Graybill - Josephus - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The world in its onward rush is now taking time to look back, and the story of the pioneer is daily becoming of more absorbing interest. Western Indiana was for many years considered "out west" and its people, scarcely out of the woods, took little interest in those traditions relating to a condition of society but little removed from their own. Bat the grand march of civilization has pushed back the western frontier until instead of being in Indiana or skirting the Mississippi river, it now rests upon the shores of the Pacific and has made the northwestern territory the central link in a brilliant chain of states. This awakening to the true value of the early history of this part of the country comes in many respects too late. Most of the pioneers have been gathered to their fathers, and one by one the old landmarks have decayed and passed away with those who reared them, while that period is fast rolling on when none can truly say, "I remember them and their works." Thus, while we may, let us rescue from oblivion the simple facts in the lives of these sturdy men who were the heralds of civilization in our beloved County of Montgomery and by their sturdy energy and self-denying efforts made possible the condition of things which we today enjoy.

There is particular interest in writing of such a man as Josephus GRAYBILL, one of the prosperous farmers and stock men of the vicinity of Ladoga, for he is both a pioneer and a native son of Montgomery County, having lived to see 3/4 of a century of change here. Mr. Graybill was born on a farm in Scott Twp, west of Ladoga, this County on Sept 10, 1837. He is a son of Samuel and Lydia ARNOLD Graybill. The parents came from Botetourt Co, Va in 1834, making the long journey overland through the wilderness. They bought a farm in Scott Twp, Montgomery Co, 160 acres on which had been erected a primitive log cabin without nails and with no window pane, the chimney made of sticks and the roof boards were held in place by weight poles. Here these parents began keeping house, worked hard in clearing and developing the land on which they proposed to spend the rest of their days. There they reared their family. Through close application and good judgment Samuel Graybill prospered with advancing years and he became the owner of about 1000 acres of good land.

After giving land to his children he still had 400 acres left when he died. His family consisted of 9 children: six daughters and 3 sons only one of the girls is now living, Mrs. Amanda Hostetter of Ladoga. The 3 sons living are: William R, who resides NE of Ladoga; Josephus, of this sketch; and Samuel C. who lives west of Ladoga. The death of Samuel Graybill, the father occurred in 1876. His widow survived many years, nearly 30, in fact, dying in 1905 at the advanced age of 94. Joseph Graybill grew to manhood on his father's farm and being a pioneer child he found plenty of hard work to do when he was a boy. He received such education as the early schools of the County afforded. He remained on the home place until he was 21. He then went to farming for himself on a farm just East of Ladoga. In 1861 he married Mary Jane FRAME, which union resulted in the birth of 4 children: two of whom died in infancy and two are still living, Salome Alice, wife of Eugene ASHBY and Homer Graybill both of Ladoga. The wife and mother was called to her eternal rest on Sept 25, 1904 after nearly 43 years of harmonious married life. She was a good, kind woman and beloved by all who knew her. She was born just north of Ladoga and was the daughter of Samuel P. and Elizabeth HARSHBARGER Frame. Her people came from Kentucky and settled near Parkersburg, Indiana in an early day.

On November 30, 1905, Mr. Graybill married Elizabeth BROOKSHIRE SMALLEY, daughter of Swan Brookshire and widow of Alfred Smalley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Josephus Graybill farmed near Ladoga for a period of 43 years, during which time he made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser, the major portion of his competency was made by raising, feeding and marketing cattle. He is the owner of 1000 acres in Clark and Scott Twp. It is well improved and productive and lies well, and he has an excellent and convenient set of buildings. He is a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Ladoga. After his second marriage he left he farm and moved to his pleasant and modernly appointed home in Ladoga. Politically, Mrs. Graybill is a Democrat, but not especially active. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and in religious matters is a member of the Christian Church. -- typed by kbz

Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana. (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 462

Josephus GRAYBILL, farmer, and stock raiser, Ladoga, son of Samuel and Lydia (ARNOLD) Graybill, was b. in Scott Twp Sept 10, 1837. His principal educ. was hard work, industry, economy and honesty, and a few leisure days in the winter spent in attending the early subscription schools of his native township. Dec 12, 1861, he was marr. to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel P. FRAME. She was b. in this township Jan 27, 1846 and has become the mother of two children, Saloma A (or Duck, as she is more familiarly known) and Homer F. Mr. Graybill is now living one half mile E. of Ladoga, engaged in farming and general stock raising. He received 160 acres of land from his father to begin upon, but by an ever persistent energy, economy, and close attention to business, he is now the happy possessor of 560 acres of good farming land, under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the enterprising, wealthy and leading men of Clark Twp.