HANSELL, Jonathan - Putnam

Jonathan HANSELL. From an old industrious family that has enjoyed a most excellent reputation wherever its members have lived comes Jonathan Hansell, one of the best farmers of his township and a man who is deserving of the success he has achieved because he has worked for it along right lines and prefered to "eat bread by the sweat of his brow" rather than try to win fortune by unscrupulous or questionable methods. He was born in Floyd Township, Putnam County, Dec 3, 1859, the son of George Hansell, who was born in Frederick County Virginia April 29, 1813 and he came to Putnam County in 1839. He was the son of John and Hannah (Adams) Hansell. On September 15, 1836, George Hansell married Mary A, daughter of Elijah C and Elizabeth Wilkinson, born Feb 18, 1817 in Highland County, Ohio and this union results in the birth of 13 children, 8 of whom are living: Juretta is deceased; John W who was a soldier in the Union Army, a member of the 27th Reg, Ind Vol. Inf was killed at the battle of Antietam; David is living at Lena, Indiana; Elijah C is living in Pulaski County, this stae; Rachael Maria lives in Greencastle; Hannah L, lives in Kansas; Elizabeth Ann is deceased; Mary Ellen of Iowa; George W is deceased; Rebecca is living in this County; Jonathan of this review; Jehu is a contractor in Arkansas city, Kansas the two latter being twins. Mrs. Hansell died March 17, 1901. George Hansell is a Republican but he is not interested in political offices. He is a strong Methodist and devout Christian. He died at age 70 years 4 months at the old homestead on Sept 11, 1883 on the land he purchased when he first came to this state from Hillbury, Ohio of which state his wife was a native. He has devote dhis entire life to farming and has been very well repaid for his long years of hard toil. Jonathan Hansell received a very good education in the public schools. He grew up on the home farm in this township and has devoted his attention to farming. When he was 30 he bought 30 acres of land, and being a hard worker he has been able to add to his original purchase until he now owns an excellent farm of 120 acres which is well improved and well tilled. He has erected here a modern, commodious and desirably located dwelling which was built in 1899. No farm in section 21 is better adapted for the carrying on of general farming and stock raising at which he is equally successful. Mr. Hansell was first married on August 3, 1887 to Ollie A. WRIGHT, daughter of Marion and Amanda CHATHAM Wright, of old pioneer stock. Two children were born: Gracie born May 31, 1888 married Earl Smith who is a mail carrier at Greencastle; Blanche B was born March 23, 1892 and is living at home, attending high school in Floyd Township. The mother of these children passed away Oct 23, 1899 and on March 20, 1902 Mr. Hansell married Clora A. WISE, daughter of Isaac and Regina NEWMAN Wise, of Hendricks Co. Four children have been born to them: Jonathan Maynard, born April 1, 1903; Isa A. born Sept 29, 1904; Lema B, born Aug 4, 1906; Isaac Ward, born June 14, 1908. Mr. Hansell is a handy man with tools and is something of a builder, having planned his own home and burn and worked on the local church. He is a skilled stone mason. He has never aspired to any of the County offices, and he is in favor of prohibition. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge no. 373 at Bainbridge, having been a Knight for the past 15 years and he has held all the offices in the local organization, being one of the best known members of this order in the County.