, his conduct has been that of the lover of his kind and the true and loyal citizen who is ready at all times to make any reasonable sacrifice for the cause in which his interests are enlisted. He is withal a man of the people, proud of his distinction as a citizen of the state and nation for whose laws and institutions he has the most profound admira- tion and respect, while his strong mentality, good judgment and unimpeach- able integrity have demonstrated to the satisfaction of all his ability to fill honorably important official positions, and to discharge worthily the duties of high trust.
COL. WILLIAM M. COCKRUM.
The Cockrum family of Gibson county are of Scotch descent and among the very early settlers in this part of Indiana. Col. James W. Cockrum, the father of William M., was born in North Carolina in 1799. From there he removed to Tennessee, and in 1816 came to Gibson county, Indiana. He settled near Francisco, but soon afterwards removed to a farm east of Oak- land City, where he lived for several years. He subsequently moved onto a farm where the town of Oakland City now stands and remained there until his death, in 1875. In early days he was a colonel of militia. He was a man of unusual intelligence and business capacity and for ten years followed steam- boating on the southern rivers. He was the owner of two steamboats, the "Otsego" and the "Nile," and wore them out in the southern cotton trade. He ran a great many flat-boats that carried produce to New Orleans and other southern cities. In addition, he always carried on farming and mercantile business at home. In later years he became an active and zealous member of the General Baptist church. His efforts in building up that religious de- nomination of which he was a member and supplying it with a house to wor- ship in, are still remembered by the older people of Oakland City. He was a just man. It can be truthfully said of him that he died leaving to his posterity the legacy of a life and name untarnished by an act of wrong or injustice to a living man. His intelligence pointed out to him that a free and liberal system of schools was the best safeguard of our liberties, therefore, any proposition in that direction found him an enthusiastic supporter.
COL. WM. M. COCKRUM.
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Politically, he was an old-line Whig and later a Republican. He repre- sented Gibson county in the State Legislature in 1848 and again in 1852. He was an active supporter of the old Straight-line railroad and one of its direct- ors. He was a firm temperance man and, with the aid of his two sons, kept Oakland City free from saloons as long as he lived, and the two sons fought it out for the next seven years, or until 1881. Mr. Cockrum was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Sarah Barrett. a native of South Carolina. By that union there were seven children, none of whom are now living. After the death of his first wife, Colonel Cockrum married Indah P. Barrett, a sister of his first wife and a daughter of William Barrett. Col. William M. Cockrum is the only survivor of that union. He was born December 8. 1837, on the old Cockrum homestead, now in the center of Oakland City.
William M. Cockrum is a self-made man. There was but poor oppor- tunity in his youth for receiving an education. He was very active in "under- ground railroad" work in this section. After the passage of the fugitive slave law of 1850, there was a great impetus given to fugitive slave hunting in all the free states, and in many cases free negroes were captured and sold into slavery for life. He was one of the twelve men who kidnapped the ten negro hunters who were trying to capture free negroes and gave them a lesson that they never forgot. This act greatly lessened the annoyance that our people had from these negro hunting bullies.
At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and rose through the intermediate grades from a second lieutenancy to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. He re-enlisted and continued in the service until the close of the war. In the battle of Chicka- mauga he was desperately wounded, an ounce ball passing through his body at his hips. He was captured lying on the battlefield and taken to Libby prison, where he remained for eight months, suffering untold misery which has left him a cripple for life.
In his younger days, William M. Cockrum engaged with his brother, James M. Cockrum, in a general store and the produce business and dealt largely in pork and leaf tobacco. They had over one hundred hogsheads of tobacco in New Orleans when the war came that they never got one cent for. Since the war he has engaged in farming and fruit growing. Colonel Cock- rum, in many respects, is a typical Westerner, imbued with that vim and push that is so characteristic of the free sons of the West. He has done more to build up the town of Oakland City than any other resident.
