USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 17
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On October 15, 1895, Mr. Robeson was united in marriage to Miss Louise Munson, whose people were former residents of Mitchell, Indiana. Mr. Robeson belongs to the Presbyterian church of which his family have for many years been prominent representatives. He has attained the thirty-sec- ond degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry and is a member of the Mystic Shrine, while both he and his brother are members of the Elks lodge. As business men they display an initiative spirit and practical methods, which are leading to excellent results. They never consider any position final
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but rather as the starting point for further accomplishment. Theirs is an ideal farming property, extensive in scope but fully equipped with the latest improved machinery and conveniences for carrying on the farm work. In all business transactions they are known for their thorough reliability as well as for their progressive methods and the name of Robeson is an honored one in connection with the agricultural interests of this section of the country.
WILLIAM OWEN ROACH.
William Owen Roach, who carries on general farming in Busseron town- ship, is one of the extensive landowners of this part of the county, his hold- ings aggregating five hundred and sixty acres. This property is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift, for at the outset of his career his capital was very limited. He was born in Washington town- ship, this county, on the 23d of June, 1849. His father, Nathan O. Roach, was also a native of this county, where the family has been represented from early pioneer times. Nathan O. Roach on attaining his majority took up the occupation of farming as a life work and always gave his time and energies to the task of tilling the fields and caring for the crops. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Hudson, was a native of Illinois.
William O. Roach was left an orphan at the age of about eight years. His education was acquired in the district schools but his opportunities in that direction were very meager, for at the time of his parents' death he was thrown upon his own resources and has since earned his living. When still but a boy he began work as a farm hand in the neighborhood and was em- ployed in that way until he felt that he could assume the responsibility of operating a farm by himself. He then rented land which he cultivated until 1888 and in the meantime carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, which was the nucleus of his present extensive possessions. Year by year he worked diligently and persistently in the cultivation of the fields and whenever possible added to his holdings until he is now the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land in Busseron township. Many excellent improvements have been put upon his place, including good build- ings for the shelter of grain and stock and the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. Mr. Roach has also become a stockholder in the Oaktown Bank.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of William O. Roach and Miss Lizzie Cook, a daughter of David Cook, one of the pioneer residents of Knox county. They have four children: Flora, now the wife of Edward Unger ; Minnie, the wife of Fred Townsley ; Annie, the wife of R. Clark ; and Ethel, the wife of Sumner Cox. Mr. Roach and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and are well known in this community, where they
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have an extensive circle of friends. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and has justly won the proud American title of a self- made man. Few boys thrown upon their own resources at the age of eight . years would have made more rapid or creditable progress. He early realized the fact that his diligence and determination must bring to him whatever success he should enjoy and as the years have passed he has labored untir- ingly and persistently to win the success which has crowned his efforts, mak- ing him one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of the county.
JOHN W. EMISON, SR.
In the pioneer history of Knox County, the name of John W. Emison stands prominently forth, and with the substantial development of this sec- tion he was closely connected by reason of his varied and important business interests. For more than a century the name of Emison has been connected with the history of Vincennes and western Indiana. The family name was originally spelled Emerson. The first Emisons of whom we have record were two brothers who settled at Georgetown, Kentucky, in the eighteenth century, and among their descendants are those who are residents of Ken- tucky, Indiana, Missouri and Texas. The family was founded in Knox county, Indiana, by Thomas Emison, the father of John W. Emison, who left his Kentucky home in 1804 and settled on Mariah creek in what is now Knox county. He bore active part in the early development and progress of this region when it was still a part of the Northwest Territory, the family being here represented for a number of years before Indiana's admission into the Union in 1817.
Wiliam W. C. Emison, the eldest son of Thomas Emison, was here reared amid the wild scenes and environment of pioneer life at a period when the Indians were still numerous in the state, when many wild animals roamed over the praires and when much wild game was easily secured. Having ar- rived at years of maturity, William W. C. Emison married Elizabeth Posey, a daughter of Richard Posey, of South Carolina, who came to Indiana in 1800 and cast in his lot with the early settlers who had ventured into the western wilderness to reclaim the district for the purposes of civilization. Richard Posey was a prominent pioneer farmer here and the old Posey homestead, which he secured has been in possession of the Posey and Emison family since 1800 and is one of the interesting historical spots of the county.
John W. Emison, born and reared in Knox county and educated in its public schools, was a son of William W. C. and Elizabeth (Posey) Emison. The experiences that usually fall to the farm boy in a frontier region were his and he early learned the value of industry and unflagging enterprise. He married Sarah Dunning, a daughter of Spear S. and Emily (Bishop) Dun- ning, of Knox county, who likewise became early residents of old Vincennes.
