USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 90
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"As pastor of the church in which he was for many years a ruling elder, and which he loved, and which he knew I loved, I was closely asso- ciated with him for almost three years. I saw him in times of perplexity and sorrow as well as in seasons of comfort and satisfaction and joy, and my estimation of him enlarged and my love for him deepened as the months went on.
"What he was as a personal friend thousands can testify. His kind- ness was so unvarying and so wide in its reach that people went to him as a matter of course, sure of sympathy and aid. His wisdom in business affairs was so conservative, in the sense of that word, so sound that men learned to trust him as a brother, and young men went to him as they would go to a helpful father.
"And now another name, and, I must say in all calmness, one of the truest and greatest in the whole city directory, is added to the number who have gone up to join the company triumphant. He is among those who, hav- ing finished their course and kept their faith, are assembled with the apostles and prophets and martyrs and saints in the City of God. What a glorious host! I mourn with his beloved family, with you, with my own family; but I also rejoice with you all because we have another representative among that noble multitude who see God face to face.
"I do not know of any better recommendation of the church of Christ in Princeton than Doctor Welborn. His estimate of the value of Christianity was shown :
( I) By his devotion to the church. He was not a man to devote him- self lightly or blindly to anything, but he did devote himself to his church. He was always in his place on the Sabbath day. He loved the services of the sanctuary and allowed them to exercise their due influence upon his life.
(2) He carefully brought up his family in the same way. He led them to the House of God. They didn't wander hither and thither as their miniature fancy might choose. He saw the supreme value of personal re-
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ligion to each of them, and what the power of the church is in human lives, and he rejoiced at seeing his four boys fellow members with him in the fold.
(3) His gifts, then, became the natural expression of religion in his heart. He gave largely and liberally to his own church, but his interest went beyond his own. I suppose there were few churches in the whole county that did not share his bounty. But his gifts were not limited there. He appre- ciated the great work of giving the Gospel to the destitute parts of our land and to the people whose lot is cast under foreign skies, and he gladly con- tributed to their salvation.
"Doctor Welborn was a frequent representative of his church in the presbytery, where his counsel was highly appreciated, and he was sent more than once to both the state synod and national general assembly, as a fitting man to take part in church affairs that were of world-wide importance.
"I am thankful that I knew him. I rejoice in sharing with you the honor which his life reflects upon our common humanity."
From the Sabbath school of the Presbyterian church was presented a memorial from which the following words are quoted :
"When we contemplate the career of him whose name is on our lips today, we are constrained to say that 'Life is worth living.' and worth living it like steadfast men with Christian faith and trust.
"He was not only a successful man in handling the various temporal affairs with which he was connected all along his life, but gave many years to the most zealous service of the Lord. He was faithful beyond measure to every service of the sanctuary, and seldom indeed was he ever missed from his accustomed place on the Lord's day, from Sabbath school, from prayer meeting. from meetings of the official boards of this, the First Presbyterian church, he loved so well. Loving his church with all the strength of well- grounded principles, he was nevertheless liberal and charitable to the con- scientious convictions of those who differed from him.
"As a man he was kind, courteous and warm-hearted; faithful in the discharge of all his duties; earnest and consistent in his devotion to princi- ples ; and, always helpful to others, he lived a quiet, useful and godly life.
"He was indeed a man 'diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' In him we have a noble example of man, citizen, soldier. mer- chant, public servant, Christian; and of him we may on this occasion speak rather in the language of a psalm of life than in words befitting a tribute to the dead."
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The following was presented as a tribute from the session, of which Doctor Welborn had long been a member :
"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His great wisdom and love, to call from our church to the church triumphant, our esteemed and much loved brother and elder, Dr. William P. Welborn; and,
"Whereas, The session of this church, recognizing well the valuable and lasting service he so nobly rendered this session and this church, by his Christian life and conduct and by his prudence and wisdom in its highest councils; and being deeply sensible of the loss sustained by this session and this church, he served so faithfully and so well; and recognizing that in all positions which he held he worked earnestly for the advancement of the church and the great cause of his Master, with untiring zeal and devotion. Therefore, be it
"Resolved, That this, the session of the First Presbyterian church of the city of Princeton, Indiana, give this expression of its deep appreciation of his life and labor, and of the love and esteem borne him, who has passed from us, and that it extend its sincere Christian sympathy to his family in their sad bereavement, in the death of a true, loving Christian husband and father, and that these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this session and a copy be furnished the family."
On May 5, 1869, William P. Welborn was united in marriage with Mary Jerauld, daughter of the late George N. Jerauld, who for so many years was a prominent merchant of Princeton. To that union were born six children, of whom two daughters died in infancy, while four sons survived their father, namely: Jerauld, Oscar, Maurice and Charles. "
JOHN WHITE.
Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made the subject of this sketch one of the prominent and successful farmers and public officials of Gibson county have also brought him the esteem of
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his fellow citizens, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.
John White, one of the most prominent farmers of Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, was born January 7, 1859, in Evansville, Indiana. His parents were Alfred and Milliscent ( Inwood) White, both of whom were natives of England, and his father is still living and at the present time is residing in California at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred White were the parents of five children, all of whom are living except one daughter.
John White received his early education in the district schools of Van- derburg county, this state, and passed his boyhood days in the city of Evansville, performing all those mutitudinous chores which fall to the lot of the average boy. Here he was given that practical, out-door education which has stood him in such good stead in after life. On August 28, 1881, he was married to Sarah J. Scott, and to this union were born six children, Mrs. Laura P. White, of Princeton: Albert, deceased; Caroline, deceased ; Frank lives in Terre Haute, Indiana; Mrs. Frances Vaughn lives on a farm near Petersburg, Indiana; Milliscent, of Evansville. Mr. White was mar- ried a second time to Pauline George, on October 24, 1909. She was a daughter of John M. and Pauline (Bass) George, her father being a native of France. while her mother was a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. George were the parents of nine children, Mrs. White being the eighth child in order of birth.
Mr. White is engaged in diversified farming and successfully raises all the crops common to this section of the state. He is well read on all the latest and most improved methods of agriculture and does not hesitate to keep himself well supplied with the latest farming implements and machinery. As a result he is justly regarded as one of the most progressive and up-to- date farmers in the township. He has so conducted his affairs that he has been fortunate to lay aside a competence which insures him comfort in his old age. He is a stockholder and director in the Francisco State Bank. Mr. White has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur, of Francisco. Ile and his wife are faithful and earnest members of the Regular Baptist church, and are interested in all the activities which that particular church fosters. Mr. White is a genial, straightforward man, one who has the greatest sympathy for his fellow man, and is always ready to aid and encourage those who are struggling to aid themselves. He is a man of strong convictions and when
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he believes that he is on the right side nothing can swerve him from it. Home life with him is a sacred trust and friendships are inviolable. A man of gentle and unassuming demeanor, he has by his strict integrity won the esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community which has been honored by his citizenship for so many years.
HENRY F. BROADWELL.
Those who faced every danger and death itself upon the battle fields of the Civil War and bore suffering and made sacrifices for their country's sake are especially deserving of mention in these annals. The younger generation should never forget that to them is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid, as the prosperity, liberty and happiness which we now enjoy is the direct outcome of their labors and loyalty. Among the honored veterans who have answered the last roll call, the late Henry F. Broadwell was one who gave three of the best years of his life to the service of his country and then returned to his home and lived a life of usefulness and honor until his death, on September 26, 1908.
Henry F. Broadwell, the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Polson) Broad- well, was born October 1, 1838, in Warrick county, Indiana. His father was a native of North Carolina, while his mother was born in Virginia. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Warrick county and was identified with the agricultural interests of that county all his life.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon the home farm in the usual manner of boys of that period and received the ineager schooling which the country schools afforded at the time. When still quite young he began to assist in the duties on the farm, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until after the crops were harvested in the late autumn. When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was flashed throughout the country he felt that his first duty was to his country, so he donned the blue uniform of the nation and went south in defense of the Union cause. He was a member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was recruited in Gibson county, and served with gallant distinction throughout the war. He saw hard fighting and underwent all of those hardships which fell to the lot of every soldier, thus demonstrating his fidelity to his beloved country.
JOSIAH KIGHTLY.
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Immediately after the close of the war he returned to this county and married Sarah A. Downing, the daughter of James and Sarah E. (Drysdale) Downing. His wife's father was born in Posey county and her mother in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell were the parents of a large family of eight children : Mrs. Belle Mead; Mrs. Mary D. Mandis; D. S. Broadwell; James L., deceased; Rufus A. ; Mrs. Emma C. Witherspoon; Mrs. Elizabeth E. Boyd; and John W. After the death of her husband, in 1908, Mrs. Broadwell went to live with her son, D. S. Broadwell, and they are now residing on the old home place in Center township. Her son is unmarried and she is still able to do a considerable amount of work despite her advanced age. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The late Mr. Broadwell was a life-long Republican and at one time was elected assessor of Center township, an office which he filled to his credit and to the universal satisfaction of the entire township. He always took a very active part in all the deliberations of his party and was frequently consulted by the leaders of his party. His whole life was marked by strict integrity and honest endeavor and he followed a course from which nothing could swerve him as long as he believed he was in the right. This determined loyalty to what he thought was right was one of his strongest and most com- inendable traits of character and enabled him to command the confidence and esteem of all.
