Lynch - William B.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p431
WILLIAM B. LYNCH, a representative citizen and successful member merchant of Darlington, Montgomery County, Ind., is an enterprising and energetic man. He has only been a resident of the state for about twelve years, but during almost the entire time since he came, a stranger among its people, he has closely identified himself with all the growing interests and public improvements in his section of the country. Mr. Lynch is a native of Tennessee, and was born near Cumberland Gap, January 7, 1861, and is therefore in the very early prime of manhood. Progressive in his ideas, earnest in purpose, and strong in character, he cannot fail to be an important factor in the up-building and general management of local affairs.
The great-grandfather of Mr. Lynch was a native of Ireland, and was there trained in habits of self-reliance, which so well adapted him to try his fortunes in a new country. Arriving at manhood, he determined to leave behind him friends and relatives and make himself a home in the land across the sea. The voyage from Ireland to America was not then what it is to-day, a quick, easy passage, made with dispatch and little discomfort to a good traveler, but on the contrary, it was long, wearisome and full of peril. Tales of almost fabulous prosperity in the new world were wafted across the ocean to old Ireland, but it was also known that the venturesome emigrants had to face the terrors of both sea and wilderness, and thus many of the timid and improvident feared to make the journey.
It was not so with the ancestor of William B. Lynch. Full of courage, ardent and ambitions, he came to America, and made for himself and his descendants a home and future in the land free from religious and political intolerance. His son, Alfred Lynch, grandfather of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, but he afterward settled in Tennessee, and there raised a family, among whom was his son Wesley W. This son was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Peebley, also a native of Tennessee. The husband and wife became the parents of a large family, of which the subject of this sketch was one.
William B. Lynch came to Hendricks County, Ind., in the fall of 1880, and engaged in farming. He followed the pursuit of agriculture about two years, and then decided to try the lumber business and located his yard in North Salem. After mature consideration he concluded to remove his home and business to Darlington, where he has been most successful. In January, 1892, Mr. Lynch extended his lumber interests and received into partnership Mr. Adney and Mr. Shannon, the firm name now being Adney, Shannon & Lynch. In connection with the lumber business, in which they have been prospered almost beyond expectation, the firm are running a saw and planing-mill.
William B. Lynch was married in North Salem, in 1884, to Miss Sallie E. Miller, a charming lady, well known in social and church circles. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have been blessed by the birth of two children, one of whom, little Frank, was taken from earth in early infancy. The young daughter, Mamie, a promising child, brightens the home. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and are ever ready with their time and money to assist in benevolent work, or aid in social and religious enterprises. Mr. Lynch as yet has developed no wish to become a politician, but he nevertheless takes an active interest in all national politics, and is also desirous of seeing local offices well filled. He is an ardent Republican, and supports his party by word and deed.