Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Newby, William F. 1858 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 21, 2006, 8:19 pm Author: Jackson Morrow WILLIAM F. NEWBY. Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life, and there are good reasons for the entertainment of such belief. The modest man very rarely gets what is due him. The selfish, aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight and it sometimes seems that modesty is a sin with self-denial the penalty. There are, however, exceptions to all rules and it is a matter greatly to be regretted that the exceptions to the conditions referred to are not more numerous. One notable exception is the case of the honorable gentleman whose life history we here present, who possesses just a sufficient amount of modesty to be a gentleman at all times and yet sufficient persistency to win in the business world and at the same time not appear over bold, and as a result of these well and happily blended qualities Mr. Newby has won a host of friends in Monroe township, Howard county, Indiana, where he is well known to all classes as a man of influence, integrity and business ability. William F. Newby was born in the localty [sic] referred to in the preceding paragraph. May 24, 1858, and he has preferred to remain on his native hills rather than seek uncertain advantages in other states as many of his early companions have done. He is the son of Edmond J. Newby, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, November 11, 1825, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Cosand) Newby. both natives of North Carolina, who came to Washington county, this state, in an early day, being among the pioneers who settled there. They secured wild land which they cleared and on which they made a comfortable home, having always been fanners. They both died there, rearing three sons and five daughters, the only one now living being Edmond J., father of the subject. Edmond J. Newby grew up in Washington county and in 1847 came to Howard county, locating in Monroe township, on section 8. He first procured one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, which he cleared and by dint of hard work transformed it into a good farm. He married Eliza E. Trueblood, of Washington county, Indiana. She was a daughter of William Penn and Anna Trueblood, both natives of North Carolina, having come to Washington county, this state, in the pioneer days, where they secured wild land and started life in a small way, but they made a good home and both died there. Edmond J. Newby by habits of industry and economy added to his land from time to time until he had a large tract. He was a Republican in politics and at one time ably served his township as trustee. He was an active member of the Friends church and is still living in the township. His wife passed to her rest in 1895. Edmond J. Newby is well known and highly esteemed for his many fine traits of character. He has always devoted his life to farming and during the latter part has been a breeder of shorthorn cattle; also raises fine horses and hogs. Three children constituted his family, namely: Mary, who resides at New London, this state, the wife of Jesse D. Davis, of Washington county, who is a merchant and also operates a threshing machine, also taught school for fifteen years; William F., our subject, was the second child in order of birth; Linden J. is a farmer and stock raiser on the old home place in Monroe township. He married Laura Carey and they are the parents of two children, Mabel and Russell. William F. Newby, our subject, attended the schools in his native community where he applied himself diligently and received a good education, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He married in 1882 Merab Shirley, the accomplished daughter of Dr. J. D. Shirley, who is now deceased, and whose wife, a Miss Seward, was a native of Ohio, while his native state was Kentucky. Mrs. Shirley is still living in 1908 at New London, this county. Six children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: Frank C, a fanner in Monroe township, who married Cecelia Hanson; Eva, Harry, Shirley, deceased; Glen and Kenneth. In 1879 the subject located on the place where he now resides, in section 13, Monroe township, and he has made many of the extensive improvements of the place, bringing it up to a high state of efficiency and productiveness, carrying on general farming and stock raising in a most successful manner. He is also interested in land in South Dakota. Mr. Newby is one of the directors and stock holders of the Howard County Fair Association and one of the leaders to get it located at Russiaville. Owing to his indomitable energy and the interest he has taken in the fair, its success has been assured from the first. He is also interested in an attempt to get an electric railway through the county. Although an active Republican all his mature years, Mr. Newby has never aspired to office. However, his assistance may always be relied upon in placing the best local men possible in the county offices for he believed in clean politics as well as wholesome social and home life. He is regarded as a good business man, an excellent manager, having sound judgment and foresight and he has been very successful in his business career. He keeps well abreast of the times, being well read on current topics. He has Avon the respect and esteem of all who know him for his friendly manner, business ability and upright living and he is regarded by all as one of the substantial citizens of Monroe township. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA BY JACKSON MORROW, B. A. ILLUSTRATED VOL. II B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (circa 1909) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/newby370nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb