Brown County IN Archives Biographies.....Wise, James (Jr.) 1858 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 26, 2007, 10:40 pm

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

JAMES WISE, JR.

   A native of Brown county, and a lifelong resident of the same, the subject of
this review is widely and favorably known, and as a farmer and representative
citizen occupies a conspicuous place among the leading men of his community.
James Wise is descended paternally from Irish ancestry, his antecedents on the
mother's side being English. His grandfather Wise came from Ireland many years
ago and was a soldier in the American army during the war of 1812. He moved to
Indiana in an early day and settled in Decatur county, where he spent the
remainder of his life, dying at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years. His
wife, to whom he had been married over seventy years, also lived to a ripe old
age, departing this life in her ninety-sixth year. Bennet Wise, father of the
subject, was born and reared in Decatur county, Indiana, and when a young man
married Miss Talitha Lane, who bore him eleven children, namely: Williamson,
James W., Catherine. Ralph, Bennet, Minnie R., Elizabeth, John, Neff and Lettie.
A number of years ago Bennet Wise changed his abode to Brown county where he
engaged in farming, and it was here that the majority of his children were born
and reared.

   James Wise, whose name introduces this article, was born April 14, 1855, on
the family homestead in Washington township and spent the years of his childhood
and youth amid the stirring scenes of a farm life, attending as he grew up the
district schools near his home. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he early
decided to make this useful calling his life work, and as soon as practicable
after quitting school he turned his attention to the same and in due time
achieved success for which he planned. Mr. Wise owns a small but well improved
and highly productive farm in Washington township, and in addition to
cultivating the soil he is also interested in the mercantile business, owning
and personally conducting a well-stocked general store at Schooner, which has a
large and lucrative patronage.

In the prosecution of his business affairs, as well as in the management of his
farm, he manifests commendable zeal and industry, being familiar with every
detail of the mercantile trade and equally efficient in the matter of
agricultural science. He is a careful buyer, a courteous and successful salesman
and his relations with the public have always been mutually pleasant and
agreeable, which fact accounts for the magnitude of the business which he now
commands.

   In politics Mr. Wise is a Democrat, and for a number of years he has wielded
a wide influence in his party, being one of its recognized leaders in Brown
county, and a potent factor in promoting its success. He has never been a
place-seeker, notwithstanding which the people of Washington township elected
him to the office of trustee, which position, he held for a period of five years
to the satisfaction of all concerned, proving under all circumstances a
faithful, judicious and eminently honorable public servant.

   The domestic life of Mr. Wise dates from the year 1879, when he was united in
marriage to Miss Mary O. Seitz, who was born January 15, 1859, in Ohio, the
union being blessed with eight children, whose names are as follows: Katie,
Lewis, Minnie, Grover, Thurman, Vernie, James M. and Gaynell, all living and
doing well in their respective spheres of endeavor. The mother of these
children, a woman of excellent character and many sterling qualities, departed
this life March 12, 1902, leaving, besides her immediate family, a large circle
of devoted friends to mourn her loss.

   In concluding this brief review, it is fitting to observe that Mr. Wise is a
creditable representative of that class of strong-minded, energetic men to whom
in great measure is committed the welfare of the state and nation. He has been
untiring in his efforts to develop the resources of his county and find outlets
for its products, while by example and substantial aid he has labored to confer
upon his fellows the benefit of social and moral influence. Decisive judgment,
business ability, executive force and integrity are the qualities that appear
conspicuous in his life, and they have also made him successful in his
undertakings, as is attested by the competence in his possession and the
position of respectability which he holds among the leading citizens of Brown
county.


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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