FIRESTONE, Isaac - Putnam

On Friday, the 8th, Uncle Isaac Firestone died of cancer of the face, making the third death in our village (Portland Mills) inside of 8 days. At this rate, if continued for ten months the town would be depopulated.  Mr. Firestone is one of Putnam County’s oldest pioneers. His exact age is hard to get at, but he must certainly have been from 90 to 95 years at death. He came from his native state, Pennsylvania, at an early date.  Anyhow he landed and went into camp on the ground about where the Bates House of Indianapolis now stands, and mowed the grass probably for the first time off of that spot, intending to locate here, as the land surrounding him could have been bought very cheap, but owing to the land being so flat and swampy, he concluded it an unhealthy section and moved on west and entered land in north Putnam County on Ramp Creek near the old mill, called Blakesburg.  The date of his settling in Putnam County, it is believed, was along about the 20s.  He afterwards went o Clinton Falls and started a tan yard where he lived for many years. About 47 years ago he moved to this place and built another tannery and lived an honest upright man having been a mem fothe Chrisstancruch for about 50 years.  He leaves an aged widow, 5 sons and 4 daughters, all of whom reside in Parke and Putnam county. - kbz

Portland Mills, Ind Feb 11 – Isaac Firestone, who has resided near here for 47 years died on the 8th inst of cancer of the face, aged probably about 90.  He came to Indiana from his native state, Pennsylvania, very early and camped for a time on the ground where Indianapolis now stands, and could have bought the land around him very cheap, but finally decided the location to be too flat and swampy for health. He drove on and located on the hills of Ramp Creek near Blakesburg, in Putnam County. Afterward he build a tannery and resided for many years at Clinton Falls.  About 47 or 48 years ago he moved his tannery to this place where he has since resided

transcribed by kbz

Isaac Firestone one of the old citizens of Putnam County died near Portland Mills on Feb 8, of cancer, aged 87 years; deceased came to Putnam County in about 1829; he leaves a widow, four daughter and five sons. - kbz