MOLER, Joseph - Putnam

One of the well known residents of Clinton Township is Joseph MOLER, who was born in Nicholas Co KY June 2, 1834.in 1853 he came to Indiana and has since made this state his place of abode. He is the son of John and Sarah Colliver Moler, the former born in Bourbon County, Kentucky in the same vicinity as his son, Joseph. His parents were PA Dutch who came to KY about 1790, his father Joseph Moler, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War.in 1853, John Moler and family came to Putnam County, Indiana locating in Clinton Twp on the land wehre Joseph Moler now resides. It was then only partly cleared and had a few rude buildings on it and here the elder Moler lived and died Nov 3, 1866 age 61 years having been born Nov 30, 1805. His wife died in 1856 at age 46. She was born in Montgomery County, Indiana in 1809 (sic doubt this is correct - KZ). Only one of their children was born in Indiana those to reach maturity were: Mary, who married Russell Allen of Greencastle and died in that city 1873 or 1874; Joseph of this review; Richard h, a farmer in Parke County, Indiana; Jeff T, who lives in Louisiana, Missouri; Susan E, who married RD Hamilton and died when in middle life; Levi who went to Missouri where he died; jemima, the wife of Mr. Hannah and living in Missouri; Presley C, a bachelor and living on the old homestead; Emma J, who married Caleb Bratton of Boone County, Indiana. Joseph Moler was 19 when he came to Indiana. He remained at home until he was 25 assisting in clearing the place. On November 1, 1859, he married Lucy P. Newgent, he being 25 and she 18; they had lived on adjoining farms for some time. A sketch of her father, Edward Newgent, appears elsewhere in this volume. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moler spent two years in Pulaski County, Indiana then moved back to Putnam on the farm of Mr. Moler's father, taking charge of part of it.in 1868 he rented and took charge of the entire farm of 240 acres. Later he bought the interests of others in the home place, owning 80 acres. He has made extensive improvements on his place, building a fine home in 1891, and he has good barns and devotes considerable time to stock raising, making grains also a specialty, feeding what grain the place produces. He has laid 250 rods of tile. He is very successful as a general farmer. Mr. Moler is an independent thinker and keeps well posted on political and current events. He is no partisan and always votes for the men whom he deems to be the best qualified for the offices sought. Three children have been born to Mr. and mrs. Moler, one of whom died when 10 years of age. Levi Shelby Moler is a farmer in Clinton Twp; he was candidate for nomination as county clerk in 1910. Stella May married J. N. Brown, a farmer of Woonsocket, SD. on November 1, 1909, was celebrated Mr. and Mrs. Moler's 50th wedding anniversary which was quite an event in the Moler family and greatly enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to be present. The only anniversary guest who was also present at their marriage was John Newgent, cousin of Mrs. Moler, he having enjoyed the celebration after a half century lapse fromt he nuptial day almost as much as the elder couple themselves. Rev. Joseph Skeeters, now deceased, performed the marriage ceremony. Fraternally Mr. Moler is a Mason and he takes a great interest in Masonry, endeavoring to live up to its wholesome teachings in his every day life.   --- transcribed by kbz