FRANCIS J. KIGHTLY.
The life history of him whose name heads this sketch has been for more than three score years closely identified with the history of Gibson county, Indiana. Throughout the years his life has been one of untiring activity and it has been crowned with a degree of success obtained by comparatively few who aspire to leadership in their calling. Years of conscientious work as a farmer have brought him not only a comfortable competence, but the knowledge that he has been of great benefit to the social and moral welfare of his community as well. By a straightforward and honorable course he has been successful to a marked degree and his life affords a splendid example of what an American youth plentifully endowed with good common sense, integrity and determination can accomplish when accompanied by good moral principles. As a citizen he is public spirited and enterprising, and as a friend and neighbor he combines the qualities of head and heart
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that have won confidence and commanded respect throughout the county. His entire accomplishments represent the results of the utilization of the innate talents which are his and the directing of his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination have led the way. As a representative of one of the oldest families of the county, he has a heritage of all those good qualities which go to make up a good citizen.
Francis J. Kightly, the son of Josiah and Elizabeth Kightly, was born August 13, 1849, in Evansville, Indiana. His parents were both natives of England, the father's birth occurring January 1, 1822. His father was twice married. After the death of his first wife, October 29, 1865, he married Sarah Wroe on April 8, 1867. To the first marriage were born the following children : Francis Josiah, the immediate subject of this sketch; William Wroe; Sarah Jane; Mary Elizabeth; Samuel Wroe; Emma K. and John Russell. The second union was blessed with the following children: Lucy, Alice May, John William. Mr. Kightly's second wife died January II, 1898. The sketch of William S. Ennes, elsewhere in this volume, gives ad- ditional facts of the Kightly family.
Francis J. Kightly, the eldest son by the first marriage, was educated in the district schools of Gibson county, and in his younger days worked on the farm and has spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits. As a farmer he has adopted all of the modern improvements in that line of endeavor and has five hundred acres of as well improved land as can be found in the state. At the present time he has several tenants on his farms and has retired from the active duties of farm life.
Mr. Kightly has been twice married. His first wife was Lucinda Ed- wards, of this county, to whom he was married on September 1, 1880. After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage, on April 28, 1903, to Dell Brimer, the daughter of James and Cynthia (Key) Brimer. Mr. Key is a native of Kentucky and his wife of England.
Mr. Kightly has been a life-long Republican, but the fact that his town- ship and county is overwhelmingly Democratic has kept him from being an office holder. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hazelton for more than thirty-five years, and has always taken a prominent part in the deliberations of that order. He has always affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church at Hazelton and has been a liberal con- tributor to the support of that denomination. Mrs. Kightly is a member of the General Baptist church.
Mr. Kightly comes of a splendid family, one of the oldest in the county,
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and has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for edu- cation and morality, for loyalty to the government and for all that con- tributes to the welfare of the community. Sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discrimination, has brought him the success which he so rightly deserves. He has proved an honorable member of the body politic and in every relation of life has never fallen below the true dignity of manhood, nor in any way resorted to methods that invited the censure of his fellow citizens. . As the scion of a most excellent family he has maintained the prestige of all the honored de- seendants of that family.
MARYFIELD M. COLEMAN.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legit- imate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action, when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential farmer and representative citizen of Oakland City, Gibson county, whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Maryfield M. Coleman first saw the light of day on March 8, 1845, in Monroe township, Pike county. Indiana, being a son of Conrad and Nelli Coleman. Conrad Coleman was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1809 and his wife was born in Pike county, Indiana, in 1812. When a boy Conrad Coleman went with his father, Joseph, to Barren county, Kentucky, where they got wild land which they cleared and established their home. Joseph Coleman was a prosperous farmer in his day, and was the owner of cou- siderable land.