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There were five children in the family of John W. and Sarah Emison, namely : James Wade, now a practicing attorney of Vincennes; John W., postmaster of this city; Hugh A., now assistant postmaster of Vincennes ; Mrs. Mattie Barr and Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, both of Princeton, Indiana. Two members of the Emison family participated in the Civil war, serving in the Fifty-first Indiana Volunteers.
John W. Emison, the father, was one of the pioneers of Knox county in all that stood for its general improvement and the welfare and happiness of its people. He carried on farming on an extensive scale and also engaged in mercantile and milling pursuits at the same time. His business integrity was unassailable and his enterprise carried him into important commercial, industrial and agricultural relations. The Methodist Episcopal church found him an earnest and devoted member and the republican party a stalwart ad- vocate of its principles. He was a scholarly man, liberal in his views and kind hearted in the extreme. At all times he stood ready to divide his means with the needy and distressed and held out a helping hand to every worthy public movement.
JAMES REYNALDS, SR.
In every relation of life James Reynalds, Sr., stood as a high type of American manhood and citizenship. His record as a public officer of Knox county was unsullied, his business integrity was above question and those whom he met in social relations found him the possessor of qualities that aroused their high regard and won their warm friendship.
Mr. Reynalds was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and the mingled strains of Scotch and German blood flowed in his veins. His parents were William and Mary (Jones) Reynalds, the former a native of the Keystone state and the latter of Maryland. The youthful days of James Reynalds were passed in Somerset county, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools. He was twenty-six years of age when he left Pennsylvania and went to Louisville, Kentucky, whence he went a year later to Evansville, Indiana.
In 1855 he arrived in Vincennes and not long afterward accepted the position of the first agent of the Adams Express Company at this place, serv- ing faithfully in that capacity until 1860. In the meantime his ability and his public-spirited citizenship had become recognized by his fellow townsmen who in the year mentioned elected him to the office of sheriff of Knox county. Two years later a reelection gave evidence of his fidelity in office, and when he had thus faithfully guarded the rights and liberties of the people of the county for four years, he retired to a farm and diligently devoted him- self to the cultivation of the fields. He became the owner of two valuable farm properties in Knox county, comprising about four hundred acres of
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land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and which re- turned to him generous harvests. However, he was again called from pri- vate life to public office, being reelected sheriff in 1868. Again in 1870 he was the people's choice for that office and for two terms he also served as deputy, so that his connection with the sheriff's office covered altogether a period of ten years. In 1874 he was made the nominee of the democratic party for the office of county treasurer and remained the faithful custodian of the public funds for two terms. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and his public service may well constitute an example in this day when so much is heard concern- ing graft and misrule in public affairs.
In 1852 Mr. Reynalds was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sterret, a native of Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of three children, Eliza- beth, Josephine and James. Seven years after their marriage Mrs. Reynalds died and in the same year Mr. Reynalds wedded Mary U. Markley, who passed away in 1866. In 1868 Mrs. Jane Bloom, the daughter of L. L. Watson, of Vincennes, became his wife. By a former marriage she had two children and by her marriage with Mr. Reynalds she became the mother of five children : Samuel D .; William H., a resident of Mobile, Tennessee, who is married and has two children, Minnie and Catharine; Jessie, living at home; Edith J., who is the wife of Charles Judah and has three children, Emily, Reynalds and Charles ; and Jennie, at home.
A most honorable and upright life was terminated when, in 1890, Mr. Reynalds was called to the home beyond. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and in politics was a stalwart democrat, giving unfaltering support to the principles of the party and taking an active interest in shaping its policy and promoting its success in this county. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church to which he was ever loyal. The many notable qualities of his life had their root in his Christian belief. In business he possessed excellent executive ability, was systematic and diligent and his labors were rewarded with substantial success, but while he made for himself a splendid name in business, in office and in other relations of public life, his best traits of character were reserved for his own fireside and in his home he was a most loving and generous husband and father.
JOHN L. BAKER.
Success has been defined as fifty per cent enthusiasm and most of the other fifty per cent stick-to-itiveness. Many young men have started in their active career with plenty of enthusiasm, but they lacked patience and the staying qualities that are dominant characteristics of the winners in all pro- tracted contests. John L. Baker, secretary and treasurer of the Murphy Dis- tilling Company, of Vincennes, has given evidence of being endowed with the
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vim and determination that generally indicate the successful contestant. His enthusiasm is contagious and no matter how grave the difficulty he feels that with discrimination and perserverance it ultimately can be surmounted.