On October 5, 1856, Colonel Cockrum was united in marriage to
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Lucretia, daughter of John and Mary (O'Neil) Harper. She also is of Scotch-Irish descent. Nine children have been born to them. Their names in the order of their birth are: John B., who is a lawyer, is and has been for the last fifteen years Vanderbilt's general attorney for the Lake Erie railroad and its tributary ; he has recently served two years as grand sire of the Odd Fellows of the World; is a thirty-second-degree Mason and lives in Indian- apolis. Ella C., the widow of W. S. Wheatley, deceased, is the teacher of English and dean of the women of the Oakland City College. Clara C. is the wife of T. M. Campbell. Willie died in infancy. Oliver M. was govern- ment land inspector and died in Bismark, North Dakota, in 1907. Zoe C., the wife of Prof. B. W. Aldrich, at Moores Hill College. Mary C., the wife of Rev. W. P. Dearing, president of Oakland City College. James W., presi- dent of the J. W. Cockrum Printing Company. Marion O. Cockrum, owner of the M. O. Cockrum jewelry store.
Mr. Cockrum is an earnest worker in the cause of Christianity, a member of the General Baptist denomination. Politically, Colonel Cockrum since casting his first vote has been an earnest Republican. In 1907 he published "A Pioneer History of Indiana." The book is full of thrilling incidents cf the pioneer life, telling how people had to live, their manners and customs. giving the history of many of the battles they had with Indians and the beasts of the forest. A history of the public schools is also given.
GILBERT R. STORMONT.
Gilbert R. Stormont was born ( 1843) in Gibson county, about four miles east of Princeton. His father was William Stormont, who came with the Stormont family from South Carolina in 1832, and whose ancestry is given in detail in the history of the Stormont family in another place in this volume. His mother was Elvira Louisa Carithers, a daughter of Andrew Carithers, ' who came from Lincoln county, Tennessee, in 1836. His mother died in 1852; her sister, who married James Stormont, died in 1877; a brother. Andrew J. Carithers, died at his home near Princeton in 1893; another sister, Mrs. John Dunlap, of Chicago, is the only one of the Andrew Carithers family now living.
The early boyhood life of the subject of this sketch was spent on the farm, and he contributed a boy's part to the work incident to farm life. His advent was at a time when most of the neighborhood in which he lived was in the native forest, and the changing of this forest into cultivated fields re-
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quired much hard labor on the part of the head of the family, and all the boys who were available for service. About the time he got big enough to make a full hand on the farm the Civil war came, and, following the example of nearly all the boys and able-bodied men of the neighborhood, he enlisted in the army. His enlistment was in Company B, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, dated October 1, 1861, organized in Princeton. The regiment left the organization camp for the front December 13, 1861. The subject of this sketch followed the fortunes of this regiment until the expiration of his term of service, November 12, 1864, participating in the battles of Stone's River, Chickamauga, and a number of other engagements.
The opportunities for education were limited in the early life of this subject, but the opportunity was not altogether lacking. There was the dis- trict school, in the old log school house at the foot of that big hill near the Makemson home, where "lickin' and larnin'" was carried on in a spasmodic sort of a way for two or three months in the year; then there were other schools of more modern methods in the neighborhood later on. The teachers in these schools, as a rule, didn't know much, but educational qualification was not the most essential requirement for a school teacher in those days. Whatever education the subject of this sketch acquired was obtained in these schools and in the more advanced schools in Princeton, and in the Indiana University, which he attended after his army service.
