Adkins - Talbott A
T. A. ADKINS
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana - (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 400
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T. A. ADKINS, merchant, New Ross, was born in Decatur county, Indiana, March 7, 1835. He is the son of Martin and Nancy (DRAKE) Adkins, the latter born in Kentucky, and the former in Tennessee. Martin Adkins was one of the most successful farmers and stock dealers in Indiana. He owned at his death some 1,200 or 1,400 acres of land and one of the finest farms and mansions between Indianapolis and the Ohio river. He was a prominent democrat, and was circuit judge of Decatur county for one term. His wife is still living at Colfax, Indiana. T. A. Adkins is a child of his father's second family, his parents having been twice married. He spent his youth on the farm till sixteen years old, when he was sent to school at Wilmington Academy, Dearborn county, Indiana, for two years, then to Archville graded school, and then spent two years in the scientific course at Franklin College. Leaving college, he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business at Eminence, Morgan county, Indiana, where he remained three years. He was then in the livery business one year in Aurora. Since then he has done business at Franklin, Dover, Shannondale, etc., and in March, 1875, came to New Ross, Montgomery county, where he associated himself with his brother, B. F. Adkins, in general merchandising. Their store was built by B. F. Adkins, and is two stories high, 20 X 80. Here the firm of Adkins & Brother carry a stock of about $6,000, with sales of about $9,000 to $12,000. Their store-room is the largest in New Ross. In the Adkins family T. A. is the first republican, and all the children younger than he follow in his footsteps. He is secretary of the New Ross Union Agricultural Association, and a prominent man. He is a member of the Order of Freemasons and Odd-Fellows. Both he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. He was married September 25, 1856, to Mary L. TAYLOR, daughter of George W. and Nancy J. ( MILBORN ) Taylor, of Aurora, Indiana. She was born in 1831, near Aurora. They have five children: Walker B., Benella R., Harriet L., Pearlie, and Guy.