DAVID ESHELMAN. The business of contractor and builder has been the vocation of Mr. Eshelman, since his early manhood. The degree of accomplishment in such a career is open to inspection, for there are hundreds of homes, business and public structures through this section of Indiana that are the practical testimony of his skill and ability.
Representing one of the pioneer families of Madison County and one of the leading men in his line of business, Mr. Eshelman was born in Madison County, on a farm four miles north of the city of Anderson in Lafayette Township on January 16, 1850. His father was John Eshelman, a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent his youth and acquired a common school education. He married Mrs. Nancy (Mustard) Elliott, an aunt of Daniel Mustard, so well known at Anderson. Grandfather George Mustard was a pioneer settler of Madison County, and the maiden name of his wife was Miss Delay. After his marriage, John Eshelman, the father, settled on a farm in Lafayette Township, and conducted a farm of three hundred acres, a place which he did much to develop from its original wild state. He continued to live on the farm until his death in 1870. His wife, who survived him, died in 1892.
David Eshelman was reared on the farm just described, and during the winter terms for a number of years attended the district school in the neighborhood. When he was seventeen years old he was qualified and obtained a certificate to teach, and spent about three years in that vocation in the country districts. Abandoning the profession of teacher, he took up the trade of carpenter, and in a few years became identified with building and contracting.
In 1875, Mr. Eshelman married Miss Charity Scott. The two sons horn to their marriage are Ross W., a carpenter and contractor, and Albert A., who is at home with his f er. After the marriage, David Eshelman located on a farm for some time, and later moved into Anderson. Since establishing himself in business in the County seat, he has erected a large number of the better residences in the city, many store buildings, and had a contract for much of the work on the Union Building, the six-story structure which is one of the best office buildings in this section of the state. On the basis of his performance, the name of David Eshelman stands for quality and efficiency. He does much work in the country districts in Madison County, and in neighboring towns. He is noted for his honorable and thorough work, and is himself a skilled workman, a fact which has stood him to good advantage in his business. Mr. Eshelman has a comfortable home at 124 Fifth Street in Anderson. In politics he takes much interest on the Democratic side, and has served as a member of the city council, and was trustee of the Township, before he came to Anderson. Fraternally he is well known in Masonic circles, being affiliated .with Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, A. F. & A. M., Anderson Chapter No. 52 R. A. M. and Anderson Commandery No. 2, K. T.