Luse - Jacob
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain County,
Indiana p 395
Jacob Luse, a prominent citizen and prosperous farmer of
Coal Creek Twp, Montgomery County, Indiana and also connected with the
Farmers' and Merchants' bank of Wingate, richly deserves the success he has
attained in life. Self-dependent from early youth, Mr. Luse won his way
steadily upward, never allowing disappointment or disasters to overcome his
cheerful energy and business courage. Losses by devastating fires and the
various trying experiences that are common to all agriculturists he has
borne with steady patience and a determination to override all obstacles and
by honest labor gain a certain livelihood. The parents of Mr. Luse were
natives of Pennsylvania and were undoubtedly of German descent. Jacob and
Elizabeth Shade Luse the father and mother were not destined to rear a large
family as had their ancestors before them. Jacob Luse was their only child,
the father dying when his little son was but six months old. Left to the
care of his mother's people, Jacob knew but little of his father's early
history. Born in Cumberland County, Pa. in 1818, he was but a young boy
when he began his apprenticeship to a trade and was obliged to serve 7 long
years before he was free to engage in business for himself. In 1832 the
orphan boy found his way to Ohio and located in Piqua, where he remained
four busy years. Mr. Luse then journeyed to Michigan City but he soon
determined to look elsewhere for a permanent home and business. he traveled
on foot, waded sloughs and finally settled in Attica, Fountain County where
he engaged in the manufacture of chairs and bedsteads. This was his first
business venture, and meeting with fair success he continued in the same
employment until 1846, when having by prudent management secured a small
capital, he decided to forsake manufacturing for agricultural pursuits.
Benton Co. was Mr. Luse's next home and there upon a farm, for the
succeeding 4 years, he diligently planted seed and reaped the harvest. He
made many friends in this location and was elected Supervisor and filled the
official position with ability and faithfulness. But preferring to pay a
fine rather than neglect his business and serve a second time, he refused to
accept the office upon reelection. Upon leaving Benton County, Mr. Luse
came directly to his present home and settled permanently. The farm of 160
acres was not then in its present state of cultivation. Most of it was
unimproved but intelligent work has wrought a satisfactory change. Mr.
Luse was married in 1845 to Miss Charlotte Martin, daughter of Ephraim
Martin, a native of Ohio. She was born July 16, 1821. 10 children were the
fruit of this union, six sons and four daughters, and all were welcome to
the loving care and shelter of the home. These children were: Rhoda; Ephraim
(deceased); Linda; Amos; John (deceased); Hattie; Albert; George (deceased);
Estelle and William L (deceased). Mr. Luse is essentially a self-made man.
He bravely fought the battle of life alone and unaided by influence of
friends or fortune. But it has been the happiness of his later life to
assist his children to homes and business. Mr. and Mrs. Luse and their
family have enjoyed the confidence of friends and neighbors and have a wide
circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Luse departed this life July 27, 1891. They
are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are always
identified with its religious and social work. Our subject, although not a
politician is a strong Republican and a warm defender of party principles. - typed by kbz