From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 530

Thomas Mugg (deceased) was born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 26, 1797, and while young moved with his parents to Yates County, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and married Miss Eliza Ireland, with whom he removed to Ohio, returning thence to New York some two years later. In 1837 he again came West, this time to Steuben County, settling upon the farm since owned by his son, just west of Angola. In that early day Steuben County was a wilderness. Hundreds of native Indians occupied a portion of the farm as a camping ground, and the wolves made night hideous with their howls in the vicinity of the pioneer's log cabin; everything, in fact, presented a striking contrast to the marks of civilization and advancement now visible on every hand. Great as is the change which has wrought the wonderful transformation, we can but reflect that it is due to the enterprise, industry and energy of the pioneers, among whom the subject of this sketch and his worthy consort bore a conspicuous part. Mr. Mugg died April 16, 1879, in his eighty-second year. He was the father of ten children, only four of whom, three daughters and a son, survived his death. His first wife died in 1856. A year or two later he married a widow named Groves, who was his companion during the latter years of his life. Deacon Mugg, as he was universally called, had been a consistent member of the Free-Will Baptist church for a number of years, and as a kind neighbor and upright citizen had won the confidence and esteem of those who knew him. He had served the public as County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and in other offices of honor and trust.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com