Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 240-242.

PHILIP B. ALBERSON.

The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Wells County and for a number of years he has been actively identified with the varied interests of the township in which he resides. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his worthy discharge of important trusts, together with his sound judgment and sterling integrity, have brought to him prosperity and public confidence and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and who places upon honorable endeavor its proper value. In all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and without a brief record of his career the biographical history of Wells County would be incomplete.

Philip B. Alberson was born January 29, 1854, in Adams county, Indiana, and is a son of Charles and Mary A. (Brown) Alberson. Charles was the son of Joshua and Catherine Alberson, who were among the early settlers of Randolph county, Indiana, subsequently removing to the county of Adams. Charles Alberson was born in Randolph county, but grew up and married in Adams, moving from the latter to Wells County about the year 1860, settling on the farm which his son Philip B. now owns. He cleared eighty acres of this place, became one of the substantial men of his community and died in the year 1878, honored and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. His widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty and is quite strong and vigorous for one of her years, retaining in a marked degree her mental as well as her bodily powers. Mr. and Mrs. Alberson reared a large family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Joshua, a resident of Nottingham township; Elizabeth, wife of W. S. Settles; Henry, of Nottingham township; Philip, subject of this sketch; Catherine, who married Warren Walser; Nancy, now Mrs. Mat Tinsley; Daniel, of this county; Julia, wife of Robert Gilby; Jacob, a farmer of Nottingham, and Samuel, also a resident of this township; the first born of the family was a son by the name of John who died in infancy.

Philip B. Alberson received a limited knowledge of books in the schools of his native township and owing to circumstances which he could not command was unable to prosecute his studies as far as he desired. He remained at home faithfully attending to the duties of the farm until seventeen years of age, when he began earning money for himself by working as a farm hand for a man by the name of Settle, later entering the employ of Mr. Jacob Wolf. He was thus engaged for two years, at the end of which time he took charge of the home place on account of his father's ill-health and continued to look after the same until beginning life for himself several years later. While cultivating the old homestead he purchased twenty-five acres of his own and on the 16th of September, 1877, was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Davis, daughter of T. F. and Alice (Rogers) Davis, of Adams county. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Alberson moved to his little place in Nottingham township referred to above, but did not long remain there, his father's continued ill health causing him again to return to the old home. On the death of his father he purchased his brothers' and sisters' interests in the estate after which he took possession of the farm and has since cultivated it in connection with stock raising, realizing liberal returns from his labors. He has added many improvements to the place in the way of buildings, draining, etc., and from time to time has purchased other lands until he is now the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of real estate which for productiveness and advantage of situation is not excelled by any like area in the township of Nottingham. In addition to his country real estate, Mr. Alberson has valuable town property, owning a large store building and several dwelling houses in Phoenix, besides lots and buildings in the village of Petroleum. In connection with agriculture he has made for a number of years past a specialty of live stock, particularly the rearing of hogs, and has shown excellent judgment in this important branch of husbandry. Not a little of Mr. Alberson's wealth of recent years has been derived from the twenty-three oil wells on his land, his share of the proceeds now averaging from sixty to seventy dollars per month, although much greater than these amounts for some time following the development of the industry.

Mr. Alberson has always been recognized as a man of sound judgment and excellent business qualifications, in view of which facts his services have frequently been in demand to settle estates and act as guardian for minor heirs, several of which trusts he has on his hands at the present time. His advice in legal matters has also been sought by his neighbors and his opinions in these and other affairs have seldom if ever been at fault. As a Republican he has taken an active interest in political and public affairs and as a citizen his voice and influence have always been used to further legitimate objects for the material advancement of the community and the social and moral improvement of his fellowmen. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 721, at Petroleum, his wife belonging to the Rebekah degree, Lodge No. 571 at Petroleum.

Mr. and Mrs. Alberson have had nine children, whose names and other facts concerning them are as follows: Rella M., born July 5, 1878, is the wife of John Young, of this county, and the mother of three offspring, Arlie, Esther and Oakes; the second of the family was an infant daughter, born and died on the 6th of October, 1880; Emma C. was born November 18, 1882; and still lives under the parental roof; the next in order of birth was an infant that died unnamed; John C. was born on the 7th day of June, 1885; Arvil, born July 28, 1887, died October 6, of the same year; Mary A. was born August 11, 1888, departed this life on the 13th of September, 1889; William was born August 11, 1890, and Violet, whose birth occurred on the 10th day of June, 1894. Mr. Alberson's family is one of the best known and among the most popular in this part of the county. He has every reason to be proud of his fine home, of his well cultivated farm and of his good citizenship and excellent name. The high esteem in which he is held bears testimony to his moral character and substantial worth, and his life has been so filled with good deeds that he finds little to regret in the years gone by.