Ananiah Gifford was born in Tompkins County, Jan. 20, 1810. When he was seventeen
years of age his parents, Joshua
and Mercy Gifford, moved to Niagara County, N. Y., and in 1834 Huron County,
Ohio. He lived in Huron County till 1848
when he came to Steuben County and located on section 35, Scott township,
where he now lives. His parents accompanied him to this township and died
at his house, his mother Jan. 11, 1864, in the eighty-third year of her age,
and his father Feb. 22, 1869, in his ninety-first year. He was an only son
and it was to him that the duty and pleasure of caring for his parents in
their old age fell and most faithfully and lovingly did he fulfill the trust.
When Mr. Gifford came to Steuben County he bought 200 acres of land which
he cleared and improved. He has given forty acres to each of his sons, has
sold forty acres, and retains eighty acres where he resides. He was married
in Huron County, Ohio, June 18, 1843, to Jane Beard. To them have been born
five children, four of whom are living - Mrs. Henrietta Cole, of Angola;
Joshua, Lewis Charles and Ella May at home. Their fourth child, Margaret,
died at the age of five years. In his early life Mr. Gifford was a Whig,
but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party.
From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana
Page 640