Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Broaddus, Homer M.

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Homer M. Broaddus (p 796)

The basis of the development and material prosperity of the great middle-western section of the Union has been agricultural, and to the noble art of husbandry have been given as devotees some of the strongest and most sterling characters which have figured in the annals of the nation. In view of this fact there is always a distinct satisfaction to be gained in defining the life history of old and prominent families who have contributed to the continuous progress of any locality through this time-honored medium. He whose name initiates this review is a representative of a family whose history has been indissolubly connected with that of Fayette County, Indiana, from the early pioneer epoch; and it is clearly incumbent that in this work there may be made at least incidental reference to the lives and labors of those of the name who have thus honored the locality through their endeavors and their characters.

The first representative of the Broaddus family in Fayette County was Robert L. Broaddus, grandfather of the immediate subject of this review. This honored pioneer was a native of the Old Dominion and a representative of a prominent family long settled in Virginia. He was born in Louisa County, Virginia, May 15, 1794. As early as the year 1828 he left his southern home and came to Fayette County, where he settled on a tract of four hundred and fifty acres of practically unimproved land in Harrison Township. Part of this ancestral estate is now occupied by the subject of this sketch, and as one of the finest and most valuable farmsteads in the section gives evidence of the approved methods and wise discrimination which have been brought to bear in its development and cultivation. Robert L. Broaddus continued his residence on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1856, when he had reached a venerable age. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, was successful in his endeavors and was a man whose honor and integrity in all the relations of life were uniformly recognized. He carried on farming operations on an extensive scale, as evident from his large holdings of land, and he occupied a position of distinguished prominence in the community. In politics he was originally a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican Party espoused its cause and was thereafter a stalwart supporter of its principles and policies. He held the office of captain in the Indiana State militia, and was on that account generally referred to as Captain Broaddus. His old sword, a valued souvenir, is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. Captain Broaddus and his wife were exemplary members of the Christian Church.

Captain Robert L. Broaddus married Miss Betsy I. White, who was born in Scott County, Kentucky, February 8, 1797, and they became the parents of two daughters and four sons, all of whom were born and reared on the old homestead farm, and reached mature age, but none of them are now living.

The father of our subject was W. H. Broaddus, who was born in Harrison Township, as above implied, on the 13th day of August, 1826. He lived a long and useful life and the esteem and honor in which he was held came as the natural consequence of his genial personality and his stanch integrity. His entire active career was devoted to agricultural and closely allied pursuits, in the prosecution of which he occupied and operated the homestead farm. He was a man of pronounced intellectuality and marked enterprise and public spirit, his prominence as a representative of the interests of the community being shown in the fact that he was called upon to serve a term in the state legislature, from the district comprising Fayette and Union Counties. He was an active worker in the cause of the Republican Party, in whose advancement he ever maintained a lively interest, his belief in its principles and policies being thoroughly fortified by a careful study of the issues of the hour and by a discriminating judgment.

W. H. Broaddus eventually devoted considerable attention to dairying, establishing on his farm a cheese dairy, which he conducted with indifferent success, but amplified this feature of his industrial pursuits by establishing also a creamery, from which he supplied milk to the citizens of Connersville. He was ever alive to the obligations which an active business life imposes in connection with the welfare of his fellow men. August 31, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda E. Scott, of Wayne County, and of their children three sons are now living: Homer M., the immediate subject of this sketch; Lunsford L., who is an attorney at law in Connersville, being a member of the well known firm of Florea & Broaddus; and Frank S., who is engaged in farming, stock raising and dairying in Harrison Township, this county. The parents were devout members of the Christian Church in Harrisburg, in which the father held for many years the office of elder. The death of the mother occurred September 21, 1887, she having attained the age of fifty-eight years, six months and twenty-nine days; while the father entered into eternal rest on the 30th of September, 1896, aged seventy years, one month and seventeen days.

Homer M. Broaddus was born on the old homestead, in Harrison Township, on the 20th of October, 1848, and here he has continued to reside all his life with the exception of five years passed in Wayne County, Indiana. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he prosecuted a course of study at Dublin, this state, and then matriculated in Northwestern University (now Butler College) at Indianapolis, where he continued his studies for one year. Having thus been reinforced by excellent educational advantages, Mr. Broaddus entered upon his practical business career by returning to the ancestral homestead, where he has since devoted his attention to farming and stock raising, his efforts being attended with a success which has proved him an able successor of his worthy and honored father. In early life he taught in the district schools for seven years, in winter, farming summers.

Staunchly arrayed in the advocacy of the principles of the Republican Party, he has been a zealous worker in its ranks, and his eligibility for positions of trust and responsibility has not lacked for public recognition, since in 1894 he became the candidate of his party for the office of county auditor, to which he was elected for a term of four years, assuming the duties of the position in November, 1895, and discharging the same with credit to himself and in such a way as to gain the commendation of his local public, and secured for him in 1898 a re-election to this office for a second term of four years. He also served for four years as township trustee of Harrison Township, and is recognized as one of the enthusiastic and valuable members of his party, and as a man whose intellectuality, good judgment and fairness make him worthy of any office to which he may be called. In religion he clings to the faith of his parents and ancestors, and is a member of the Christian Church. During the progress of the war of the Rebellion Mr. Broaddus evidenced his patriotism and loyalty by enlisting, May 30, 1864, in the Union ranks, when in his sixteenth year. He became a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for a few months. He maintains his interest in his old comrades in arms by holding a membership in Connersville Post, No. 126, G. A. R.

On the 23rd of October, 1873, Mr. Broaddus was united in marriage to Miss Alice F. Caldwell, of Harrison Township, who died September 6, 1885, leaving three children, namely: Flora C., a teacher in the public schools of Connersville; Dan R., who is engaged in farming on the parental homestead; and Mary I., wife of T. A. Coleman, of Rushville, Indiana. The family enjoy a distinct popularity in the community, and the home is a center of refined hospitality.