Mahlon Cosner, one of the pioneer farmers of Franklin Township, Hendricks County, Ind., and one of the old soldiers, who was disabled in the Civil War, springs from sterling German stock, the tradition being that in colonial times three brothers came from Germany, of whom two settled in Pennsylvania and one in North Carolina, from whom springs this branch of the family. The original founder in North Carolina had two sons, Frederick and Henry, who came to Indiana. Frederick settled in Hendricks County, on the National Road, and Henry settled in Monroe County and remained there until his death. The original founder in North Carolina was twice married, and John Cosner, grandfather of our subject, was the issue of the second marriage, and was born in Stokes County, that state; he married there Abigal Pike and became the father of seven children: Anthony, William, Sallie, Lizzie, Lovie, Hannah and Peggie. John Cosner moved to Indiana and settled among the pioneers in Franklin Township when he was an old man and the children were all married, except Lovie, and they all settled in Hendricks County, and brought up families. John Cosner died an aged man. He spoke both German and English, was a prosperous farmer, respected citizen, a preacher in the Quaker church and very strict in his life, always attending meeting twice a week. Anthony Cosner, father of our subject, was born in Stokes County, N.C., in 1799, and there married Katie, daughter of Samuel Phillips, and to Mr. and Mrs. Cosner six children were born: John, Mahlon, Samuel, Lucinda, Sarah and William, all born in North Carolina, except William, who was born in Indiana, where Mr. Cosner moved in 1831, residing first in Wayne County until 1836, and then settling in Hendricks County, in Franklin Township, where he entered 160 acres of land in the thick woods, and by hard work and industry cleared up his farm, assisted by his sons, and by thrift and perseverance became a substantial farmer and in turn assisted his children. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church, and he was a strong Union man. He was an honorable and upright citizen and died at the great age of ninety years, retaining his health and activity to the last day of his life. He rode a spirited horse up to his last days, and would sit as erect in his saddle as a young man.

Mahlon Cosner, our subject, was born January 12, 1823, in Stokes County, N.C., and was eight years old when he came to Indiana. He was reared among the pioneers, became a farmer, and received a limited education in the old log school-house. He married, in this county, Katie, daughter of Davis and Katie (Westmoreland) Boswell, and they were parents of three children: Adoniram J., Wyatt and Margaret. After marriage Mr. Cosner settled in Stilesville and worked at blacksmithing for a year, and then moved to Coatesville, and followed the same business. He enlisted in Company E, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Indianan Infantry, for sixty days and served three months, his service being in Kentucky, guarding railroads, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Ind. He was exposed a great by sleeping on the ground, and contracted rheumatism while on guard duty at Elizabethtown, Ky. He was on several mounted expeditions to the surrounding country after rebels, and on one of these his horse stumbled and partially fell and ruptured Mr. Cosner, from which injury he has never recovered. After his service he returned to Coatesville, and finding that he was too disabled to shoe horses, the following spring he bought his present farm, then consisting of sixty acres, to which by industry and thrift, he has added until he has a good farm of 140 acres clear of debt, and, with his pension of $17 per month, is in comfortable circumstances. His first wife died, and he married, January 10, 1884, in Coatesville, Ind., Susan, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Taylor) Weavel. Samuel Weavel, now deceased, was born in North Carolina and was twice married. By his first wife, Malina Weavel, he had two children, Albert and a daughter, who died young. By his second wife, Nancy (Taylor) Weavel, he had five children: Phoebe, Henry, Sarah, Mary, and Susan. Mr. Weavel was a substantial farmer and respected citizen, and died at over sixty years of age. Mr. Cosner has alwlays been a stanch Republican, is a member of the G.A.R., Enoch Alexander post, of Stilesville, and has held minor offices. He has been a deacon in the Baptist Church many years and has always been an industrious, hard-working man, and made his property by his own unaided efforts.
(From A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 1015-1016)