John Esson. 

A more praiseworthy record than that of the late John Esson could scarcely be found 
within the annals of Newton County. It was of such men that the Holy Writer spoke when 
he said: "Their bodies are buried in peace but their names live for evermore. The people 
will tell of their wisdom and the congregation will show forth their praise."
For more than thirty-five years he had his home in Newton County. He was born in North 
Hamptonshire, England, August 21, 1844, a son of Thomas and Susan (Chamberlain) Esson who 
came to America in 1855 and settled in Will County, Illinois. John Esson grew up in 
Illinois, had a practical though limited education and was still a young man when he moved 
to Newton County in 1871 and located on a farm northwest of Brook. He was an active farmer 
and lived in the country until 1B90, when he moved to Brook, where he had his home until his 
death on January 17, 1907.
He brought with him to Newton County a wife and small family. On October 17, 1866, he 
married Miss Emerette R. Park. Their second daughter Eva died in infancy, and the only 
other child was Ida M., now Mrs. John F. Lawrence of Brook. Mr. Esson was a Republican and 
at one time filled the office of county coroner. He was one of the founders of the Bank of 
Brook. Soon after coming to Indiana he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was 
one of its active members as long as he lived.
Such are the ordinary facts of biography. What his life meant and his influence, are best 
realized in a review of his career which appeared in the Brook Reporter, from which the 
following paragraphs are quoted:
"Would that it were in the power of our pen to depict the life of 'Uncle Jack' as he was 
known to everyone. Clean and upright, ever willing to help the needy, nay, not only willing 
but always first. In years gone by how well everyone remembers that oft time repeated 
sentence when there was needy or a needy enterprise lagging for want of push, 'Get Uncle 
Jack, he can raise more money than any half dozen men in the community.' This was not only 
a fact in one line but very line where assistance was necessary. And, did he ask any man 
to subscribe more than he was wont to give himself? Never. He always headed the list with 
the largest sum that was found on it. We give this as only an instance to illustrate the 
noble traits of manhood, ready to lend succor to the needy at all times and under all 
circumstances.
“Taken as a business man he was connected with the Bank of Brook as its vice president 
since the institution started, almost with the beginning of the town. While never taking 
an active part beyond the directorship of the bank, he lent his executive ability in 
assisting it to build up a reputation as one of the strongest financial institutions in 
this section of the state.
"'In one line will he be missed more than all others by the citizens of our town and 
community. He was essentially a booster, a believer in progress and progressive ideas, 
and there was no enterprise started in our town but what the sound and calculating judgment 
of 'Uncle Jack' was not sought. Still more along this line was his love for lair play and 
honest purposes, and his ever readiness to lend a helping hand or word of encouragement to 
a young man just starting out in life. Mr. Esson was a man of the broadest views on all 
subjects. Added not only were the interests of his home town, but the interests of the 
county at large, its farming advancement, good roads improvement, and all like projects, 
and there was seldom a time when he was not the leading official in a hall dozen 
organizations for the betterment of the community and the county. " A man of active life, 
never at rest or satisfied unless he was performing some act of charity or benefit to his 
fellow beings, his loss to the community cannot be estimated, and he was a man that cannot 
be replaced, for a lifetime shows but few that have the traits that make them a leader in 
all lines and hold that leadership through good deeds." 


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