From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 639

John K. Folck is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 30, 1823. When he was four years of age his parents, Abram and Hannah Folck, moved to Knox County, Ohio, and thence to Morrow County, where he was reared. In 1841 he came to Steuben County, with a view of making it his place of residence. He made the journey alone and on foot, but returned to Ohio and in 1845 came again to the county and selected a tract of land and girdled the trees for future clearing. In 1847 he moved to the county and settled on the land where he now lives on section 11, Scott Township. His farm contains 160 acres of valuable land. The brick schoolhouse of District No. 1 is located on the southwest corner of his land. Mr. Folck was married in 1843 in Morrow County, Ohio, to Margaret Valentine, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio. She died in 1859, aged thirty-six years, leaving five daughters, all now married-- Mrs. Sarah L. Weiss, Mrs. Hattie E. Myers, Mrs. Ann E. Dygert, Mrs. Mary A Henny, Mrs. Rosa T. Fulmer. In 1860 Mr. Folck married Mrs. Martha Rathbun, daughter of Samuel Nichols. One son was born to them--Fremont. Mrs. Folck died in 1863, aged thrity-five years. In 1870 he was married to Mrs. Louisa Headley, widow of Daniel Headley, an early settler of Steuben County. Mr. Folck has always been a prominent citizen of Scott Township, active in promoting its material interests. He has served as Assessor twice and once as Appraiser under the old system. He cleared the farm with his own hands, and has made it one of the best farms in Scott Township. In politics he was an old Abolitionist and now is a Republican. In religion he is liberal, believing in all good work, and has never used either whisky or tobacco.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com