Mr. Stormont was engaged in teaching for awhile, but it is not neces- sary for the reader to make any deductions as to qualifications from the fore- going paragraph. His first experience in that line of work was in a district school down near the old reservoir. hard by the Jimpid water where the frogs rendered grand opera, by day and by night; one term in Oakland City, when that town had Mayhugh's hotel, two stores and a blacksmith shop; one year in the old Seminary, in Princeton, where the hogs were wont to hold stated meetings under the floor, and engage in noisy dispute for favorite place, and where the fleas roamed at will throughout the building: two years in the Princeton graded school in the new building, with D. Eckley Hunter as super- intendent. Then he got into the newspaper game. He went to .Albion. Illinois, in 1873, and bought an okl pile of junk and converted it into a news- paper outfit with which the Albion Journal was founded. This venture. though at first it did not appear very promising, proved to be a financial success. After three years Mr. Stormont sold the Journal plant and re- turned to Princeton, and, in 1877, he bought the Princeton Clarion, which he continued to publish for nearly twenty-five years. If there is any marked distinction or creditable record made in his life work it will probably be con- ceded that it was made while editor and publisher of the Clarion. Anyhow,
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this record, whether creditable or otherwise, remains open for inspection and review. The files of the Clarion are in the public library in Princeton, and are in constant use by those seeking information of past events. In addition to his newspaper work, Mr. Stormont has engaged in other work of literary character. His name appears as the author, compiler and publisher of several books and pamphlets of historical character, the most important of which is "Hight's History of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment."
The political affiliation of the subject of this sketch is with the Repub- lican party. His first vote for President was cast for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. His last was for William Howard Taft. He was a delegate to the Repub- lican national convention, in 1884, that nominated James G. Blaine and Gen. John A. Logan. He was presidential elector for the first district of Indiana and cast one of Indiana's fifteen votes for Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Warren Fairbanks for President and Vice-President. As census supervisor, in 1880, he had supervision of the census enumeration in fourteen counties in the southern part of the state. He was deputy collector of internal revenue, in the Evansville district, in 1899-90, under Judge Henry, collector, at Terre Haute. Resigning that position, he accepted an unsolicited appoint- ment as commandant of the Indiana State Soldiers' Home, at Lafayette, con- tinuing in that service for nearly four years. Resigning that position, he re- turned to his home in Princeton, and soon after was again appointed to the revenue service. This appointment was in the special revenue service, with headquarters at Cincinnati, in a district comprising Ohio, Indiana and Michi- gan. In 1908 he was transferred to Indianapolis, and later was assigned to the duty of division deputy collector, with headquarters at Terre Haute. On account of the political upheaval of 1912 his connection with the revenue service ceased May 1, 1914, his brand of politics not being in accord with that prevailing in Washington. That it was not because of inefficiency, is evidenced by the following testimonial from his chief accompanying his dis- charge from the service: "In this connection I desire to acknowledge the good service you have rendered as deputy, and to testify to your fidelity and fitness as an official in the United States revenue department."
Mr. Stormont has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization as a national order in 1868. He is a charter member of Archer Post, Princeton, and served as department commander of Indiana in 1890-91. With few exceptions, he has attended all the national and de- partment encampments since the organization of the order.
Mr. Stormont was married to Kate Keys, in Princeton. March 16, 1870. They are members of the United Presbyterian church. The children living are Harry K., who married Eunice Heston, their son, Lowell Heston, living
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at Indianapolis. Ralph MI., who married Mary Genung, living in Oakland City. Donald M., who married Pearl Murphy, their daughter, Margaret Catherine, living in Princeton.
(PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The publishers of this work take the privilege of adding a few words to the above sketch, to say that Mr. Stormont has for many years been numbered among the leading citizens of Gibson county, and is a worthy representative of a family which, from the pioneer period, has been closely identified with the history of this section of the state. The family has been characterized by personal courage. love of justice, intense loyalty and sturdy integrity, qualities which will make any people great. These same qualities have been exemplified in the subject of this review, who, as soldier, editor, public official and private citizen, has stood firnily for those things which are right and which have tended to advance the general welfare of the community. He has thus rightfully earned the position generally ac- corded him as one of the representative men of his county.)
WILLIAM L. WEST.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review needs no introduction to the people of Gibson county, since his entire life has been spent in this community, a life devoted not only to the fostering of his own interests, but also to the welfare of all. An honorable represent- ative of one of the esteemed families of his section and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the public view, as the important official positions he has held bear witness. He is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the full sense of the term, and is regarded as one of the very best business men the county can boast of. As a citizen, he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal and has the unqualified respect and confidence of all.
