Faust - Aaron - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Faust - Aaron

Aaron FAUST

Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 241

Aaron Faust, who lives on his farm on Sec 32, South Union Township is one of the oldest residents of Montgomery County, a son of one of its early settlers, and himself a pioneer. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bucks County, Oct 19, 1807, one of 8 children, five of whom grew to maturity, and of whom he and his brother, Reuben a resident of Darlington are the only survivors.

The father of our subject, George Faust, was also born in Bucks County, the year 1770 the date of his birth and there he was reared and in due time married Mary Poll. In 1816 he removed to Butler County and engaged in farming on rented land. June 1, 1817, he had the misfortune to lose his wife by her untimely death. In October 1825, he cast his lot with the pioneers who were opening up the wilds of Indiana for settlement. Accompanied by his family, the journey was made with wagons, as there were no railways in those days. But few had preceded Mr. Faust in his migration to these parts and he was one of the first to locate in Montgomery County, selecting a suitable situation for his future home on Sec 28, South Union Twp, where he purchased 80 acres of land of the Government. He subsequently bought other land and at the time of his death owned 130 acres, besides having purchased and given 80 acres to his son, our subject. Mr. Faust, who was of German origin, adhered to the Lutheran faith and was a conscientious member of the church. He exerted a good influence in the community, as is shown by the following instance: in the early days of the settlement of the country it was customary to have whisky at log rollings. Observing the baleful influence it had on his friends and neighbors, on one such occasion he mounted a pile of logs and in an earnest speech made the bold proposition that the liquor be no more used at their gatherings. Many of his neighbors told him that no one would assist him to build his house, cut his oats or help him in any work that they were wont to do together if he did not provide the intoxicant. But when the time came for help from others they were all there and they worked so well without the stimulus of the liquor that none was used on such occasions from that day forth. Mr. Faust was a Whig in politics. He was always interested in all modern improvements, favored the construction of the railway in this vicinity and watched its progress intently, but did not live to witness its completion, dying two days before that important event.

Aaron Faust was 18 when his father came to this county and this has been his home ever since. He can look back over the long period of 67 years that he has dwelt in this region to the time when it was a vast wilderness where Indians still made their home and panther, wolves and other wild animals abounded. The first night after his arrival here our subject had a little adventure in hunting deer that he has never forgotten. He and his brother-in-law, accompanied by a neighbor, went to a deer lick to shoot some deer. They ensconced themselves behind a large log and the neighbor and brother-in-law were soon asleep. After lying awhile, Mr. Faust heard something moving in thetree above him. He nudged the slumberers, who said, 'Shut up, you damn fool, go to sleep!" As they completed this sententious advice, a fearful scream was heard and looking up a big panther was in the branches of the tree. They all fired, but the animal escaped, as it was not light enough to see to take good aim. The log house that the Fausts built for their home was somewhat superior in some respects tot he primitive pioneer structures in which some of the settlers lived as it had a puncheon instead of a dirt floor, glass in the windows, and a roof made of clapboards. Our subject lived with his father until his marriage in 1830 to Miss Sarah BYRD, a daughter of George and Mary Byrd of Warren County, Ohio their marriage taking place in her native state. He then returned to Indiana with his bride, and they made their home on the 80 acres of land given him by his father in Union Township, where he still lives. He was prospered in his calling, increased the area of his farm to 220 acres by subsequent purchase and has a competency that enables him to live in retirement from active business. Although he has passed the milestone that marks a long life 85 his mind is remarkable clear and sound for one of his venerable age. He has been temperate and upright in his habits and is deservedly held in great respect. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and in politics clings to the Democratic party. Mr. Faust's first wife died in April, 1847. Of their six children three are living: Mary, wife of Thomas Serface of Piatt County, Ill; George B, a resident of Crawfordsville, and John M of Union Twp. August 14, 1848, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Crane, daughter of Simeon Crane, one of the pioneer teachers of Indiana. He settled south of the home of JL Davis at an early day and he and his wife reared a large family of children. Mrs. Faust departed this life in 1886, leaving one daughter, Sarah wife of James F. Keplinger. She is deceased.

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Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star, July 10, 1898 p 1

Aaron Faust, of New Market vicinity, was a caller at the office of the Sunday Star on Thursday. He is 90 years old and was born in Pennsylvania, coming west with his parents to Ohio in 1815. Before he reached the age of manhood he became a citizen of this county, he helped clear up the fine farm he now occupies near New Market. It is with profound pleasure that he tells of stalking deer through the heavy forests that covered the ground now occupied by Crawfordsville.

"I was down at the home of the venerable Jonathan Vancleave to see him the other day," said Mr. Faust, "and I found him well though he is older than I am perhaps. He told me that it was all a matter of imagination this thing of growing old and that he felt as young as he ever did and I think he will pass the 100 mark easy."

Mr. Faust came to town to spend the day with his grandson, John Faust, the plumber and he made a day of it.

Last winter a great grandson was anxious to know how men used to split rails and the family were suprised oe day to find th eold man out in the woods with a ross cut saw getting out rails. The little 10-year-old tot was steadying the saw and then the old man soon split out the rails to the great gratification of the child. Mr. Faust is by several years the oldest resident of his part of the county and this feat set the people down there talking at a great rate. He credits his health and longevity to the fact that he has lived a careful and prudent life and as a result he sleeps well and can eat anything he cares for.

"A good disposition and a determination to never get unduly angry has a lot to do with living a long while," he said to some one who asked his recipe for a long life. Mr. Faust reads with out the use of glasses and his hearing is scarcely impaired at all. He was a hard worker in his early life and he helped in the erection of nearly all the log houses and barns put up in the part of the township where he resides. Everyone hopes that the kindly old man will live far into the next century as he is a pleasure and a joy to all who have the honor his acquaintance. He is a type of grand old men who are growing rare indeed - typed by kbz

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