From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 687-688

David L. Phenicie is a native of Pleasant Township, Steuben Co., Ind., born April 17, 1839. His Father, David Phenicie, was born in Bedford County, Pa., Oct. 11, 1797. He married Rebecca Pitman who died Aug. 1, 1823. Their only child died in infancy. He afterward married Mary Jenkins, who was born Feb. 1, 1803. To them were born six children, four of whom are living -- Susanna, wife of Myron C. Holcomb; Jane, wife of A. E. Farnham; David L.; Mary E., wife of M. G. Miller. All save David L. live in Olathe, Johnson Co., Kas. In 1832 David Phenicie moved to Wood County, Ohio, and in 1836 to Steuben County, Ind., and settled in the southern part of Pleasant Township. He rolled up the logs for a cabin and covered it with marsh hay. His brother Daniel came with him and was the first man to drive a wagon and team between Fremont and Angola. Their milling was done at Union Mills, Lagrange County, and their marketing at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich. In 1853 he purchased land in Fremont Township, where John W. Noyes now lives. He died in Kinderhook, Branch Co., Mich., Sept. 23, 1869. Mrs. Phenicie died Sept. 18, 1876. They were members of the Baptist church. In politics he was an old-line Whig and anti-slavery man, and subsequently a Republican. In 1844 he cut his knee and through the mismanagement of the surgeon lost his leg, and he was obliged to give up farming. David L. Phenicie was reared in his native county, growing to manhood among the pioneers. His early education was obtained in the log-cabin schools, but after moving to Fremont he had better privileges. In 1857 - '58 he attended Hillsdale College, and in 1859 Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Indianapolis, from which he graduated the following autumn. He was married Nov. 14, 1867, to Eliza A. Nichols, daughter of Henry and Harriet Nichols. They have had four children -- Jesse L., born Feb. 20, 1869; Ella M., Sept. 12, 1874; Ernest G., Aug. 30, 1876, died April 4, 1881; Irvin G., born May 3, 1879. In politics Mr. Phenicie is a stanch Republican. In 1859 he bought a farm in Kinderhook, Mich., where he lived till 1882 when he moved to Fremont. His farm contains 280 acres of valuable land. Mrs. Phenicie's father was a native of Vermont, and when a young man left his native State and went to Erie County, Ohio, where he taught school. Subsequently went to Sandusky County, and there married Harriet Bemis. They had a family of six children, five of whom are living -- Abbie, wife of Charles S. Ritchie, of Kinderhook; Henry B., of Seneca, Kas.; I. J., of Kansas; Eliza A., wife of D. L. Phenicie; George D., of Clyde, Ohio. Mr. Nichols died Feb. 8, 1882. Mrs. Nichols is living with her son George, at Clyde. He was a member of the society of Friends and she of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com