MRS. VIRGINIA M. DUNN



Surnames in this biography are: Dunn, Allen, Brewer, Sanders


Among the highly esteemed women of Knox County is Mrs. Virginia M. Dunn, a native of this county and a descendant of southern ancestry, her father, John W. Allen, having been a native of Abbeville County, South Carolina. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Brewer, was a native of Berkeley County, West Virginia, born September 29, 1811. Mr. Allen was born January 8, 1804, and received his education in the public schools of his native state. Desiring to possess wider opportunities than were presented in South Carolina, he emigrated to Indiana at an early day and here he was married September 23, 1831. He became one of the successful farmers of Knox County, a man of unimpeachable character and one who inspired the highest respect in those with whom he was associated. Three children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Allen; Charles W., deceased; Virginia, of this review; and Francis. Mrs. Dunn grew up under the favoring influences of a kindly home and received a good education in the neighboring schools. On the 24th of December 1863, she was happily united in marriage to Samuel L. Dunn, who was a son of Joseph Dunn, a native of Ireland. The father came to America in his boyhood and located in Knox County, Indiana, but later removed to Daviess County, where he continued upon a farm until his death. Samuel L. Dunn received a common-school education and early became acquainted with agriculture and stock raising, to which he devoted his energies until his death, which occurred in 1875. He was a man of sound judgment, industrious and thorough in everything he undertook and the possessor of a generous and friendly nature, which gained for him many friends. Socially he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for many years up to the time of his death he was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served as trustee and Sunday school superintendent, devoting to these duties the same interest that he displayed in his private affairs. He accumulated a handsome competence, the estate going to his wife at the time of his death. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn: Mary Frances, who became the wife of William Sanders and is the mother of three children; Ula, deceased; Richard C., who is married and is the father of six children; Emma, now living at home; Violet, the wife of William J. Commer; and Katy, deceased. Mrs. Dunn occupies the family homestead, which is endeared to her by many fond associations, and in the evening of life, brightened by many acts of kindness and unselfishness, she enjoys the confidence not only of her relatives but of all with whom she comes into contact. She is the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Steen Township and of three houses and lots in Wheatland and is a liberal contributor to all worthy charities and to all causes that have for their purpose the advancement of the community.


History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene
Volume l & 2 1911



FREDERICK MYERS


Surnames in this biography are: Myers, McCracken, Case, Traylor, Reel, Summitt, Beckes, Epps


The life span of Frederick Myers covered eighty-seven years. It began November 11, 1822, and was brought to a termination in August 1909. By the fit utilization of his innate talents and powers during that period he steadily worked his way upward and in his later years lived retired, enjoying a substantial income derived from a farm of two hundred and fifty acres. His parents were Jacob and Margaret (McCracken) Myers, and the former was of German descent and the latter of Irish. Frederick Myers attended the schools of Knox County but was largely a self-educated man. He became well informed through private reading, studying and investigation and throughout his life had the keenest appreciation of the value of broad general knowledge. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy and those traits in later years were strongly marked characteristics in his life. His economy and careful management in his manhood enabled him at length to purchase land and devoting his attention to farming, he prospered in his undertakings and added to his holdings until he became the owner of a very excellent and valuable farm of two hundred and fifty acres situated on the lower Petersburg road about eight miles from Vincennes. Besides this he had given his five children fifty acres each. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil and cultivated his crops and his labors were rewarded in the late autumn by abundant harvests. He also added to his farm many modern improvements in the way of good buildings and in time he became the possessor of a valuable competence, which enabled him to live retired. Mr. Myers was married twice, his first wife being Miss Matilda Reel, by whom he had five children, namely: John R., Mary, Margaret, Alfred and William. On the 3oth of March 1882, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah (Case) Traylor, the widow of Sanford Traylor, who was born May 19, 1828, and died May 1, 1879. By her first marriage she had seven children, four of whom are living. Martha is the wife of Louis Summitt and has two children: Andrew, who is married and has one child, Glendola; and Ruby. John is the next of the family. Ella is the widow of Homer Beckes, at one time a prominent lawyer of Vincennes, by whom she had one child, Ralph, now attending school. Minnie F. first married Linden Tasswell, by whom she had two sons, Hall and John F., deceased. She is now the wife of Robert Epps, of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Myers gave his political allegiance to the Democratic Party and upon that ticket was elected to the office of county commissioner for three terms. His reelection is an indication of his loyalty to duty and his promptness in discharging the tasks that devolved upon him in that connection. He manifested at all times a spirit of progressive citizenship and took an active interest in everything that pertained to the welfare and up building of the county in material, intellectual, social and moral lines. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and for over fifty years was one of its elders. Of such a record he had every reason to be proud. It indicated, as nothing else could do not only his standing in the church but in the community. His life measured up to the highest standards of Christian manhood and citizenship and constituted an example that may well serve as an inspiration to others.


