Ham - Patrick
Source: Crawfordsville Star, March 11, 1897 p 5
"Alamo News" -- Iven Titus and wife were called to Wingate Friday on the account of the death of their brother-in-law, Patrick Ham, one of the oldest pioneers of Montgomery County. He died Monday night. The funeral was held at this place Wednesday at 10 o'clock a.m. Interment at Alamo Cemetery. - transcribed by kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 12 March 1897
One by one the grim reaper gathers the ripened sheaves of life. At the advanced age of nearly 82 years, Patrick Ham departed this life on Monday night.
When a boy of seven years his father removed from Ohio to this state and settled on the famous “Sixteen Bottom” in 1822. With Mr. Ham’s death there has probably disappeared from this county the last citizen who was personally acquainted with William Offield.
The funeral services occurred at the residence on Wednesday, conducted by A. P. White. Interment was at Alamo Cemetery.
Mr. Ham was said to be one of the greatest rail splitters in Montgomery County.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 19 March 1897
The Dreamland scribe probably does not understand the item published in The Journal of two weeks ago about Patrick Ham, now dead, but living when the letter was written. He was the oldest settler of Montgomery County before his death. He settled on the famous “16 bottom” in 1822 on the Offiel Creek, having lived in this county for 75 years. He may not be the oldest man, but the oldest settler. There were only three families in this county when he removed from Kentucky. They were William Offiel, Prentiss Mitchell and Mr. Cowan.
Patrick Ham was born in Kentucky in 1815 and died the 8th of March, 1897, of paralysis. Though his sufferings were great, he bore them without a murmur. He was married to Anna Patterson in 1839, and to this union six children were born, of whom three are still living. Uncle Patrick, as he was generally called, was an honest and respected citizen, to his children he was always kind and loving, to his neighbors he was always ready to lend a helping hand. Thus we would say to the heartbroken family, mourn not, for he has gone where there is no sickness or pain, but where all is peace and love.