Joseph B. Kelso has reached the venerable age of eighty years. He was formerly closely and actively identified with farming and gardening but is now practically living retired and has disposed of much of his property, although he still retains some of his land. His parents were William and Julia (Hogue) Kelso, who have long since passed away. The former was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Joseph B. Kelso pursued his education in one of the old-time schoolhouses of this locality and even in his school days became an active factor in the work of the home farm, aiding in the labors of the fields during the summer months and also in the morning and evening when school was not in session. In early manhood he worked for his father by the month and afterward when the railroad was built through this section of the country he secured employment in connection with its construction. Subsequently, however, he returned to farming and at first rented land, living in a two-room house. In time this prosperity enabled him to purchase property and afterward he bought and sold land as he had opportunity but has now disposed of all of his holdings save the place upon which he resides. He followed farming and gardening, giving his attention to the production of cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also to the raising of vegetables for the market. This work, in addition to his speculation in property, brought him a substantial income. In March 1861, Mr. Kelso was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Hollingsworth, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Palmer) Hollingsworth. Her death occurred in 1888 and two of their five children are now deceased, the youngest having died in infancy, while W. H. Kelso, who was the third of the family, has also passed away. Of those living, Charles Samuel married Lizzie Scott, who died leaving four children, Stella, Martha, Edith and Katie. Emma is the wife of Charles Bridgeman and has one daughter, Martha Jane. Ellis T. is married and has seven children: Emma, Anna L., Fred, Lloyd, Bess, Joseph V. and Charles I. Mr. Kelso has served as a trustee of Vincennes township, but has not sought office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs up to his retirement a few years ago. He has long been a devoted and faithful member of the Presbyterian church and his life, honorable and upright, has gained for him the warm regard, confidence and good will of his fellowmen and made him in the evening of his days one of the most respected as well as one of the most venerable citizens of Vincennes.

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911

Perhaps no life record in this volume stands in stronger refutation to commonly accepted belief that success and an honored name may not be won simultaneously, for throughout his life John W. Emison, Sr., sustained an unassailable character and at the same time won large success through his extensive operations in farming and milling. His holdings of farmlands at the time of his demise exceeded those of any other man in Knox County. He was a lifelong resident of this county and, while carefully conducting his private business affairs; he was always quick to lend his aid and influence to any project or movement for the general good. His birth occurred the 12th of January, 1829, on a farm nine miles northeast of Vincennes, in Knox county, which in the year 1790 became the property of his maternal grandfather, the Rev. Richard Posey, who in that year left the state of South Carolina and removed to Indiana for the purpose of freeing his slaves. Journeying westward to Knox County, he became one of the pioneers of this region and the farm, which he developed, is still in possession of his descendants. It was the birthplace of his daughter, Elizabeth Posey, who on reaching womanhood gave her hand in marriage to William W. C. Emison. For more than a century the name of Emison has been connected with the history of Vincennes and western Indiana. The family name was originally spelled Emerson. The first Emisons of whom we have record were two brothers who settled at Georgetown, Kentucky, in the eighteenth century, and among their descendants are those who are residents of Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Texas. The family was founded in Knox County, Indiana, by Thomas Emison, the grandfather of John W. Emison, who left his Kentucky home in 1804 and settled on Mariah creek in what is now Knox County. He bore active part in the early development and progress of this region when it was still a part of the Northwest Territory, the family being here represented for a number of years before Indiana's admission into the Union in 1816. William W. C. Emison, also a native of Knox County, was born in 1804, a short distance from the Posey homestead. He became a farmer and tanner by trade and for many years resided upon the farm where his wife's birth occurred. It was there they reared their family, including John W. Emison, who in the days of his boyhood and youth devoted his attention largely to the work of the fields and to other tasks incident to farm life, having little opportunity for the acquirement of an education, for the public school system had not been developed then and subscription schools held their sessions only at irregular intervals. He was, however, a self-educated man, remaining throughout life a student of men and events and gaining from his daily experiences the lessons which made him a practical and forceful man of affairs. On attaining his majority John W. Emison turned his attention to farming and milling and followed those pursuits throughout his entire life yet also extended his efforts to stock-raising and merchandising. In the latter connection he handled dry goods, groceries and clothing, lumber and timber. His first milling experience was at Bruceville and later he secured a mill at Wheatland, where he also turned his attention to merchandising, becoming a partner of Hugh Barr in the ownership and conduct of a store. For about twenty years he and Mr. Barr were in partnership and throughout the entire period the most harmonious relations existed between them. In connection with the conduct of the gristmill Mr. Emison had sawmills in operation and dealt in black walnut lumber. He was a man of notably sound business judgment and discrimination and his investments were most judiciously made. As the years passed by he kept adding to his landed possessions until his farm property aggregated nearly four thousand acres. In his later years he devoted much of his time to the study and application of scientific farming and his leadership in this regard constituted an element in the improvement of farm methods practiced in Knox County. In 1857 Mr. Emison was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Amelia Dunning and they be came the parents of eight children: James Wade, now a prominent lawyer of Vincennes; John W., merchant and postmaster of Vincennes; Hugh Ash, who is filling the position of assistant postmaster; Mattie E., the wife of Henry C. Barr, of Princeton, Indiana; Lizzie, the wife of Frank M. Harris of Princeton; William C., Frank D. and Sarah A., all of whom died in infancy. The wife and mother died in 1874 and in 1876 Mr. Emison married Miss Anna M. Shugart, of Knox County, who survived him and who still lives in the city of Vincennes. In the meantime, when the Civil war was in progress, Mr. Emison with patriotic spirit offered his services to the Union but was rejected on account of the condition of his health. Not allowed to go to the front, he bent every effort toward aiding the Union at home by constantly looking after the wives and children and others dependent upon those who were bearing arms at the front. Mr. Emison was at all times a public-spirited citizen and cooperated in many movements and projects for the benefit of his home community and the county at large. He was one of but two men in his township who in 1856 voted for John C. Fremont and he remained a stalwart supporter of the republican party from its organization until his death, which occurred on the 16th of March, 1888. In early manhood he became a member of the Methodist church and was ever an active worker in its behalf and a generous contributor to its support, doing all in his power to further its interests and extend it's up building. He never sought nor desired office, although his fellow citizens would undoubtedly have elected him to any position, which he might have cared to fill in the county, and community in which he lived. Against his will he was chosen president of the fair association and was filling that position at the time of his demise. Mr. Barr, for many years his partner and business associate, said of Mr. Emison In all my dealings with him there never was a bad feeling between us, never one word that was harsh or short, and I was with him for thirty-five years. He was always a sober, moral and agreeable man. To know him was to love him. A truer man never lived. I cannot say enough about him to do him justice. Everything can be said in his favor, and I know nothing against him." A local paper characterized Mr. Emison as one of our purest and most highly respected and influential citizens. He was known and loved by everybody and his sterling worth and stanch integrity were recognized everywhere. Quiet and unostentatious, he won the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was conscientious almost to a fault and strict and straightforward in all of his dealings. In his death Knox County loses a most noble, generous, progressive citizen. Mr. Emison was about fifty-nine years of age when he was called from this life. It seemed that many more years of usefulness might have been spared him, yet in the years allotted him he accomplished much more than does many a man who passes the Psalmist's span of three score and ten. His splendid business success was the result of his own well-directed effort and determination. He started out in life empty handed but possessed laudable ambition and resolute will and by the improvement of the opportunities, which came to him-opportunities that others might have utilized had they so desired-he reached a conspicuous position among -the successful business men of Knox county and at no time was his business honor assailable. Patriotic and loyal in citizenship and faithful in friendships, devoted at all times to the best interests of his family, he stood as a high type of noble Christian manhood.