Submitted by: Lora

History of Old Vincennes And Knox County, Indiana Greene Volume l & 2 1911


R. M. ROBINSON


Surnames in this biography are: Robinson, Stevenson, Donahue


In business circles of Vincennes the name of R. M. Robinson is well and favorably known. A native of Knox county, where he has lived for more than forty-five years, his career has been noted with pride by early friends and acquaintances and his advancement in public and private life has been a matter of general congratulation. His success has been the direct result of his own exertions-of faith in himself, which he inherits from brave parents, and the application of sound principles of life and action that are bound to accomplish gratifying results regardless of the business or occupation, the conditions, high or low, in which they are applied. The avenues to all of the worthy ambitions of life are opened and there is no prophesying where the adventure will end.

Mr. Robinson first saw the light of day in Steen Township, on a farm near Wheatland. Like most of the wide-awake and enterprising men of the county, he was reard to agricultural pursuits and never contracted habits of idleness or dissipation too often prevalent among the younger generation in the populous communities. His natal day was July 6, 1864. He is the son of Richard Robinson, a native of Ohio, whose parents removed to western Indiana when Richard was a child and settled on a fertile spot in Steen Township. Richard Robinson grew up with the country and was educated mainly at home, as the schools of those days in the rural districts of Indiana were few and teachers scarce. He died amid the scenes with which his life had been familiar and was buried in Wheatland cemetery. The mother of our subject was Frances (Stevenson) Robinson, who was born in Ireland and came with her parents to Indiana, the family also locating in Steen township. It was an old-fashioned family that gathered around the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and of ten children born to them, nine are now living in Knox county and one only has sought fortune elsewhere. R. M. Robinson was educated in. the "big university"-the university that has produced many of the noblest names of modern times-the common schools. Here children of both sexes and all classes meet and out of this "melting pot" have come many of the men and women who have proven of untold benefit to the race. For some years, until his father's death, Mr. Robinson farmed on the home place with his father and later with a brother. He became known as a good agriculturist whose crops compared favorably with those of any other in the region and for five years he served as trustee of the Steen Township. He removed to Vincennes in May 1901, and became associated with G. W. Donaldson, a sketch of whom appears else where in this volume, purchasing the McJimsey Buggy Company. The name of the company was changed to the Robinson & Donaldson Buggy Company, doing a large business as wholesale and retail dealers in automobiles, carriages, buggies, farm wagons, harness, pianos and sewing machines. A large share of the credit for the success of the firm is due to the energy and ability of Mr. Robinson. However, in 1904 he was called away from the active management of the company by being chosen by the voters of this county as county treasurer. To this office he was reelected, serving for four years in a position whose capable discharge calls for good business experience and knowledge of finance not possessed by the ordinary man. At the expiration of his second term as a county official he resumed his business duties. He also owns a. beautiful farm of more than four hundred acres, including the old homestead, which he hopes to hand down as a valuable heritage of the family. He has not lost his interest in politics and is now chairman of the county democratic committee and a man whose advice is sought by many who are personally identified with political affairs. He is an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In February 1892, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Donahue, also a native of Knox County, who was born in Vincennes of Irish parentage. She has proven a constant support and comfort to her husband, who is a busy man but one who fully appreciates the advantages and blessings of a peaceful home. Six children have been born of this union: Richard G., Anna C., Frances A., Margaret E., Katherine D. and Charles Donahue. It is doubtful whether there is to be found in Knox county a more worthy name in business and financial circles than that which stands at the head of this sketch. From a lad whose fortune from the start, owing to a large number of brothers and sisters, depended mainly upon his own exertions, he has become one of the respected citizens of one of the most prosperous and progressive counties of a great state. Surely this is success.

History of Old Vincennes And Knox County,Indiana Greene
Volume l & 2 1911