Randolph County, Indiana
Benjamin F. Green
In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship, Benjamin F. Green, farmer of Randolph county, is one of our conspicuous examples and none stands higher than he in the confidence of the community. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully done and by industry, and wisely-directed efforts he is receiving his just share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation, like the rest of the Green family, that has never been clouded by the commission of a single unworthy act as far as his neighbors and those who have been closely associated with him have discovered. He is known to be a man of good judgment and pronounced views and while keeping himself informed upon current events and taking a lively interest in all public affairs of his township and county, he has never expressed so much as the faintest desire to exchange the quiet and contented life of the farm for the distractions and cares which usually come to the man who fills official positions and aspires to some exalted station among his fellow men. He is to be commended in this attitude, for such as he constitute our best citizens.
Mr. Green was born July 29, 1863, on a farm about three miles south- west of Winchester, in White River township. He is a son of William S. and Christina (Bowers) Green. Grandfather Jesse Green came with his family overland in wagons from North Carolina as early as 1818, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in the woods of Randolph county, Indiana, having for neighbors Indians and many kindreds of the wild. He located not far from where our subject now lives, there erected a log cabin and began clearing the dense woods that surrounded it and in a few years he had a good farm under cultivation and became one of the influential citizens in the early days of the county. The elder Green and family was one of seven families that came to this vicinity about the same time. The white children played with the children of the red men, and Mr. Green often traded corn to the Indians for venison; He lived to an advanced age, and his good wife died when nearly one hundred and two years old. This sterling old couple sleeps the peaceful sleep of the just in the quiet Dunkirk cemetery.
William S. Green, father of our subject, grew to manhood on the homestead, where he worked hard when a boy, sharing the hardships incident to such an environment. He never had any school advantages and never learned to read or write or count money, but nevertheless this somewhat remarkable man became very successful and left a large estate, comprising some four hundred acres of valuable land, besides other properties. He learned much about woodcraft, hunting and the habits of the denizens of earth, water and air from his Indian playmates when a child. He was a man of rugged physique and unswerving honesty, and he did what he could to ward the early development of his community. His death occurred May 12, 1887, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, a woman of kind heart and helpful impulses, preceded him to the grave in 1871. They were buried in Maxville cemetery. To them fourteen children were born. The father married a second time, his last wife being Sylvania Hiatt, by whom two children were born. Of the first family only four are now living, namely: Sarah, who married William Y. Puckett, resides in Winchester; Alva C., farmer of White River township, this county, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Benjamin F., of this review; and George, who lives in White River township.
Benjamin F. Green grew to manhood on the home farm and worked there when growing up, and he obtained his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. He remained under his parental roof-tree until 1884.
Mr. Green has been three times married, first, on July 12, 1884, to Mattie Williams, a daughter of Joshua and Sarah Williams, and to this union three children were born, all of whom died in early childhood, and the wife and mother died September 21, 1894, at the early age of twenty-eight years. The children were named Archie, born in May, 1885, died May 11, 1892; Julia, born September, 1888, died September 21, 1890; and an infant died unnamed, December 26, 1893. Mr. Green's second marriage was on October 22, 1896, to Lillie Kayser, a daughter of Henry and Rachel Kayser, of Randolph county. This union was without issue. The second wife died December 23, 1902. Mr. Green's last marriage took place June 20, 1903, when he espoused Ida Morrical, a daughter of Floyd and Nancy Ellen (Brown) Morrical, of Winchester, both parents being now deceased. Two children have been born to this last union, namely: Everett C., born March 14, 1906; and Mary F., born January 17, 1911.
Mr. Green has lived on the farm where he now resides since he left home, forty acres of land and two thousand dollars being his marriage portion from his father. He has a well-improved place, and carries on general farming and stock raising. He has a pleasant home. He does not farm on as extensive a scale as some of his neighbors but does his work well and makes a good living.
Politically, Mr. Green is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Quaker faith, from which he has never departed. He is giving his children proper educational advantages.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson