Portrait & Biographical Record, Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893 p 489. Oliver H. PALIN. It will be seen by a perusal of
this sketch of the life of one of the most respected and prominent agriculturists of
Fountain County, Ind that his educational advantages in youth were very meager, for he was
reared at a time when a good education was not considered so essential a part of a
man's training as at the present day. Although somewhat deficient as regards his
knowledge of books his naturally vigorous mind has so grasped and embraced the
opportunities which have presented themselves, that he is accounted among the most
intelligent and learned men of his section. He was born in Henry County, Indiana Dec 19,
1833, a son of Henry and Hulda Hunt Palin, the former of whom was born in the Old North
State. At the age of 12 he came with his father, who was a native of England, to Wayne
County, Indiana and later settled in Henry Co where the rest of his ddays were spent. His
wife was from NJ. From the very first Oliver H. Palin was taught everything connected
with farming, and after coming to Fountain county in the fall of 1853, he worked by the
month for two or three years for an uncle, E.N. Palin who came to this county in Feb 1836,
and settled near Newtown. In 1861 he settled on a 200 acre tract of land near Newotwn
which was partially improved, and on this farm he made his home for 20 years, during which
time he put it in an excellent state of cultivation, and greatly improved it in the way of
buildings, fences,e tc. He was engaged in general farming, in whic he met with good
success, but now rents his farm, which contains at the present time 320 acres. In
addition to this he owns 80 acres of land one mile north of the home place, and a fine
40-acre tract of timber land, also a valuable city residence. Mr. Paline wood and won for
his wife, Mrs. Belind (Martin) Bromley, widow of John Bromley, to whom she was married at
age 17 Jan 21, 1846. Their married life extended over a period of not quite 10 years. Mr.
Bromley's death occuring Nov 15, 1865, in Warren County, ind of which place he had
been a resident about six years. Mrs. Bromley's marriage with Mr. Palin was
celebrated Sept 28, 1858. She was born in Miami Co Ohio April 15, 1827, a daughter of
Ephraim Martin, who was a native of PA and eventually became a resident of Fountain
County. His wife, who maiden name was Rhoda Sayers was born in Green County, PA. Mr. and
Mrs. Palin have no family, but are in the enjoyment of a wide circle of friends whom it is
their pleasure to gather beneath their pleasant and hospitable roof. They hav e
acomfortable and handsome residence at the corner of Washington & Council Streets and
now, as they deserve to do, are resting frmo the burden and heat of the day, and are
enjoying the comforts thie early labor has provided. Mrs. Palin is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and in his politial proclivities, Mr. Palin is a Republican but
he has never been an aspiral for office as the poltical arena has no charms for him.