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911

For nearly thirty-five years a resident of Knox County, Joseph R. Enley has attained a position as one of its respected and responsible citizens. This position he has gained by a life of industry and by the application of common sense and sound management in business affairs that has made him one of the prosperous farmers of his locality. He was born in Pike County, Indiana, October 19, 1853. His father, Joseph R. Enley, was born in England and came to the United States with his parents in his boyhood, the family locating in Pike County, Indiana. He was a miller by trade, but engaged principally in farming and became a highly successful farmer. He was married to Elizabeth Chappel and eight children were born to them, the subject of this review being the youngest of the family. Joseph R. Enley removed with his parents to Daviess County and later went to Warrick County, this state, coming to Knox County in 1876, when he was twenty-three years of age. He was well versed in agriculture and stock raising and, believing that this county offered superior inducements, he purchased forty acres of land in Harrison township, which he farmed for three years, and then acquired one hundred and forty acres on section 16, Steen township, where he lived for twelve years. At the end of this time he purchased one hundred and three acres in donation 85 and still lives on that place. He is now owner of one hundred and eighty-eight acres of land in Knox County and three hundred and twenty acres in Randolph County, Arkansas. He is a man of industrious habits and good judgment and has prospered greatly in his operations. He owns one of the highly improved farms of the township, which is provided with every facility for carrying on an up-to-date farm. In March 1878, Mr. Enley was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adams, and five children were born to them, four of whom are now living: Lnella, now Mrs. Arthur Small and the mother of six children; William F.; Sylvester; and Sarah F. The wife and mother having departed this life in 1888, Mr. Enley in 1889 was married to Samantha Small, of Knox County. One child, who died in infancy, was born to them and Mrs. Enley was called away in 1891. Mr. Enley was a third time married in 1892, the lady of his choice being Miss Vina E. McClure and they are the parents of seven children, Dewey T., Lela, Lucinda, Edith, Irma, Joseph R., Jr., and Miriam. Mr. Enley casts his ballot with the Republican Party and socially is connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which for many years he has been an active worker and an officer, now serving as trustee. His best friends are those with whom he has been most closely related and that is a good recommendation for any man. He has accepted as principles of his life to make his word as good as his bond and to deal justly, let the consequences be what they may. The result proves that his principles are correct and it would be difficult, indeed, to imagine a higher ideal.