When a boy of four years, Conrad Coleman lost his lower left arm, being injured in an old corn mill. He attended school at Glasgow, Ken- tucky, receiving an excellent education for those days. He remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-one years, and in 1830 he came to Indiana, locating in Monroe township, Pike county, where he got wild land. In all, he acquired six hundred and forty acres, and
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had a large portion of it cleared. He raised and dealt extensively in live stock, cattle, horses, sheep, mules and jacks. He seemed to be but slightly handicapped by the loss of his arm and in his prime could use an ax and accomplish as much hard work as one whole in body. He was a man of great energy and ability who took a great interest in the progress of affairs in his county. It was he who made the first assessment of the whole of Pike county and did a great deal of other tedious clerical work in the same cause. At the age of forty-five, his health failed him, probably due to the ceaseless demands upon his strength, and he then retired from active labor for the rest of his life. His death occurred July 19, 1855, and his wife lived until the fall of 1880. He was originally a Whig, but at the dissolution of that party, gave his earnest support to the Republican party. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church and did much to further the cause of that society in his community. To Conrad Coleman and wife were born ten children, namely: Jane, deceased, married John LeMaster and had three children; Mary Emily, deceased, the wife of Jackson Pancake, deceased; Luvina, deceased, the wife of John Mason, who died at Nash- ville, Tennessee, during the Civil War; Joseph V., a retired farmer living in Oakland City, who married Barbara Beatty; Henry, deceased, a farmer in Pike county, who married Elizabeth Parker; Mahala, deceased, who mar- ried John English; Maryfield M., the immediate subject of this sketch; Joshua, deceased, who married Nancy Deter, of Pike county ; Nancy Ellen, the wife of James Gillman, residing in the same county, and Susan, who died when small.
Maryfield M. Coleman received but a small amount of schooling when a lad, and remained with his parents until seventeen, when he started out in life for himself. On April 5, 1866, he was united in marriage with Catherine Nossett, of Columbia township, Gibson county, a daughter of William Nossett, who had come from Ohio originally, and was one of the first settlers in Columbia township. He was a farmer and also a black- smith, and both he and his wife closed their lives at the home they had made when coming to Gibson county. To Mr. Coleman, by his first mar- riage, were born five children, the eldest being Warrick, druggist and trustee, at Winslow, Indiana; Lucy, the wife of George Duncan, of Pike county, Indiana; Edgar, who is a breeder of fine cattle and jacks, at Muren, Indiana. His wife was Carrie Humsucker. The fourth child is Millard, who is in the livery business at Oakland City. His wife was Zillie Reed. The fifth child was Ada, who died when sixteen years of age. Catherine Nos-
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sett Coleman died July 25, 1890, and he was married for the second time, on July 30, 1901, to Catherine Martin, of Pike county. She was the widow of Adam Martin and a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Kime) Loveless. The mother was originally from Tennessee, while the father is a native of Pike county, whose father was one of the first settlers there, coming from South Carolina. Joseph Loveless died March 28. 1873, and his wife's death occurred July 23, 1901.
Maryfield M. Coleman was only twenty years of age when he re- turned from the war and settled in Monroe township, Pike county. HJe se- cured a tract of heavily timbered land which he cleared off and started to make a comfortable home. Here he lived for thirty years and had two hundred and seventy acres of land under cultivation. On July 10, 1895, he left his home and moved to Oakland City, where he has since resided. He clerked for a while and also sold clothing and dry goods for two years.
It was on December 9, 1861, that Mr. Coleman enlisted in Company D, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in Pike county, Indiana. He was sent to Evansville, then to Indianapolis, and then to Camp Short, at Louisville. He was not there long and was sent on to Nashville, Tennessee, where his company engaged in the battle of Shiloh, and was afterwards in pursuit of General Bragg to Louisville, Nashville and Bardstown, Kentucky, and engaged in the battle of Perrysville. They were ordered on to Nashville and were in the important engagements of the war; the battle of Stone's River. Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and Mission- ary Ridge. They were later ordered to Chattanooga, and on May 12, 1864, his regiment started on the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman, and continued with him on his march to the sea. On January 20, 1865, they had reached Savannah, Georgia, on the return trip, and, passing on through the Caro- linas and Virginia, participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C .. in May, 1865. He was then returned to Louisville and received his dis- charge on July 25, 1865. He went to Indianapolis to be paid off, and then returned home, having scen an unusual amount of active service and having gone through the various engagements unscathed. Mr. Coleman is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Oakland City, and his religious con- nection is with the Presbyterian church at that place.
On account of their many agreeable qualities, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have endeared themselves to the people of Oakland City, and as he is a man of upright character, unalterably opposed to all forms of lawlessness, he holds an enviable position in the regard of the community.
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JAMES W. KEY.
The life history of James W. Key, one of the well known and highly esteemed venerable citizens of Gibson county, now living in honorable re- tirement, shows what industry, good habits and stanch citizenship will ac- complish in the battle for success in life. His record has been one replete with duty well and conscientiously performed in every relation of life. He has come down to us from the pioneer period and has noted the wondrous transformation from that time to this, playing his part in the drama of civili- zation. He has thus been an advocate of wholesome living and cleanliness in politics as well and has always stood for the highest and best interests of the community in which so many of his active years have been passed and which has been honored by his citizenship.
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