The Republic
Columbus, Indiana
Friday, May 18, 1928
Page 1 and 4

DAVID NEWSOM AGED PASTOR PASSES BEYOND

Had Been Ill Since Last September When Hip Was Fractured in Fall.

VOTED FOR LINCOLN

LIFELONG REPUBLICAN CAST FIRST BALLOT FOR GREAT EMANCIPATOR-FUNERAL SUNDAY MORNING.

The Rev. David T. Newsom, retired minister of the Friends church and the lone survivor of twelve children of a well-known pioneer family, of this county, passed away last night at 8 o'clock at his home in the Albemarle apartmentws on Franklin street. He was 91 years old and one of the oldest residents of the county.

Since las September the Rev. Mr. Newsom had been confined to his home, suffering from a severe illness which followed an accident in which his hip was fractured. He fell to the floor as he started to sit down in a chair. His condition was serious for a time but he improved to some extent and was able to sit up part of the time until about two weeks ago when he gradually began to grow weaker. A few days ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis, which was the immediate cause of his death. The end came quietly and peacefully, the veteran ministering entering death as if in a sleep.

An Outstanding Minister.

The Rev. Mr. Newsom until his retirement several years ago, was one of the outstanding ministers in the country. He was the son of Willis and Sarah (Hall) Newsom, who came to this county from North Carolina in 1820 and settled in the Azalia neighborhood. The family came here  with other Newsom families and the Parker and Hall families and formed a Quaker settlement. David T. Newsom was born on the old homestead in that settlement in 1837 and was the next to the younest of a family of 12 children, all of whom preceded him in death. The parents died when David T. Newsom was but  three years old and he was then reared by a brother, John Newsom, and later made his home with another brother, Nathan Newsom.

During his early life the Reb. Mrm Newsom helped his brothers with the farm work in the summer time and in the winter attended the public schools. He continued  in this way until he graduated from the common schools and the he furthered his education by attending Earlham college. He was there for two  years but ill health forced him to give up his studies. When his health imporved he took up teaching, which profession he followed in Bartholomew and Hendricks counties. He became well-known as a teacher and devoted many years of hard work to the profession of instructing others. When a very young man he was unanimously recored as a minister by the congregation of the Friends church at Azalia, and his career as an active minister extended over a period of more than a half century. He preached in numerous churches in this and adjoining counties and also did evangelistic work in other states.

Lived at Knightstown.

While attending to his religious work, the Rev. Mr. Newsom continued to operate a farm in the Azalia neighborhood, known as the former Isaac Newsom homestead.

In March, 1860, Mr. Newsom was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Newsom, daughter of Luke and Elizabeth Parker Newsom. Several children were born to the union but the children and mother passed away in early life. In July, 1882, he was married to Miss Ruth Woodward, and to this union two daughters were born. The Rev. Mr. Newsom and wife continued to live at the Newsom home in Azalia until about five years ago when they went to Knightstown to live with a daughter, Mrs. Mavel White. A year ago last March they returned here to make their home.

Voted For Lincoln.

The Rev. Mr. Newsom was a life-long republican, although he never aspired to public office. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, of whom he was a warm admirer.

The Rev. Mrs. Newsom is survived by his wife, who has been ill for some time, and two daughters, Mrs. White, of Knightstown, and Mrs. Eva M. Talley, wife of County Auditor Charles W. Talley, of east of this city.  There are also seven grandchildren, Joseph, Wayne, David, Phillip and Betty White, and Ruth and Florence Talley.

The body has been taken to the Walter Hathaway & Company funeral home on Franklin street, where the casket will be open tomorrow from 2 o'clock until 8 o'clock. Short funeral services will be held there Sunday morning at 8:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. Alexander Sharp, of the First Presbyterian church, and the Rev. Louis Stout, of Plainfield, Ind. At 10 o'clock services will be held at the Sandcreek Friends church, near Azalia, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Stout and the Rev. J.R. Walter, pastor of the church. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.