Brown County IN Archives Biographies.....David, Samson 1852 - 
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Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

SAMSON DAVID.

    Conspicuous among the successful self-made men of Brown county and an
honored representative of one of its oldest and most highly esteemed families is
Samson David, of Nashville, formerly an enterprising agriculturist and worthy
public official, but now identified with different business interests, in all of
which he has achieved wide influence and marked prestige. Mr. David is the son
of Edward David, by the latter's second wife, whose maiden name was Patsy Sipes,
being the youngest of twelve children resulting from this union. By a previous
marriage the elder David had twelve children also, and after the death of his
second companion he was twice married, the third union being without issue; the
fourth wife presenting his with five offspring, which made him the father of
twenty-nine children, perhaps the largest family in the state of which he was a
resident.

   Edward David was a native of Hardin county, Kentucky, but some time in the
'thirties came to Brown county, Indiana, and entered public land which he
cleared and converted into a good farm, the patent for the same being now in
possession of his son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. David was a pioneer
in-the true sense of the term, energetic, industrious and courageous, and,
possessing the indomitable spirit characteristic of the early settlers, he
seldom failed to carry to successful completion any undertaking to which he
addressed himself. Small of stature and never weighing in excess of one hundred
and thirty pounds, he was nevertheless quite strong and vigorous, remarkably
lithe and active, qualities which enabled him successfully to encounter and
overcome the many vicissitudes and hardships of backwoods life, and to redeem
from the forests a comfortable home and a liberal support for the large family
dependent upon his labors. Nearly all of his children grew to maturity and
became the heads of families and it was a fact worthy of note that all did well
in their respective vocations and not one of the number was ever known to commit
an unworthy act or bring disrepute upon the high character for which the family
has always been distinguished. The Davids have long been noted for good health
and longevity, few if any of the name dying before reaching manhood or
womanhood's estate, the father of the subject being ninety-six years old at the
time of his death. Integrity and high moral worth also appear to be
characteristic of the family and wherever known the name stands for what is best
in manhood and womanhood and for what constitutes true American citizenship.

   Samson David was born in Brown county, Indiana, June 14, 1852, and spent the
years of his childhood and youth on the home farm, attending meanwhile such
schools as the county afforded. Circumscribed by an environment not at all
conducive to intellectual discipline, his early education was by no means
complete, being principally confined to a knowledge of the three fundamental
branches, reading, writing and arithmetic, but as he grew older he took
advantage of every opportunity to improve his mind, so that in due time he
became quite well informed on a wide range of subjects. The habit of reading and
keeping in touch with current events, especially the great public and political
questions of the times, he has ever maintained and it is not too much to claim
for him distinctive precedence in the matters of thought and opinion among his
fellow men.

   Mr. David helped to cultivate the farm until his twenty-second year, at which
time he left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. Reared to
agricultural pursuits, he naturally chose the same for his vocation and, taking
charge of fifty acres of the old homestead, to which were added eighty acres
brought him by his wife, he at once addressed himself to tilling the soil under
most encouraging prospects of success. During the fifteen years following he
devoted his attention closely to his labors, made a number of substantial
improvements on his place and in addition to increasing its fertility and
productiveness, greatly enhanced its value. Meanwhile he became interested in
politics and, being a leading and influential Democrat, his services to his
party were such as to win recognition and make him one of its standard bearers
in Brown county. His presence in the various county, district and state
conventions had not a little to do in formulating party policies, planning
campaigns and conducting the same, and his earnest efforts did much to
strengthen the local ticket and insure its success in a number of elections. By
reason of this activity he was frequently mentioned as an available candidate
for office, but not being a place seeker, he refused to put himself forward and
it was not until the year 1891 that he permitted his friends to place his name
before the convention as an aspirant for the sheriffalty. When the balloting
began he easily led his competitors and receiving the nomination by a large
majority, he entered the race against a popular opponent, made a vigorous
canvass and wad elected by an overwhelming vote.

   Mr. David's official record during his first term was eminently satisfactory,
in consequence of which he was chosen his own successor at the ensuing election,
and discharged the responsible and exacting duties of the office with credit to
himself and to the satisfaction of the public until the expiration of the period
for which he was elected. On taking charge of the office he transferred the
management of his farm to other hands, and, purchasing a fine residence property
in Nashville, moved to the town and has since made it his home. About the year
1895 he suffered a severe loss in the destruction by fire of his beautiful
dwelling, but he at once rebuilt it and now has a much more commodious house
than the one he formerly occupied.

   At one time Mr. David was in the agricultural implement and machinery
business, which he carried on for about three years in connection with farming
and in April, 1900, he turned his attention to the livery business, purchasing
the large establishment in Nashville formerly operated by George Barnhill. He
still manages this barn and has a lucrative patronage, in fact doing the
business of the town in his line, his relations with his local customers and
with the traveling public being of the most pleasant and agreeable character. He
still gives personal attention to his agricultural interests and in addition to
his home place owns a fine fruit farm near Nashville in which he takes great
pride. His varieties of fruit have been selected with much care, and his
orchards are among the best in this part of the state, containing the finest of
apple, pear, peach, cherry and other trees, all prolific and in thrifty
condition. He finds pleasure as well as profit in the fascinating pursuit of
horticulture, looks after his fruit with the interest of an enthusiast and
derives from this source no small part of his income.

   In the year 1876 Mr. David entered the marriage relation with Miss Lucinda
Williamson, daughter of James and Mary E. Williamson, of Brown county, the union
resulting in the birth of eight children, whose names are as follows: Carrie,
Rettie, Mary E., Ida, Grover, William, Cecil and Verne, all living and the four
oldest being married.

   Mr. David is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Nashville Lodge
No. 235. He has been successful in his business and as a self-made man and the
architect of his own fortunes, occupies a position in the community and a place
in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens which required years of
struggle to achieve and which is certainly complimentary to the intelligence,
integrity and sterling worth characteristic of the man. Measured by the correct
standard of excellence, his life has not only been successful as the world
estimates success, but in those higher and nobler qualities of head and heart
which bespeak the true gentleman, he has not been lacking, having always been
animated by well defined purposes and lofty sentiments of honor, while his good
name has never been tarnished nor the rectitude of his intentions questioned.
Broad minded and progressive, energetic in the prosecuting of his own affairs,
ever lending the helpful hand to those in need, liberal in his views of men and
things, careful and considerate of the feelings of others, he has stamped his
strong personality upon the community and impressed all with whom he has come in
contact as a strong manly man, who has little need to apologize for his life and
conduct. 


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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