Clay Township (part 2 of 2)

P. THOMPSON, dealer in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise, was born in North Carolina, December 1, 1850, and is the eldest of the eight children of Thomas and Margaret J. (Tate) Thompson, natives of North Carolina, and of English extraction. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and received some rudimentary instruction from the common schools. His parents having moved to this county, they purchased a farm, which they afterward sold and removed to Hendricks County, there, too, purchasing land. After farming, our subject, in 1881, engaged in mercantile business, in which he has continued with much success. March 17, 1881, he married Julia Kellum, a member of the Society of Friends. Mr. Thompson is an efficient and diligent business man, a good citizen, and a truly self-made man.

WILLIAM O. THOMPSON, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Orange County, N. C, November 17, 1825, and is the twelfth of the fifteen children of Abel and Martha (Hadley) Thompson, natives of North Carolina. William O. was reared on a farm, and attended the subscription schools of the time, wherefrom he received a fair education. Shortly after his majority, he emigrated to Indiana, and located in this township, where he has continued to reside. He devoted his time to farming, and manages a good farm of 400 acres, well improved, stocked and appointed - a valuable property and home; he has also considerable stock in the Bank of Mooresville, all made by his own application and direction. April 29, 1852, he married Mary Ann,' daughter of Isaac and Rosanna Marshall, to which marriage were allotted six children - Abel, Anson H., Atlas M., Martha R., Lydia J., and Sarah E. Mr. Thompson is Republican in politics, and an esteemed and worthy citizen. He and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Antioch.

JOHN WEESNER was born in Orange County, N. C, May 14, 1835, and was brought by his father, Josiah Weesner, to this State in 1838; he is of German extraction, paternally, and a descendant of Michael Weesner, who settled in North Carolina about the middle of the eighteenth century. He was reared a farmer and also learned to be a carpenter. He acquired a fair education at the school in Hopewell, at the Allen Schoolhouse, West Union, and at No. 6, now called the Gasburg School, supplemented with one term at the Friends' Manual Labor

School, and subsequently taught a public school. November 15, 1866, he married Jane Allen, daughter of Charles Allen, and shortly afterward purchased a few acres off the northeast corner of his father's farm, erected a carpenter shop, and engaged at his trade - lumber dealing being now a part of his business. In 1864, he was commissioned Postmaster at the new office of Gasburg, a position he has held eves since.

JEREMIAH L. WELMAN is a native of Oldham County, Ky. ; was born June 10, 1831, and is a son of Andrew N. and Elizabeth (^Williams) Wehnan, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. His father having died, his mother and family moved to this county in 1845, where he has since lived, and where his mother died August 1, 1883, in her eighty-fifth year. Our subject was reared as a farmer, and followed the same until he was thirty-five years of age. March 20, 1856, he married Elzina Lewallen, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Welman began the carpentering business in 1863, and devoted himself thereto for about ten years; and then, coming to Monrovia, engaged in the furniture and undertaking line, which he has continued without competition. He owns a comfortable residence and good business property. August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, served about eleven months, and was discharged from physical disability, having contracted typhoid fever in the service. Mr. Welman is Tiler of Monrovia Lodge, 261, A., F. & A. M.

DAVID WILSON is a native of North Carolina, and was born December 10, 1835. His father resides in Monrovia, Morgan County, where our subject grew to manhood. April 19, 1861, David enlisted for three months, and afterward joined the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, and served three years. He participated at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and with Gen. Banks in the Gulf campaign. The regiment re-enlisted as veterans in 1864, served under Gen. Sheridan, and was afterward assigned to duty at Fort Henry. The regiment was also on duty in Georgia when Jeff Davis was captured. He was slightly wounded at Cedar Creek, and left the service with the rank of Captain in August, 1865. Augu.st 8, 1867, he married Miss Samantha, daughter of Gideon Johnson, one of the founders of Monrovia. Two children were born to them, one of whom is living - Otis G. Mr. Wilson has given attention to the study of law, and was admitted to practice in 1870; he now, however, gives all his attention to his farm. He has served three terms as School Trustee, and, in 1880, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Representative in the Legislature, being elected by 310 votes. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Fees and Salaries. Mr. Wilson is a highly respected citizen.

JOHN A. WILSON is a native of Randolph County, N. C. , was born December 2, 1830, and when eighteen years of age, came to Indiana with his pEirents, who located in Wayne County, and afterward in this township, where his father died in 1883 in his seventy eighth year, his mother being yet alive and in her eighty-fourth year; is a member of the M. P. Church. John A. grew to manhood on a farm, and also attended the public schools and acquired a fair education. August, 1861, he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, served three years,. and participated in the glorious record of said regiment. Mr. Wilson has been twice married, first to Rebecca Pearson November 15, 1866, who bore one child now living - Lena E.; the mother died March 13, 1872, a consistent Christian. December 28, 1876, Mr. Wilson married

Mary A. Allen, who also bore one child, now deceased. Mr. Wilson has been located in Monrovia for the past six years, having charge of the post office; he also deals in stationery, school books, clocks, watches, etc. In 1882, he added a stock of groceries, and is doing a good business. In politics, he is a Republican; he is a Freemason, and a Trustee of the MethodisteEpiscopal Church, of which his wife is, too, a member.