This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: wellscc
Surnames: Slusher, Cale, Jones, Morgan, Good, Williams, Riggs, Cruse
Classification: biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
From 1903 Biographical Memoirs of Wells County - B.F. Bowen Publisher
Pages 238-240
JOSIAH SLUSHER
Although this gentleman was left an orphan when a mere infant, he is today one of the
substantial and most respected farmers of Wells county, Indiana. He was born August 27,
1844, on section 17, Jackson township, this county, a son of William and Hettie (Cale)
Slusher, the former of whom was the first to pass away, and on the death of the latter the
child, Josiah Slusher, was taken to the home of Isaac Jones, by whom he was reared on a
farm until he reached his majority, when he was given a horses and saddle by Mr. Jones,
with which he made a trip to Iowa, where he passed one year.
When Mr. Slusher returned to Wells county he worked out as a farm hand for about twelve
months, then went back to Iowa and worked in the same capacity for another year, then made
a trip through Missouri, Kansas and other parts of the west, and finally, in the fall of
1868, returned to Wells county and again worked out by the month until his marriage,
October 29, 1869, to Naomi Morgan. This estimable lady was born September 3, 1848, in
Wayne county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Charles H. and Mary Morgan, natives of South
Carolina, the latter of whom passed away on the farm on which Josiah Slusher now live, and
the former in Warren, Indiana, in 1901.
After marriage Mr and Mrs Slusher lived on rented land in Jackson township, Wells county,
for a considerable time and then lived on Dr. Good's farm in Huntington county for
three years. He then made a sale of his personal effects and went to Arkansas in
November, 1876, but, not liking the country, returned to Wells county, Indiana, the
following February and purchased forty acres of the farm on which he now lives, but which
was then a wilderness and had no improvements except an old log cabin containing but one
room, but in 1885 Mr. Slusher erected a comfortable house in which he and his family lived
until 1901. In the meanwhile he worked industriously at clearing off the land from its
incumbrance of timber and converting it into a fruitful and profitable farm.
By 1901 Mr Slusher had acquired the means with which to purchase the parental homestead,
of which he then took possession. He continued to follow his industrious habits and now
owns one hundred and twenty acres of as fine farm land as can be found in Wells county,
and has besides seven oil wells shich yield him about forty dollars per month. He carries
on general farming and at the same time devotes much of his time and attention to the
breeding of live stock, giving the preference to Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs.
The union of Mr and Mrs Slusher has been blessed with nine children, namely: Emma Eliza,
born July 23, 1870, is now the wife of Oliver Williams, of Jackson township, and is the
mother of four children, Frederick C., Arthur C., Howard D. and an infant; William, the
second child of Mr. and Mrs Slusher, was born August 14, 1872, is a farmer in Jackson
township, is married to Miss Daisy Riggs, and is the father of two children, Ruie G. and
Randall C.; Samuel was born November 20, 1874, and died February 4, 1877; Leora, born
November 25, 1877, died September 2, 1878; Charles H., born September 20, 1879, still
lives under the parental roof; Mary L. was born March 23, 1882, is married to Eugene
Cruse; James R. was born July 27, 1885, and is still at home; Goldie was born June 28,
1891, and the youngest child died in infancy unnamed.
In politics in his earlier manhood Mr. Slusher did not identify himself with any
particular party, but voted for such candidates as were best suited in his opinion to fill
the various offices for which they were nominated, but he is now a strict Prohibitionist.
With his family, he is a member of the Radical United Brethren church, is an active worker
in the congregation and has also been a trustee in the church ever since the erection of
the church edifice.
Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Slusher for the prudence he has exercised
throughout life and the care with which he and his estimable wife have reared such of
their children as have reached mature years and who are now ornaments to the communities
in which they live.
Transcribed by wwkly(a)citznet.com
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.