Joseph  L.  Carson

          Joseph L. Carson, ex-Auditor of Shelby County, Ind., was born in Marion County, Ind., October 7, 1836, and is the son of  Alexander and  Mary (Wells) Carson — he is a native of Ohio, and she of Kentucky — who settled in Marion County about 1828.  Joseph L. was the fifth in a family of six children, and, his mother dying in Marion County when he was but four years old, his father was married to  Mary Morphew, to whom were born six children.  When Joseph L. was thirteen years old, his parents moved to Tipton County, Ind., where he lived three years, then returned to Marion County, where he grew to manhood.  His father died in Clinton County, of this State.  In 1864, Mr. Carson came to Shelby County, settling in Fairland, where he engaged in general merchandising and grain dealing, which he carried on until the close of 1877, when he sold out his business and interests therein.  During his residence at Fairland, he filled the office of Justice of the Peace ten years.  He was married in Marion County, Ind., March 8, 1864, to  Nancy Smith, daughter of  Samuel and  Agnes Smith, natives of Kentucky.  Mrs. Carson was born in Marion County, Ind., and has two children.  She is a member of the Baptist, and her husband of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the A. O. U. W., and politically a staunch Democrat, believing that the principles of that party are conducive to the stability and perpetuation of a free government.  In 1878, Mr. Carson was elected on the Democratic ticket. Auditor of Shelby County, Ind., taking his seat September 1, 1879.  He was a careful and painstaking official, and after the expiration of his term of office he returned to Fairland, where his home has ever since been.  In 1885, he again engaged in merchandising and the grain business which he has continued to the present time.  In May 1887, he was appointed by Gov. Gray, President of the Board of Benevolent Institutions of the State, a position he now fills.  Mr. Carson is one of the county's leading citizens, and this public recognition of his services is well merited.  His portrait appears in this volume.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, "Brandywine [Township] Sketches, page 609-610.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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