ROADES-John - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John ROADES, the gentleman of whom we write, whose pleasant home is to be found in Wabash Twp, is descended from a well-known and high-minded family, the majority of the members of which have been engaged in tilling the soil, an occupation to which John Roades has given his undivided attention for many years, and has been one of its successful followers. He was born in Warren County, Ohio Feb 24, 1820 a son of Jacob and Mary Fox Roades, the former of whom was born in PA and the latte rin Ohio. They became the parents of 3 children of whom John was eldest, the other two being Henry, who was born in OH in 1822 and married Miss Mary Byers by whom he has one child. He commenced the occupation of a tiailor in 1837. Polly Ann is married, the mother of 3 and resides in Idiana. After the death of his first wife Jacob Roades took for his second wife a Miss Rea, who wasb orn and spent her life in Fountain County. Their children are as follows: George, born in this county; Samuel who was born in this county married a Miss Hill and is a farmer near Cross Port; Joseph was also born here is married and is engaged in tilling the soil; Elizabeth is married and a resident of Fountain County and Ann is also married. The Roades family is of German descent but since the early Colonial days of this country have been represente din America, where they have ever been honorable and useful citizens. In 1812, John Roades' grandafther was engaged by the Government in buying horses at Dayton, Ohio. In 1847 John Roades, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth daughter of James Graham their union resulting in the birth of one child. HIs wife die din 1849 and on 17 Oct 1851, he married Miss Mary A. Wolf, by whom he became the father of: Henry who wasb orn in 1852; Sylvester in 1855; Ellen 1857 because the wife of John Lewis; harriet E. born 1859 married Charles Marlette by whom she has one child and is residing in Fountain County; Mary A who was born in 1861 and is residing at home; Amanda R who was born in 1865; John who was born in 1867 and is at home; Viola who was born in 1870 and is the wife of PE Townsley; and Emma J who was born in 1874 and died Jan 15, 1892. John Roades never attended school in Indiana but by contact with the business affairs of life he has become an exceptionally well-informed man and possessed a large fund of useful knowledge. He determined to make the calling of agriculture his occupation through life and he at once settled on some land and purchased stock. His real estate at first amounted to only 40 acres but he continued to add to it from time to time and has now become the owner of a valuable estate consisting of 351 acres in the management of which he has shown much disciminating judgment and practical knowledge. Hi sland was at first covered with heavy timber but with the energy and determination that have ever characterized his proceedings he weilded his axe to such purpose that he soon had a goodly tract ready for the plow. His farm is very neatly kept the buildings are in excellent condition and it is but necessary to glance over his fine property to at once come to the conclusion that a man of enterprise has control of the reins. He and his worthy wife are church members and he has always been a liberal supporter of religious and educational institutions. He is a Republican, politically and has ably filled the office of County Supervisor.