ELWELL-Amariah - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Amariah ELWELL is one of the wealthy farmers of Fountain County and a representative of one of its early pioneer families, and he has a large and well-equipped farm on Section 12, Mill Creek Township, a part of which was purchased directly from the Government by his father. Mr. Elwell is a native of Indiana and has passed the most of his life in this part of the state, though the first 8 years after his birth, which occurred January 16, 1822, were spent in Union County, where he was born. Our subject's father was John Elwell, who was a son of Amariah Elwell, who came to America from England and settled in New Jersey in colonial times. He was one of the heroes of the Revolution, acting principally as a scout, for which arduous and dangerous position he was well fitted. When at home his work was that of a weaver. He migrated from New Jersey to Butler County, Ohio and thence to Union County, this state, where he died. He was the father of two children, John and David the latter of whom died before he attained his majority. John Elwell was born in Salem County, NJ. He accompanied his father in his migration from New Jersey to Ohio. The family lived for a short time at Cincinnati whither they had journeyed by boat and then went to Butler County. Mr. Elwell was there married to Annie DENEEN, a daughter of James Deneen. He engaged in farming in Butler County for a short time thereafter, and then, in the year 1818, traveled through the wilderness with his wife to settle in the forests of Union County, this state. He built a cabin on land that he entered from the government and lived there until 1830. In that year he came to Fountain County, and again located in the woods, selecting as a site of his future home a quarter section of land now owned and occupied by our subject in Township 18. He afterwards added to his original purchase and became the proprietor of 630 acres of valuable land. His land was in a wild condition, covered with trees of the primeval forest and his first work was to cut away the timber to make room for a cabin. The surrounding country was sparsely settled, and his nearest neighbor lived a mile and ¾ distant. There were deer here in great abundance and bears, wild hogs, wild turkeys and large gray wolves. Mr. Elwell was a hard working shrewd and thrifty farmer, who did well at his calling. In after years he left the farm that he had improved here and took up his residence at Yeddo, where he owned property. He eventually sold his place there and his remaining years were passed in Vermilion County, Illinois where he died in 1856. His wife departed this life two years later. During the War of 1812, Mr. Elwell joined in a campaign against the Indians. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but when the Republican Party was organized he became one of its followers. Religiously, he was a member of the United Brethren Church and was active in its every good work. Mr. Elwell had six sons and six daughters, 11 of his children grew to maturity and five are still living: Amariah; Elijah, a resident of Fulton Township; John a resident of Corning, Adair County, Iowa; Alexander, a farmer of Vermillion County, Indiana and Hiram, a minister of the United Brethren Church in the state of Washington. Those that are dead are: James; Elizabeth who married Hiram NORRIS; Lucinda, who was the wife of Christopher Keller; Charlotte, who died in infancy; Margaret, who was the wife of Richard SINES; and Abigail Ann who was the wife of John SINES. The subject of this sketch was reared amid the primitive surroundings of pioneer life. There were at first no schools here, but the old log cabin that was the original home of the family was prepared for a schoolhouse and John MAYHEW, a neighbor was secured as teacher. Our subject attended school in that humble building for three years, and obtained the rudiments of an education, receiving instruction in arithmetic as far as the "rule of 3." He worked with his father until he was 22 and then went out as a farm hand, hiring out for six months at $8 a month. He continued thus employed, however at the same wages until he was 25. he then took until himself a wife marrying Caroline Sines, a daughter of Joseph Sines, who was one of the early setters of this county. After marriage Mr. Elwell bought 165 acres of his father, and still makes his home upon that tract of land. He has increased the acreage of his farm and now owns 420 acres of land that is in a fine condition as to cultivation and improvements, and is under the able management of his son, Grant, who is a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Elwell's first wife departed this life, leaving a numerous family to mourn her loss. Mr. Elwell married for his second wife Mrs. Florence E. BONEBREAK, a daughter of William YOUNT of this county. Our subject is the father of 10 children, the youngest the fruit of his second marriage. His children, John and Amanda died in their youth. The remaining children, are Melissa, wife of Andrew MARSHALL, a lawyer at Veedersburg; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Henry Marshall, a farmer of Butler County, Kansas; Sylvester, County Auditor, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Jane, wife of Berne ADAMS, of Montgomery County, KS; Melinda, a resident of Mill Creek Township and widow of Archidemus McCORMICK; Julia, wife of Daniel VALENTINE of Yeddo; Grant who married Estelle WALTON and resides on his father's farm and Maud L, who is at home with her parents. Mr. Elwell is a man of upright habits and sound principles, who has acquired his property by strict attention to business, seconded by sound judgment in his dealings. He is a member in high standing of the United Brethren Church of which he is trustee. In his political sentiments he is a Republican, and has been true to his party ever since its formation. He was elected Justice of the Peace one time but as he did not aspire to office, he failed to qualify for the position.

Amariah Elwell, farmer, Harveysburg is an old settler of Fountain Co. His father, John Elwell, was a native of NC and his mother, Ann Denee Elwell of Ohio. They were marr. in Butler County Oh and moved to Union County In. In 1831 they emigrated to Fountain County and settled in Mill Creek Twp, where Mr. Elwell entered a half sect of land. He built a cabin, 18 x 40 double, and in this himself, wife and 11 children James; Betsy; Lucinda; Elijah; Lourana; Arariah,; Margaret; John; Abby A; Alexander; and Hiram, wintered and lived for years. Mr. and Mrs.Elwell moved to Ill where both d. THey were pioneer members of the UnIted Brethren Ch. He was an early democart but now a republican. He served two mos in the Indan war. He was a stong, robust man and a agreat worker. Amariah, s/o John andAnn was born June 16, 1822 in Union County, Indiana. His schooling was acquired under pioneer circumstances and advantage. He became physidally well developed as he cleared and grubbed and tilled the farm. He has spent his life since 8 years old on the farm his father entered and now owns 160 acres of it. He has added till he owns 520 acres a frame house 20 x 40 two stories, with L, 18 x 18 the result of hard work and economy. He used to be a dem, but is now a thorough repub. Mr. E. was marr. in 1847 to Carolien SIgns, d/o Joseph & Mary Signs old settlers here. She was b. in Ross County Ohio January 6, 1828. She was amember of the uNited Breth. Ch. She d. May 25, 1871 leaving 9 children; Melissa, mary A, Sylvester, John, James, Melinda, Amanda C, Julia and Grant. Mr. E. was next married to Florina Bonebrake, daughter ofWilliam Yount, of Harveyburg. She is a native of Parke County . in 1845; one child, Maud in the second family. Mand Mrs. Elwell are connectd with the United Bretheran Church.