VAIL, Joseph - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Last Saturday morning death came to Joseph Vail, the oldest resident of Fountain and Warren counties and he past (sic) peacefully into his last long rest after a lifetime that strecht (sic) oer nearly 97 years, a period that embraces the greatest development this world has ever known. For many years his rugged constitution defied the claims of time but old age at last conquered and death came as a result of arterial sclerosis. Up to last year Mr. Vail’s venerable figure was a familiar sight on the streets of Attica every Saturday afternoon, but last summer his visits became fewer and fewer and finally when the weather grew bad ceased altogether. The funeral service was conducted at the home Monday at 8:30 a.m. after which the body was taken to Fountain and buried beside that of his wife who had preceded him in death many years.  Rev. CW Postill of this city officiated.  Mr. Vail was born in Holmes County, Ohio May 26, 1815. When he was about fifteen years of age the family emigrated to the Wabash Valley and settled at Fountain, then known as Portland and one of the most promising towns on the river.  There he went thru all of the trying experiences of those pioneer days and his memory was rich in incidents of the early history of the Wabash.  Among other things he recalled walking to Covington and witnessing the only legal hanging ever held in Fountain County.  As a young man he made many flatboat trips to New Orleans and knew the river well.  He was married in 1841 to Sidney Isler and they resided for a number of years in Portland. Afterward they moved to the farm north of Kickapoo where he made his home until his death.  Of their eight children, six are living and all were at the funeral except Jack who is in California.