William L. West, president of the First National Bank, formerly the People's State Bank, of Oakland City, Indiana, first saw the light of day on May 6, 1849, two miles east of Fort Branch, Indiana. He is a son of Samuel H. West, Sr., and his wife, Catherine (Sidle) West, who was born in Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, in 1823. She was a daughter of George and Barbara Sidle, who came from Pennsylvania to Gibson county in 1828 and settled in Union township, north of the old West homestead. Here they obtained land, which they cleared and upon which they built their home and continued to
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live on that spot for many years. They later moved to Fort Branch, where they died. The Sidle family was of German extraction.
Samuel H. West, Sr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born seven miles west of Fort Branch, Indiana, in 1820. He was the son of James West, of South Carolina, who was the first member of the family to come to Gibson county. Here he settled near Blythe's Chapel, where he obtained heavily timbered land, which he converted into well tilled acres, with comfortable dwelling and outbuildings, and where he passed the remainder of his life. He married Barbara Borum and to their union were born the following children, namely: Samuel H., afterwards known as Samuel H., Sr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch. Eliza, who died at home. William, a farmer in Union township, who married Nancy Pritchett. Doss, one of the sons, died during the war, at Knoxville, Ten- nessee; he was unmarried and a member of the Fifty-eighth Regiment In- diana Volunteer Infantry. Betsy married John Redmond and they lived in Union township. Both are now dead. Louisa, another daughter, married Harrison Eaton and they made their home in Owensville. The youngest child was Polly, who became the wife of John Pritchett and they lived near Owensville.
Samuel H. West, Sr., grew up on the homestead, assisting his father. He had very little opportunity for schooling, owing to the moderate circum- stances of his parents and the meager opportunities at best. but he was a natural reader and student and acquired through his own efforts quite a good education. As he grew to manhood, he desired to possess land in his own right and, in return for a horse, saddle and bridle, he received eighty acres of heavily timbered land lying two miles east of Fort Branch. To this first possession he added from time to time until he finally possessed four hun- dred acres of the finest land in the county. This he continued to farm until he retired in 1892. He had the reputation of being an exceptionally good business man, a man who could truthfully style himself "self made," and was well known all over the county. To Samuel H. West, Sr., and his wife Catherine were born seven children: Louisa, who became the wife of N. H. Dorsey, a retired farmer at Oakland City; she died in February of 1913. The second child in order of birth was William L., the immediate subject of this sketch. John A., born October 28, 1851, lives at Antioch, California, and is president of the Antioch National Bank. He married Emma Teck- lenburg. Elzaphan was born August 25, 1853, and died August 30, 1855. Mary was born February 7, 1856, and is the wife of P. Bryant, of Fort Branch, Indiana. Isabella, born November 18, 1858, married Charles Gil-
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bert, of Columbus, Ohio. Susan, born October 11, 1863, is the wife of William A. Baldwin, residing at Lake Winona, Indiana. Samuel H., born July 8, 1861, is the president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Fort Branch. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mattie Cooper, and the second wife Agnes Blessing. Samuel H. West, Sr., and wife were life- long members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and gave much of their time and means to further the cause of religion. His death occurred in June, 1898, and she died December 28, 1910.
William L. West received his elementary education in the home schools, later attending Indiana University at Bloomington four years, graduating in 1873. He then matriculated in Miami Medical College at Cincinnati. Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1876, and immediately took up the practice of medicine at Owensville, Indiana. He practiced there but a short time and on January II, 1877, was united in marriage to Lisetta D. Speck, of Owensville. She was the daughter of William A. and Lisetta D. (Weikel) Speck, of Dresden, Prussia. They were both young when they came to America and both located in Owensville. Here their marriage took place. Lisetta died and Mr. Speck married a second time, his bride being Elizabeth Schlosky, of Germany. She died in July of 1911. He went to California. where his death occurred.
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