Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Newsom, Nathan H. 1860 - 
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Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

NATHAN H. NEWSOM.

   Nathan H. Newsom has always been actively connected with farming interests
and has spent his entire life in Bartholomew county, which is the place of his
nativity. He was born in Sand Creek township, December 17, 1860, and is a son of
Jesse R. and Mary (Cox) Newsom. He was named in honor of his paternal
grandfather, Nathan Newsom, who was but eleven years old when he came to Sand
Creek township, a fact which indicates that the family was established here in
pioneer times. The great-grandfather of Nathan was Willis Newsom, who was a
native of North Carolina and was one of the five Newsoms who emigrated westward
in 1821, taking up their abode in Bartholomew county, Indiana. He, however,
arrived in this state in 1818 and located in Orange county. He drove all the way
to the west in a cart drawn by a single horse, being accompanied by the members
of his family, including his eleven-year-old son, Nathan, who was born June 23,
1807. When the last named had arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Lydia
Ruddick, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, June 16, 1816, and also became one
of the pioneer residents of Indiana. After his marriage he took his bride to the
old homestead and there remained until his life's labors were ended at an
advanced age. He was a man of high moral worth, straightforward and honorable,
never shirking a responsibility or failing to meet an obligation. He was known
far and wide as an honest citizen and his life was in harmony with his
professions as a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He was a firm
believer in Christ and his teachings and for thirty years was an active worker
in the church. In his political views he was an unfaltering Republican, and did
all in his power to promote the welfare and progress of his community along
political, moral and intellectual lines. Jesse Newsom was born in Sand Creek
township, and was reared to farm life. He early learned the value of industry
and integrity as factors in the business world and always lived an enterprising
and honorable life. He had, too, great interest in educational matters and was
desirous of advancing along intellectual lines. He was one of the early students
of the State University of Indiana, was a thorough student and became one of the
successful teachers of the county in early life. Later he settled down to the
work of the farm and thereafter devoted his undivided attention to the
development and further cultivation of his farm. He was long recognized as the
leading agriculturist of his community, his methods being practical and
resultant factors in his success. Well fitted for leadership, he left the
impress of his individuality upon public opinion and he was twice nominated by
the Republican party for representative to congress from the fourth district,
but because of the large Democratic majority in this locality he failed of
election.

He knew that he could not be elected, but he put forth every effort in his
powers to advance the principles of his party, believing that thereon rested the
welfare of the government. As an orator he was forceful, earnest and convincing
and he delivered many public addresses and was listened to with interest and
close attention. He was never prompted in his public work by any unworthy
motive; on the contrary his course was always honorable and would bear close
investigation. He died March 16, 1899, having for many years survived his wife,
who had passed away on the 15th of June, 1877.

   Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, of whom seven are yet
living: Albert G., who was educated at Greencastle and Bloomington, Indiana, and
is now a farmer in Columbus township; Emma J. is the wife of Jesse H. Hadley and
resides in Columbus; Nathan H.; Charles S., who is married and is a farmer and
miner in Colorado; Lydia, who is a graduate of the State University, of the
class of 1903; Vida graduated in the same class, and Jesse, who lives on the old
home farm, four miles south of Columbus.

   Nathan H. Newsom spent his boyhood days upon the old home farm, where he
remained until he had attained his majority. After attending the common school
of the neighborhood he became a student in the high school of Columbus, Indiana.
The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and is today one
of the progressive, enterprising farmers of the county, following methods which
lead to practical and desirable results and which have made him a prosperous
resident of his community.

   On the 30th of August, 1893, Mr. Newsom was united in marriage to Miss Emma
J. Roland, daughter of Marshall M. and Melissa (Lambert) Roland. She was born in
this county and was educated in the public schools. Four children have been born
of this union: Mary, Ruth, Harold B. and -Paul. Mrs. Newsom belongs to the
Christian church at Columbus. In his political views Mr. Newsom is a stanch
Republican and a recognized leader in the party in his township and county. He
is a quiet, unassuming man, a good neighbor, a reliable citizen and one who is
held in the highest esteem by all who know him.


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


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