Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Newsom, Joel 1832 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 12:38 am

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

p. 192-193

JOEL NEWSOM.

   The Newsom family were originally natives of Ireland, whence representatives
of the name removed to England and afterward the family was established in
American soil, the first ancestors in this country locating in North Carolina.
There they remained until 1815, when five brothers of the name came to Indiana,
settling first in Orange county. These were Willis, Daniel, David, Joel and John
Newsom and their descendants are now numerous in this state and have been active
and prominent factors in promoting the material welfare and permanent
improvement of the commonwealth.

   David Newsom, the father of the subject, was already married when he came to
the west. He had wedded Elizabeth Woodward, who was also a native of North
Carolina and was probably of English descent. On coming to Bartholomew county,
about 1820, he entered land in Sand Creek township and later bought an
additional tract. He became an extensive land owner and as his children reached
years of maturity he gave to each of his boys one hundred acres of land. He was
one of the wealthiest men in the county in his day and deserved great credit for
what he accomplished, because his possessions were obtained entirely through his
capable management, his unfaltering perseverance and his unremitting diligence.
He was respected by all with whom he came in contact and his genuine worth made
him a leading and influential citizen of Bartholomew county. In his family were
nine children: Micajah, Isaac, Luke, Robert, Joel, Pennina, Lydia, Absillett and
Mary.

   Of this family Joel, whose name introduces this record, is the only one now
living. He was born on the old family homestead April 24, 1832, and was reared
to manhood in Sand Creek township amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. He
assisted in the duties of the home farm through his youth, remaining with his
father until he had attained his majority. He acquired his education in the
common schools of the locality and for one term engaged in teaching. As a
companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Abigail Peel. She was
also born and reared in Sand Creek township, and her people came from North
Carolina to Indiana. Two children were born of this union: Oscar L. and Isaac
E., both of whom are married, Oscar operating the old homestead and Isaac a
partner with his father in a store at Azalia. The wife and mother died and
subsequently Mr. Newsom was again married, his second union being with Margaret
Hall, who was born in and spent her girlhood days in Sand Creek township. She
obtained a collegiate education, being a student in Earlham College. By her
marriage she has become the mother of two children: John C., who is a graduate
of Earlham College, and Adella May. Both are married and the son lives in New
Albany. The daughter is the wife of William Donner, of Pittsburg. The parents
are birthright members of the Society of Friends and for many years Mr. Newsom
has served as treasurer in his church. He exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the Republican party, is one of its active
workers and has frequently been a delegate to the county and state conventions,
where his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party. He became
connected with the postoffice at Azalia on the 9th of March, 1859, as deputy
under Postmaster T. C. Parker, and in July, 1862, he was appointed postmaster,
in which position he has continuously served, being perhaps the oldest
postmaster in the state.

His long continuance in the office is certainly an indication of his marked
fidelity to duty, and no higher testimonial of his faithfulness could be given.
Mr. Newsom is a man who in every relation of life is found true to the trust
reposed in him and to the obligations devolving upon him. He has never sought
public notoriety, but has been content to do his duty in the position of life in
which he has been placed. His career shows the force of industry in the active
affairs of life and the power of honesty in winning success and in gaining
public confidence. His name is a synonym for integrity and all who know Joel
Newsom respect him for his genuine worth.

   In 1903, as the guest of his son-in-law, W. H. Donner, he visited England,
Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France, spending two months in seeing the most
interesting places of Europe.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/newsom680gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/

File size: 5.1 Kb