Biography Index

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 Genealogy Trails of

Jackson County Indiana

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ALBERT NELSON is a native of east Tennessee, and was born October 26, 1809. He was the fifth son of George and Nancy (Pritchett) Nelson, both natives of Virginia. His parents came to this State about the year 1812, and settled in Washing-ton County. His father was one of those pioneers who aided in building many of the Indian forts of that county. Mr. Nelson’s schooling was limited; he managed, however, to gain knowledge of reading, writing and ciphering. December 2, 1830, he married Eliza Garriott, a native of Washington County. To them were born four children, of whom but one, William J., is now living. This son resides in Warren County, Ill. His wife died December 5, 1838, and on December 30, 1838, he again married Eliza A. Densford, a native of Kentucky. To them have been born eight children, of whom six are living, namely: Nancy E., Julia A., Sarah E., James A., Mary E. and Charles W.  In politics, Mr. Nelson is a Democrat; he has been justice of the peace in his town, and with the exception of three years residing in Illinois, he has been a resident of Vernon Township fifty-four years. C. H. ORR, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born January 4, 1844. He was the second son of Alfred and Louisa (Harris) Orr, both natives of Ohio. On coming to Jackson County, his father took charge of the State Ford Mill, which he after-ward purchased and ran till his death (1867). After receiving a common school education Mr. Orr learned the miller's trade from his father. March 17, 1864, he married Leah Hall, a native of Jackson County. From this union have been named the following children: Alfred, Amos and Sylva. He moved to Graceland in 1881; there he owned and operated a saw-mill until the spring of 1885. In May of that year he returned to Jackson County, and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising, having been successful in his business undertakings. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a reliable Democrat. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by  Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 755 - 756

DR. A. L. NEWKIRK, of Seymour, Ind., was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, near the city of Cincinnati, on the 4th day of December, 1826. He is the eldest of seven children, of whom C.S. and Mary E. (Lackey) Newkirk were the parents. The latter were natives of New York and Ireland, the mother having left her native island when but two years old and settled in Pennsylvania. The early life of Dr. Newkirk was spent upon the farm, and at-tending the country schools in the winter time. At the age of nineteen years he began a two years' course in an academy at Montgomery, Ohio. At the close of that time he began teaching school and reading medicine. In the spring of 1850 he located at Newry, in Jackson County, and began the practice of his profession. After six years he moved to Farmington and under Buchanan was postmaster at that place. In 1860 he cast his fortune in with that of Seymour, when the place was yet small. In the meantime he had graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville in 1858. In 1848 he married Mary W. Compton, a descendant of Gen. Compton, of New Jersey. To them were born four children: Hamlin R., Olinda, Thomas J. and Martha, the first and last named being now dead. Mrs. Newkirk's death occurred January 29, 1883. Politically Mr. Newkirk is a Democrat, and has held some political positions. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 706 – 707

FRED NEWKIRK, a prominent citizen of Hamilton Town-ship, was born in Hanover, Germany, the 17th of October, 1828.  His parents were George and Mary Newkirk. A portion of his schooling was acquired in his native land, where all are compelled to attend between the ages of six and fourteen years. When about ten years of age he immigrated to America, then, as now, a home for the oppressed of all nations. Most of his life has been devoted to farming, raising and shipping stock, in which he has been fortunate, and acquired a competence for life. In the early part of 1854 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed various callings. From Cincinnati he went to Dearborn County. He married Elizabeth Severing, who has borne him-twelve children. Of those, seven are now living: Fred, Mary, Emma, Matilda, George, Walter and Sarah. Mr. Newkirk has been a resident of Jackson County for about twenty years, and is most favorably regarded by all who know him. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by  Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 666 – 667

JOHN Q. A. NEWSOM is a native of Bartholomew County, Indiana. He was born September 5, 1835. His parents, Nathan and, Lydia (Ruddick) Newsom, were natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. His education was received in the common schools of his native county and later attending Bloomington University one year. He has devoted the best years of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage, December, 30, 1858, to Margaret E. Newby, of Seymour.  Five children have blessed their home circle: Nathan Lincoln, Joseph N., Lydia May, Maggie (deceased), and Amy M. He has had great influence for good among men of his calling. When the society of P. of H. was first organized none took a greater interest than John Newsom. He had always thought there was a lack of the proper spirit of progress and intellectual and social culture among farmers as a class, and that this society was the most effectual means at hand for this purpose. He was the first chairman of the executive committee of the Indiana State Grange. Politically Mr. Newsom was formerly a Republican, but became a member of the National party at its first inception. He was a candidate for State treasurer on that ticket in 1876 and made a canvass of the State. He ran considerably ahead of his ticket. John Newsom is a courteous, affable gentleman, a good talker, and is always willing to aid in any enterprise which, in his opinion, is for the good of the public. He has been engaged for the last two or three years in perfecting a steam plow, in which he hopes to be ultimately successful. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 707