FARMER, Thomas Benton - Putnam

The name of Thomas Benton FARMER should not be omitted from any historical work of Putnam County, Indiana owing to the fact that Mr. Farmer who is now living in honorable retirement in Greencastle, surrounded by the many substantial evidences of thrift of his former years of industry, has long been one of the leading citizens of the county, always ready to assist in any way possible the upbuilding of the vicinity honored by his citizenship. He was born in Greencastle Aug 12, 1836 and unlike many of his contemporaries who sought uncertain fortune in other fields, he desired to remain at home, believing that better business chances were to be found right at his own door and, judging from the eminent success that has attended his efforts and the good he has done the city, he was wise in reaching this conclusion. He is one of the few connecting links between the pioneer days and the present in Putnam County and it is indeed interesting to hear him tell of the development of this favored region since his boyhood days. He is the son of James H. and Emily Parks Farmer the latter born in NC from which state she was brought by her parents, Benjamin and Olive Parks to Monroe CO iN then being 8 years of age. She married in that county and her paernts came on to Putnam, locating near PUtnamville where they spent the reamining years of their lives,t he father dying in 1849 and mother in 1850, when about 60 years old, his widow surviving him 30 years, reaching the advanced age of 92. Benjamin Parks was a Primitive Baptist minister and continued to preach until his death. he preached ergularly for many years at Deer Creek and other places and was a power for good in those early days. James H. Farmer was born near Shelbyville, Shelby Co In his father having died when he was 10. When 22 he was married to Emily Parks being about the same age. He worked for one year after this event in Monroe Co at the plasterer's trade then came to Greencastle where he continued his trade, being very highly skilled and consequently he usually had plenty of work. He worked on the old college and on many of the other early buildings in the county, including the present Missionary Baptist Church. About 1840 or 1841 he moved to a farm near Mount Meridian on Deer Creek, Marion Twp, six miles SE of Greencastle, moving into the woods, only a small portion of the place having been cleared. He farmed and continued tow ork at his trade whenever practical. He also had a lime kiln on his farm and there he burned the lime that went into the construction of the old court house and he hauled lime to Indianapolis to market for 10 to 12 years, spending the rest of his life on the farm. He placed a fine farm of 4 or 500 acres under cultivation, the old house erected ther ein the 40s still standing after being used 65 years an dis still serviceable. Frank Farmer, son of Thomas B. now operates the place, 270 acrs of it, Thomas Farmer still owning part. James H. Farmer died Nov 11, 1876 at age 71 his widow surviving him until Jan 27, 1887. With the assistance of two grandsons, she had operated the farm after her husband's death and an evidence of her good management is seen by her earning the sum of $7000 - in fact, she really made the farm what it was, one of the best in thetownship. By the side of her husband she sleeps in the Deer Creek Cem near the little church they loved to attend. Their children are as follows: Benjamin followed the plasterer's trade in Putnam County dying when past 70; Mary Ann married Alexander McCarthy, MD who moved to Iowa, later Orgeon where he died; Matilda married John Nosler an attorney who became a judge after moving to Oregon where Mrs. Nosler was killed by a team backing over an embankment; Louise married Joseph Ruark of marion Twp, where they both died; Thomas Benton of this review; Nancy is the widow of James Raines living at Cloverdale; Cynthia married Dr. Thomas Bryan and they both died while living in MO; Samue l died 1897, age 57, having been a farmer in Putnam Co which he served as county commissioner while living in Jeffersn Township; James married a Miss Ruark, moved to Iowa, then Ark and his death occurred in Oklahoma age 55; Ellen married Andrew J. Ruark, brother of Joseph Rurark, both retired farmers living in Greencastle. Thomas Benton Farmer was reared on the old homestead, which he began working then quite young, attending district schools a short time during winter months. He learned the plasterer's trade which he worked in company with Samuel Farmer. He was married Spet 17, 1857 to Catherine Sherrill, who was reared by her grandfather, THomas McCarty in Warren Township her mother having died when she was an infant. Mr. Farmer went to Ringgold Co Iowa in 1859 where he remainef a period of 4 years until 1863 improving a new prairie farm. Returning to PUtnam County he purchased 100 acres east of and adjoining that of his father's. He has proved to be an excellent manager and a modern agriculturist, consequently has prospered and is now the owner of a 600 acres of valuable land as the county affords, all in a body with the exception of 180 acres in Jeff Twp, two miles from his other land. It is practically all under excellent improvement and a high state of cultivation. About 100 acres of his father's old place are included in his holdings; at one time he owned about all the old place but sold a part to his son, Frank. Much of Mr. Farmer's attention has been directed to the successful handling of livestock of which he seems to be ane xceptionally good judge, having long kept his place well stocked with cattle, hogs and horses, also mules, having shipped horses and mules to market in large numbers, acquiring a large part o his ample competency in this manner. He continued to operate his farm, giving it almost his exclusive attention until about 1892 when he moved to Greencastle and has since lived practically retired, spending some of his time looking after his small place near the city. He has an attracti ve and comfortable home in the best residence district of the city. mrs. Farmer was called to her reward 1875. Four children were born to this union: Alice married Henry Runyan, living at Mt. Meridian, Putnam County; Albert was a commerical salesman for a hardware house in Terre Haute and died at age 32 leaving a widow and one child, Zella at Greencaslt;e Frank owns the old Farmer homestead and lives in Greencastle Township; Samuel Edward is married and is operating his father's farm in Marion Twp. Thomas B. Farmer's second marriage in 1877 to Alice Hazelett, daughter of Richard and MElvina Bunten Hazlett and she is next to the youngest member of the fmaily, having been born in Marion Twp, this county. This family came to their present commodious 13-roomed house in 1868. FOur children were also born to this second union: Addie married Dr. Hutcheson of Greencaslte; Claude is a railroad employee in Indianpaoli;s Mary married Nathaniel Hammond who who is living on his father's farm; Jennie is being educated at DePauw. Politically Mr. Farmer is a Democrat, and while he has always been deeply concerned, regarding the welfare of Putnam County politically and every other way, he has not been an aspirant to public office. He is wellk nown and highly respected throughout this part of the state, for his life has been an exemplary one.