DEATH-John W. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John W. DEATH is successfully engaged in tilling the soil, and has been a resident of Fountain County all his life, for here he was born Nov 29, 1841, a son of John C. and Rosanna Walker Death, the father being a son of Aaron Death, and mother a daughter of John Walker. The father was born in Ohio, but came of good old Virginian stock, for his ancestors for many years had been residents of the Old Dominion. He came to FOuntain County in 1828, when but 17 years of age, and located no a small tract of land. His efforts in following agricultural pursuits met with the best results, and he eventually became the owner of 900 acres of some of the best land for agricultural and stock raising purposes in the county. His first labor for himself was as a rail splitter at 37 and a half cents a hundred and although this occupation did not offer many inducements, he continued to follow it until he had accumulated sufficient means to permit him making a small purchase of land, from which grew his magnificent estate. He at first resided in a lot house, but this eventually gave place to a more modern and better structure, and other improvements about his place were made accordingly. Aaron's sons and daughters are as follows: Townsend, a native of Ohio and cabinet maker by trade; joseph also born in that state and resident of Fountain County; Newton a successful farmer of Fountain County; Caroline D. who was born in Ohio married TH Young, and became the mother of one child; Mary, who married Abram Caldwell, sho is engaged in farming in Fountain County; and Chloe, a native of Ohio, who married Seth Button, by whom she has six children. Of the children of John C. Death's marriage with Miss Walker, Aaron W, who was born in this county in 1844, was killed by a runaway team in 1876; Allen, born on the old homestead in this county in 1847 was married to MIss Melissa Davis and died on his farm in Jackson Twp, April 17, 1892; Millard who was born in 1850, was married to Miss Lizzie Campbell, by whom he has 3 children and is the owner of a fine farm of 500 acres; and John W, the subject of this sketch was reared to mature years on the old homestead and obtained a common school education. He was married Jan 5, 1871, to Miss Laura E. Campbell, a daughter of AJ Campbell,she being one of his 5 daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Death two children were born Eva C, who was born Oct 11, 1872; and Duraward Allen born in 1876. Mr. Death resided on his father's farm until 19, soon after which the flag of his country became endangered and he left home to enlist in the NY Cavalry, being one of Gen. Baker's bodyguards. He served his country for 3 years, was in the 2nd battle of Bull Run, was wounded in the right hand at Middleburg. From 1864 until 1867 he followed the occupation of farming, after which he superintended the home farm until 1872. He first became the owner of 160 acres of land, to which he subsequently added 80 acres more. His land is in an excellent state of cultivation, and on it he erected in 1889 a handsome residence at a cost of $3,000 which contains 9 rooms, and is fitted up with many modern conveniences. His wife is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Death is one of its most liberal supportesr, and has been one of the officers. Politically he is a Republican and sosically belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, and the Horse Thief Detective Association. His family is supposed to be of English lineage and were early settlers of America. A brother of the great great grandfather of the subject of this sketch was killed by the Indians.