John Brockman (deceased), the subject of this sketch, was a native of Shelby County, Ind., born on the 21st day of June, 1828. He was raised a farmer, and early began working at that useful occupation, which he followed successfully all his life. July 12, 1861, he married Miss Mary Beeson, whose father, Isaac Beeson, was born in North Carolina, in the year 1801. Mr. Beeson came to Indiana many years ago, and was a leading farmer of Blue River township, where his death occurred March 29, 1884. He had a family of nine children, two of whom fell in defense of the old flag in the late Civil War. Mrs. Beeson died in the year 1871. For several years after his marriage Mr. Brockman lived with his father-in-law, and in 1884 erected a beautiful residence, which was his home for a little less than two years. He met his death under the following painful circumstances: “One Friday afternoon he took his gun for the purpose of shooting a hawk, but failing in this, started to go out where his dogs were chasing a rabbit. In the act of climbing a fence near the house, the gun by some means was discharged, the shot taking effect in his body, severing an artery near the heart.” Mrs. Brockman seeing him fall, ran to his assistance, and reached him in time to see him expire. He died in her arms without a sign of recognition. His funeral was largely attended, and the sermon on the occasion, preached by Rev. Mr. Turner, of Edinburg, was a glowing and eloquent tribute to a loving husband and father, and a deserved encomium to his worth as an honorable citizen and respected neighbor. At the time of his death Mr. Brockman was fifty-eight years and six months old. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman raised a family of five children, namely: Vinson, Ulysses, Isaac, Annie and Charles, all of whom are living with their mother on the home farm in Blue River Township.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 401.