Hon.  Charles T. Akin

    Charles t. Akin, Vice President of a bank and general merchandise dealer at Carlisle, Indian, was born October 27, 1848, in Carlisle, Indiana, son of Ransom W. and Sarah R. (Sedgwick) Akin. Mr. Akin's father was a native of Indiana, born October 18, 1806, in Clark County, and he died June 18, 1880, at Carlisle. His wife was born in Maryland, September 19, 1817, and died January 3, 1903, at Carlisle. The father came to Sullivan County in 1838, locating at Carlisle, where he ever afterward resided with the exception of ten years which he spent in Bloomington, Indiana, always retaining his business interests at Carlisle, however. He was reared on a farm and began merchandising when eighteen years of age, at New Albany, Indiana. From there he went to Bowling Green, Clay County, where he remained for a short time and then moved back to New Albany, and from there moved to Carlisle in 1838. He was a very successful dealer in general merchandising goods. Being a recognized financier, he was made a member of the banking board, under the old law, also a Director of the state prison. He served capably as a member of the House and Senate of Indiana, and was treasurer of the State University at Bloomington. Politically, hw was a stanch defender of Democratic principles. He was of Scotch and English extraction, his father, Josiah Akin, coming from the east to Kentucky and from there to Clark County, Indiana, and dying in New Albany in 1858. His occupation was farming.

    Ransom W. and Sarah R. (Sedgwick) Akin were the parents of twelve children, born in the following order:

    Charles T. Akin, the tenth child in the family of Ransom and Sarah Akin, received his education at the common schools of his native county and clerked in the store owned by his father, from the age of fifteen years, until he was twenty-four years old, when he was taken in as a partner with his father and brother, Edgar W. Akin, under the firm name of R. W. Akin & Sons, which relation existed until the death of the father in 1880, when the brother Josiah took over his father's interest, the style of the firm being changed to R. W. Akin's Sons. In 1902 the brother Josiah retired and Charles T. absorbed the business, which has grown to be one of the most extensive in Sullivan County. Mr. Akin is rated as being the largest shipper of poultry in Indiana, handling immense quantities of both eggs and poultry. During the summer time he runs four large wagons through the rural districts loaded with supplies for the farmers, selling on the same terms and giving as good a quality of merchandise as though sold direct from his large store. This feature of his business has been carried on for more than ten years. Besides his mercantile interests Mr. Akin operates two large farms within the township in which he resides.

    Mr. Akin is a supporter of the Democratic party and has been chosen to fill several important public positions, beginning with that of Member of the School Board, leading up to Member of the State House of Representatives for the sessions of 1881-1883. In 1891-1893 he was State Senator. He was a member of the special committee which created the first salary bill for the payment of county officers. He was also on the finance committee for the state tax bill, making corporations pay their full share of taxes, and in many other ways aided in furthering needful legislation. fraternally he is connected with both the Masonic and Ben Hur Lodges, at Carlisle.

    Mr. Akin was united in marriage December 19, 1890, to Sophia Benedict, a native of Spencer County, Indiana, born May 5, 1860, daughter of Jacob Benedict and wife. Mr. Benedict is now deceased and his widow resides at Gentryville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Akin have four children:

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 394-395.