WASHBURN-John M. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John M. Washburn, farmer, Attica, youngest child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mann) Washburn, was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 21, 1807. In 1826 he removed with his father's family to Montgomery county, this state, and settled eight miles west of Crawfordsville. He lived there most of the time till 1849, when he came to Davis township, and made his home near where he now lives. Before he came he had followed milling seven years, and has been in the business altogether ten years. With the exception he has always been engaged in farming. He was married June 15, 1826, to Catherine Drake, of Brown county, Ohio. She was born September 4, 1807. They have had ten children: Christopher (deceased), Cornelius (deceased), Elmer (married Melinda Stanley), Enoch (deceased), Joseph (deceased), William (married Emily Newlin, who died July 5, 1878), Rachel (wife of J. F. Carter), Elizabeth J. (wife of Rev.C. J. Bolles Jr.), John (died in infancy), and Albertine (deceased). Mr. Washburn has been a professor of religion since 1854. He was converted under the labors of the Rev. Samuel Gregory, and united with the New Light denomination. When the society dissolved in time of the war he united with the Baptist church at Newtown. Mrs. Washburn made a profession at the same time that he did, and has belonged to the same churches. Mr. Washburn has filled the offices of clerk, deacon and treasurer with faithful zeal in both denominations. He and his wife are prominent members of the Salem Baptist church, and he is one of the trustees. Mr. Washburn has been a life-long democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for president, in 1828. He is one of the most influential and respected men of his township.