William Watlington

    William Watlington, farmer, Madison Township, was born in New Jersey, in 1810. His father, William Watlington, was a native of Bermuda, and came to America in 1804, and settled in Philadelphia. In 1814 he came to Indiana, and settled in Madison Township, Jefferson County. He was a sailor in the United States service, and was taken by the English as an English subject, but was released by a friend swearing that he was American born. He died in 1815.

    Our subject's mother was Phoebe Loper, daughter of Evan Loper, of New Jersey; she died in 1867.

    William Watlington was raised on a farm, and received a common school educations.

    In 1839, November 26, he was married to Miss Mary Hewson, of Madison, Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Hewson. her father was a teacher, merchant and preacher.

    The result of this marriage was seven children, all of whom attained maturity: William who enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment during the late war -he was afterward discharged from that regiment, and re-enlisted in Third Indiana Cavalry: Thomas H., Mary F., Emma, Charles E., Abraham L. and Elizabeth.

    From 1833 to 1839, Mr. Watlington was engaged in mercantile business in Madison. At this time he settled on the farm where he now lives, it being the same 80 acre tract entered by his father.

    Mr. Watlington has succeeded in raising his large family, and giving to each one a good education, and is accumulating some little of this world's goods. He lives well and comfortably. His children are now scattered -one in Kansas, one in Illinois, and the rest in Jefferson County; two of them are married.

    Mr. Watlington has been prominent as an Odd fellow, and was the first man initiated into that Order in Madison. He has been a member of the P. of H.; was also a school teacher. He may properly be placed among the pioneers of Jefferson County.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.