Mr. Baker is a native son of Indiana. He was born in Knox county in 1882 and is the son of William Baker, who came from Germany, locating in Vincennes, where he gained an enviable reputation in financial circles and for twenty years has been president of the German National Bank. The father was born in 1834 and has been a resident of Knox county since early in the '50s.
John L. Baker was educated in the public schools of Vincennes and has been actively identified with business interests ever since he laid aside his school books. As secretary and treasurer of the Murphy Distilling Company he has put into practical use many lessons which he learned from his father and from actual contact with business men. He has found that there is no school that so deeply impresses its lessons as the school of life and that every day presents opportunity for new lessons. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a favorite not only among his business associates but in social circles.
DANIEL N. LANE.
Daniel N. Lane, president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Decker, is a native of Knox county and has here passed his entire life, gaining a repu- tation as one of the thoroughly competent and successful men of western Indiana. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, possessing foresight and executive ability which are so necessary in business affairs of the twentieth century, insuring their permanency and growth. He was born in Johnson township, January 25, 1861, and is a son of William P. and Catherine E. (Kimmons) Lane. The parents were also born in that town- ship, the father February 8, 1836, and the mother April 10 of the same year. The couple began their married life in a little log cabin in the midst of the woods. They were ambitious, industrious and economical and Mr. Lane became the owner of three hundred acres of land, which he cleared and im- proved, making his farm one of the highly desirable places of Johnson town- ship. At the time of the Civil war he served under the stars and stripes and his honorable discharge at the close of his enlistment is one of the precious heirlooms of the family. He departed this life at fifty-eight years of age.
Daniel N. Lane was educated in the common schools and after arriving at manhood devoted his attention to farming for ten years. He then became interested in the milling business, with which he was identified for ten years, and devoted three years to the sale of agricultural implements. In the mean- time, however, he had never relinquished his farming interests and he is now the owner of a farm of two hundred and fifteen acres in Knox county which
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pays him a handsome income. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Decker, which began operations on the 18th of August, 1909, and occupies a large modern brick building. It is capitalized at twenty- five thousand dollars and, although it has been in existence only a short time, it is recognized as one of the substantial institutions of the county and is growing rapidly. The officers of the bank are Daniel N. Lane, president ; Frank Plass, vice president; J. M. Bailey, cashier ; and the following gentle- men comprise the board of directors: Daniel N. Lane, Frank Plass, Martin Catt, Michael Catt, John D. Biddle, Herman Jording, J. D. Sisson, John J. Siebel and Harry Davis.
On the 29th of October, 1889, at Washington, Indiana, Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Stella Smead, a daughter of Franklin and Sarah Smead, the former a native of Cincinnati and the latter of New Jersey. Her grandfather, Franklin Smead, was one of the pioneer bankers of Cincinnati, and the Widows Home in that city was built by him. Her parents are now making their home in California, where Mrs. Lane is now visiting them. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Ethel, now nineteen years of age ; Ralph, fifteen ; Roy, thirteen ; and Gladys, seven.
Mr. Lane is an upholder of the republican party and an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, to which he is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent principles of these orders. From youth upward he has been a worker and the success which he has attained is attributable to his own efforts. By the concentration of his energies he early developed a strength of will which is so important in the battle with the world and which, when wisely directed, leads to the attainment of every laudable ambition. No man stands higher in the confidence of the people of Decker and vicinity than Daniel N. Lane and this enviable position he has earned by years of con- scientious application and unswerving fidelity to every trust.
JOHN BENJAMIN FRAUMANN.
Among the descendants of German ancestry, in Knox county, who should be named in a work relating to the best citizens of the county, is John Benjamin Fraumann, a respected and successful farmer of Johnson township. He was born at Richmond, Indiana, July 15, 1856, and is a son of Charles D. and Elizabeth (Harting) Fraumann, both of whom were born in Germany, the former in 1817 and the latter in 1826. The father came to America when a young man and followed the trade of stone mason, later becoming identified with farming interests in which he was quite suc- cessful, as he acquired a place of one hundred and nine acres. He served
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in the German army before leaving his native land and there gained ideas of liberty which he lived to see exemplified under the flag of the American republic. He was a patriotic and honored citizen and lived to see many of his dreams realized, departing this life October 2, 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. The beloved mother was called away April 8, 1882. There were five children in the family: Mary, John, Edward, Annie and John Benjamin.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Indiana and under his father became familiar with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising. He applied himself with such diligence that at the present time he is the owner of a beautiful farm of one hundred and sev- enty-five acres in Johnson township, the most of which he cleared. He im- proved the family residence, erected barns and other buildings and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. He is a general farmer, raising wheat and corn on quite an extensive scale and also devoting a great deal of attention to Durham cattle and other stock of excellent grades. He easily ranks as one of the most progressive farmers of the community.