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911

E. L. Glass, city comptroller, serving for the second term in that office by reappointment by Mayor McDowell was born in Vincennes, October 28, 1872. His father, John R. Glass, was a native of Bonn, Germany, and in 1833, when he Was three years of age, was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Vincennes. His grandfather, Peter W. A. Glass, was a forester in the employ of the German government before he sought the opportunities of the new world. His trade was that of a tailor and after reaching America he gave his attention to that pursuit, but died of cholera shortly after arriving in the new world. His son, John R. Glass, became a carpenter and contractor and engaged extensively in the building of bridges and railroads. He was also active in politics as a supporter of democratic principles but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He married Isabel Edeline, a native of Knox County, Indiana, whose father William Edeline, was of French Canadian birth. The death of John R. Glass occurred in 1908 when he was seventy-nine years of age. Of their family of twelve children seven are yet living. In the public schools of Vincennes E. L. Glass pursued his education and after putting aside his textbooks became associated with his father in carpentering and contracting. He was connected with the business until 1894, when he entered the post-office as chief clerk, there remaining until 1897. In that year he became bookkeeper for a mercantile firm with which he remained for five years, when he began contracting on his own account, continuing the business until 1906, when he accepted the office of city comptroller. In 1910 he was reappointed by Mayor McDowell, so that he is serving for the second term of four years. In 1898 Mr. Glass was united in marriage to Miss Louise Thuis, a native of Vincennes and a daughter of Henry Thuis. They have become the parents of six children, Mary S., John, Elizabeth, Edwin, Clara and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are well known in this city where they have an extensive and growing circle of warm friends. Mr. Glass's record in public office is a creditable one, commending him to the confidence and warm regard of not only the advocates of democratic principles but also of adherents of the opposition party. Wherever he is known he is held in high esteem and most of all where he is best known.

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911

The records contained in this volume are of inestimable worth when studied with the object of learning the secret that led to that condition expressed by the magic word "success." In the life of every successful man there is the keynote, which can be discerned by the listening ear. That note, as can be discovered in the career of D. F. Culbertson, a promising young attorney of Vincennes and at the present time serving a second term as prosecuting attorney of the county, is in the cultivation of an up right character and the development of constructive powers, inherent in all but brought, into active use only by those who are willing to pay the price. The price in the case of Mr. Culbertson was years of conscientious preparation and the ability to make practical application of correct principles when the happy moment arrived. Mr. Culbertson was born at Edwardsport, Knox County, August 6 1879. At the age of thirty-one he has accomplished more than ordinarily falls to the lot of the young practitioner at the bar, but his advancement has been by no means due to luck or chance. Such words have little meaning to the ambitious and deserving young man. He was fortunate, however, in being born of parents who recognized the advantage of a fair start in a race, which is each year becoming more vehement and calls for all the knowledge and skill that the modern world can bestow. His parents were James Lowry and Anna (Sylvester) Culbertson. The son was given the advantages of a public school education and attendance at De Pauw University. He was graduated from the law department of that university in the class of 1904 with the coveted degree of LL. B. He was then twenty-five years of age, and by mental training and experience was well qualified to make a good showing in anything he should undertake. He began practice at Vincennes in 1905 and has been alone up to the present time. He was successful from the beginning and gained such popularity that in the fall of 1906 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Knox County, being reelected in 1908 to an office in which he has shown abilities of a high order and scored a pronounced success. Although one of the young members of the bar, he is a favorite public speaker and the circle of his acquaintance and influence is constantly widening. He has from the time of reaching voting age been identified with the Democratic Party and an ardent supporter of its principles. All his addresses are characterized by an enthusiasm and energy that in many instances has carried conviction, where before was opposition or doubt. He is alert and able in the discharge of his official responsibilities, and is generally regarded as one of the forces in Knox County that as time passes is to be carefully considered in forecasting the political possibilities. He was made a Mason before removing to Vincennes and is a member of Edwardsport Lodge, No. 428. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Pastime and Country Clubs of Vincennes. In March 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Culbertson and Miss Riba Eleanor Curry of Vincennes. In this as in other important matters, Mr. Culbertson made a wise choice and has as a life companion one of the most charming ladies of the city. The ability which Mr. Culbertson has displayed in discharging thus far the duties and responsibilities of an active life, lead to the opinion that there is nothing to fear on account of larger duties and responsibilities in the years to come. Bringing to his profession a handsome appearance, graceful manners, a mind well stored with a knowledge of the principles and practice of law, and what is of equal importance a fixed determination to win, tempered by a laudable ambition to win by fair means taking these qualities into consideration, it is practically a foregone conclusion that he will gain and hold the confidence and respect of people over a wide region and attain what every aspiring mind should desire-an honorable and enduring place in the estimation of all to whom his name is known.

Submitted by: Lora
History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911