John L. Anspaugh
Source: History of Northeast Indiana (1920) V.2, p.169

It is a good and honest record of farmers and capable citizens that bring the Anspaugh family frequently into the annals of Steuben County.  Several of the name have been given good accounts of themselves, including Mr. John L. Anspaugh, who grew up in Steuben County and for a number of years has been one of the chief farmers in the Crooked Lake district of Pleasant Township.

He was born in Williams County, Ohio, September 5, 1860.  His grandparents Jacob and Barbarba Anspaugh were natives of Pennsylvania and settled in Stark County, Ohio, in 1808 and moved to Williams County in 1844, where Jacob Anspaugh died in October 1857, and his wife in 1874.  John Anspaugh, father of John L., was born in Stark Co., Ohio and married Sarah Ann Cain, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1830.  John Anspaugh lived for several years in Williams County, Ohio and in March, 1870, settled in section 5 of Richland Township, Steuben County, where he acquired a good farm and where he did his duties as a private citizen and a worthy member of the community for many years.

John L. Anspaugh, who was 10 years old when the family came to Steuben County, finished his education in the district schools of Richland Township, and began farming in the township when a young man.  In 1880, he moved to pleasant Township and in 1892 became superintendent of the Steuben County Farm.  He held that office until he had rounded out a term of 20 years and 6 months and had made a record of administration entitled to the highest praise and commendation.  He left the county farm in 1912 and has since been identified with his own business interests in Pleasant Township.  In 1915, he built the home where he now lives on the banks of Crooked Lake.  For about 10 years, he owned seven cottages at Pebble Beach on Crooked Lake, and they were in regular demand during the summer seasons by resorters.  He sold this property March 15, 1919.  Mr. Anspaugh now owns about 100 acres in Pleasant Township, in section 8, on the north branch of Crooked Lake.  That is his home farm and he also has 160 acres in Section 31 of Millgrove Township.

All the property represents the steady accumulation of years of hard work, thrifty management and successful farming.

September 5, 1885, he married Cora B. Richardson, daughter of Henry Richardson, a well-known family of Pleasant Township spoken of more in detail on other pages.  Mr. and Mrs. Anspaugh have one son, Glen E., who is a graduate of the Tri-State Normal College at Angola and is now looking after one of his father’s farms.