On the 28th day of February, 1878, Mr. Fraumann was united in mar- riage at Vincennes, Indiana, to Miss Rachel Ellermann, a daughter of Con- rad and Rachel Ellerman, both of whom were born in Germany, the father in 1796 and the mother in 1795. The head of the household departed this life August 25, 1878, his beloved wife having been called away November 29, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Fraumann are the parents of four children : Clara, who married Henry Broderhosen and is the mother of three children -Irene, Otto and Henry ; Benjamin C .; Edward; and Mary.
Mr. Fraumann is an earnest believer in the authority of the Bible and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and although he has devoted his attention mainly to his private affairs, his neighbors elected him township assessor and he served with a fidelity that gave complete satisfaction to the taxpayers of the township. He is conscientious and capable in everything he under- takes and has many friends who have been attracted by his manly qualities.
H. B. FOX, Ph. D.
H. B. Fox, a leading citizen of Bicknell and proprietor of a thoroughly equipped drug store, was born in Bicknell, November 19, 1879. He is a son of William H. and Rebecca (Hooper) Fox, the former of whom is now liv- ing in Washington township, Knox county. There were seven children in their family: Willard, a dry-goods merchant of Bicknell; Dora, the wife of David Wampler, a farmer near Bicknell; Stephen, a farmer also near Bick- nell; Susie T., of Indianapolis ; Franklin P., a farmer living near Bicknell ; H. B., our subject ; and an infant deceased.
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H. B. Fox received his preliminary education in the public schools of Bicknell, later attending the Vincennes University for one year. After re- turning home he taught school for five years and then entered Purdue Uni- versity, taking the pharmaceutical course, and was graduated with the de- gree of Ph. D. in 1905. The next two years he spent as clerk in a drug store and in 1907, having become thoroughly prepared for the business in all of its details, he opened up a store of his own in Bicknell, where he carries a complete drug stock and also a fine line of paints, oils and school supplies. In addition to his mercantile business he deals in real estate and in his vari- ous operations has shown a capacity that has produced handsome returns upon his investments.
In 1904 Mr. Fox was happily united in marriage to Miss Nellie May An- tibus, a resident of Bruceville, and one child, William H., has blessed the union. Mr. Fox is a member of the National Druggists Association of America. Politically he is identified with the democratic party and fratern- ally he is connected with the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order at Bicknell, serving as senior deacon in the latter. His wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Fox also holds membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, being clerk in the Bicknell lodge of the last named organization. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist church and are valued members of a com- munity where he was born and where he has spent all the years of his life except when securing his education.
WILLIAM F. CUNNINGHAM.
William F. Cunningham, deceased, was a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer families of Knox county. His birth occurred No- vember 11, 1844, in one of the old log cabins so common in early days, his parents being William and Jane (Bryan) Cunningham. When a young man the father removed westward to the Mississippi valley from Athens, Geor- gia, and settled upon the prairie, securing a tract of land, which, however, was cultivated and improved by his son William. There were Indians in this section of the state at the time but gradually they were driven out be- fore the advancing white race, and the other evidences of frontier life were replaced by the indications of a modern civilization. The prairies which in an early day were covered with tall grasses and many wild flowers were con- verted into cultivable fields and brought forth good crops of grain. Instead of the wild fowls of the forest the domesticated fowls of the farmyard were seen and in all lines the work of progress and improvement was car- ried on, converting the once wild region into a productive district.
William F. Cunningham, who was the eldest child of the family, pursued his education in the early schools and by reading and observation added
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largely to his knowledge, becoming in time a man of broad mind and liberal thought. All of the members of his father's family are now deceased. He became one of the inheritors of the father's farm and after a time bought out the interest of the other heirs, becoming sole proprietor of a valuable tract of land comprising three hundred acres situated about five miles north of the city of Vincennes in Allison township. To his farm work he gave personal supervision, so that he knew just what was being accomplished and that the fields were being cultivated to the utmost.
On the Ist of December, 1870, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Hessie Sherwood, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Thomerson) Sherwood. Three children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cunning- ham: William R., who married Clotilda Kackley and is now engaged in clerking in a clothing store in Terre Haute, Indiana; Julia M., the wife of Frank E. Lindsay, a railroad man living in Indianapolis; and Kathryn C., who was educated in St. Rose Academy and in the University of Vincennes and is now living at home with her mother at No. 223 South Eighth street.
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