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Archiver > INPARKE > 2006-08 > 1155814057


From: "karen zach" <>
Subject: Re: [INPARKE] NEWTON BIOGRAPHY -- Jim, please add :)
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 07:27:37 -0400
References: <MB07RLVbNDN4CxpAOAk0000ad7e@MB07.myfamilysouth.com>


Portrait & Biographical Record of Parke, Fountain and Montgomery County, p.
712. Benjamin W. NEWTON. Among the leading farmers stock raiser and fruit
growers of Florida Township, Parke County, the subject of this sketch holds
a prominent position, he having aided largely in the development of its
agricultural interest. Whatever he has undertaken has been done thoroughly
and well, and his present possessions are both extensive and valuable. His
farm comprises 1700 acres of splendid farming land, which he rents out in
tracts and he is himself located on 100 acres of his possessions on Sec 17.
Benjamin Newton was born near South Hampton VA Oct 30, 1826 to William and
Eliza Barnes Newton. The father was born in the same county as was his wife
and they were the parents of 3 sons and six daughters of whom two of the
latter are yet living: Linne wife of John Conner and Harriet wife of John
Falls. The sons are still surviving and are Richard N; Howard T who is a
resident of Fair City MO and our subject. Our subject at the age o f7 came
to Indiana from South Hampton with his parents, the trip consuming 3 months.
The father died when Benjamin was but 17 and he was obliged to support the
family, thus having no opportunity to obtain an education. His father was a
poor man, never able to own more than one horse at a time and after his
death Benjamin was the sole support of his mother, brothers and sisters. He
was of a studious turn of mind and greatly desired an education, so he used
to peel hickory bark to burn that he might see to study and by pursuing his
studies at night and working hard by day, he was after a time enabled to
invest in a little real estate for which he paid by trading a mare and two
colts. This farm comprised 40 acres of bluff land on the Raccoon Creek,
which he cultivated as best he could. Oct 10, 1850 Mr. Newton of this
sketch was married to Miss Melinda Lewis, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret
Shoemaker Lewis. Mrs. Newton was the 5th in order of birth in a family of
12, of whom 7 are living: Sanford; Mrs. M. Walker; Emily; Margaret; Phoebe;
David and Cyrus. One daughter lives in Ks and Cyrus and David reside in
Ill. The parents of Mrs. Newton came to Parke County from Ohio in a covered
wagon in which they lived until they could clear sufficient ground on which
to build a house. Her father died in 1880 and his wife passed in the same
year. To Mr. and Mrs. Newton were born 9 children, all living except Robert
M. who died Dec 2, 1882 of heart disease. THe others are: Emily J, who
married Benjamin J. Ogden a native of Parke County but now attending school
at Chicago; George W who was married to Ellen Bound in Dec 1876; John R the
husband of Rachel A. Bound; Robert B; Isaac T; Margaret; Edmond A and
Charles V. Mr. Newton is a supporter of the Prohibitions Party and was
formerly a Democrat. He is affiliated with the Methodist Church and was
Stewart for several years at Mt. Pleasant and is one of the Board of
Agriculture at Bridgeton. The family is endowed with musical talent and 4
of its members are now organized into what is known as the Newton Quartet.
The son, Edmond is employed as a teacher at Rosedale. Charles V taught for
two winters but has retired from that vocation and Margaret is studying the
higher branches and has taught for 9 years in Parke County. He of whom we
write as before stated is dealing extensively in stock raising, keeping on
hand a fine breed of SHorthorn cattle, besides two imported jacks which he
keeps for breeding purposes. Mr. Newton has developed a fine character that
wins for him from all who know him the most cordial admiration and regard.

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