William Carl Usery, Esq.

    Conspicuous among the representative men of Cass Township is William C. User, Esq., of Sullivan, a man of ability, integrity and worth. Well educated and talented, he has been for many years associated with the advancement of the educational interests of our country, and has likewise been an important factor in promoting the agricultural and industrial interests of town and county, at the present time devoting his attention largely to fruit culture. A native of this township, he was born January 1, 1846, in the log cabin built by his father, the Hon. David Usery, on the site of the present village of Cass, coming from pioneer stock. His father was born in 1818, in White County, Tennessee.

    Rev. Philip Usery, the grandfather of William C., came from Tennessee to Indiana at an early day, he, with his family, making the entire journey on horseback. He became one of the original settlers of Greene County, and the pioneer in the spreading of the gospel news, being a preacher in the Christian Church. An earnest and tireless worker in the Master's vineyard, he preached in many places, making his circuit on horseback, following bridle-paths and frequently going over heavy and almost impassable trails, his mode of traveling being in strange contrast with those pursued by the clergymen of today. Removing from Greene County to Sullivan County, he bought land in the northwest quarter of Section one, Cass Township, and there resided until his death,  at the age of seventy-two years. The maiden name of his good wife, was Mary Warren. she was born in Massachusetts, belonging to the same family as General Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. She died at the age of eighty years, and was buried beside her husband in the Antioch Churchyard in Cass Township.

    A boy when he came with his parents to Indiana, David Usery grew to manhood in Greene County. Subsequently entering government land in Sullivan County, he obtained title to a tract which included the site of the village of Buel, now called Cass, and the cabin of round logs, which he at once erected was the first building on the village site and the birthplace of his son William. He afterwards built a hewed log house, and after a time erected a good frame house. He cleared a large tract of land, and after a time embarked in mercantile pursuits, opening the firs store in the township and keeping a stock of general merchandise. He bought his supplies in Evansville, and they were brought here by teams, that being before the time of railroads. He also dealt extensively in live stock and superintended the care of his farm. Disposing of all his interests in this locality in 1873, he moved to Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he bought land and was actively employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, March 4, 1884. He married Susan Pigg, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of James and Mary (Neeley) Pigg, who was born in Tennessee, and pioneers of Sullivan County, Indiana. She died about two years before he did, her death occurring in February, 1882. She reared eight children, namely: Joseph Warren, James, Philip, William Carl, Nancy, Frances, Mary and Anna. David Usery was a man of commanding presence, six feet and one inch in height and weighing when at his best, three hundred and sixty pounds. He was an influential member of the Democratic party, prominent in public affairs, and was twice elected to the State Legislature.

    Brought up amid pioneer scenes, William Carl Usery remembers well the homespun garment which his mother made for the family from the material which she herself carded, spun and wove, and also remembers the excitement caused among the neighbors when his father, while in the legislature, sent home a cook stove, the fist one ever brought into the place, the people from miles around coming to see it. He attended the pioneer schools of his day, going first to a subscription school kept in a small log cabin, which was heated by a fire in the fireplace, while light was admitted through a strip of greased paper inserted in place of a log. The seats were made of split logs, the floor was of puncheon, and the scholars learned to write upon a slab placed against the wall, using a quill pen. The schoolmaster was always early at his desk, and the pupil that got there first was the first to recite his lesson. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Usery began teaching, receiving at first one dollar and fifty cents a day wages. He was successful in his work, and taught in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, continuing thus employed for twenty-six terms, in the meantime being engaged to a considerable extent in both mercantile and agricultural pursuits. His father had given him eighty acres of land lying north of and adjoining the village of Buel. Subsequently selling that land Mr. Usery spent two years in Kansas, after which he returned to Indian, and taught in Greene and Sullivan Counties. Going again to Kansas in 1879, he was engaged in teaching and farming in Cherokee County, afterward being similarly employed in Vernon County, Missouri. Returning to Sullivan County in 1889, Mr. Usery traded for the farm upon which his mother was reared, and this property he still owns. Removing from it in 1903, he assumed possession of the property which he had previously purchased in the business part of Sullivan. He has also a farm lying half a mile from the village center and a fifteen acre tract of valuable land, two acres of which is within the corporated limits of the village. Here he has lived since 1903, and has devoted the greater part of his time to the culture of fruit. H has, however, traveled some, and with his wife spent the winter of 1907-08 in California.

    Mr. Usery married, November 12, 1868, Mary J. Wilson, who was born in Haddon Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, October 17, 1844. Her father, Martin Wilson, was born in Coshocton County Ohio and came to Indiana with his father, Judge Joseph Wilson, a pioneer of Haddon Township and one of the early judges of Sullivan County. Martin Wilson improved a farm in Haddon Township, it being the estate now owned and occupied by his son, George T. Wilson, and there resided until his death in his eightieth year. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary P. Lamb, was born in Kentucky, and died in Indiana at the early age of thirty-three years. Five of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wilson grew to years of maturity, as follows:

    Mr. and Mrs. Usery are the parents of four children, namely:

    Prominent in public affairs, Mr. Usery was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1904, and elected to that office in 1907. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Usery are members of the Christian Church, and have reared their children to the same faith.

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 332, 333, 334.