From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 719-720

Perry Stayner was born in Richland County, Ohio, in Februaruy, 1829. May 16, 1831, his father, John, and his uncle, Jacob Stayner, came to Steuben County with their families. They were strong, hearty men. Both had been soldiers in the war of 1812 under General Jackson. They came to this county with ox teams and lived in their wagons till they had got enough ground broken to put in their crops. They then built their cabins, John on the north side of Jackson Prairie and Jacob on the south. Jacob Stayner died Jan. 7, 1843, and his three sons, imbued with the same spirit that induced their father to undergo the hardships of pioneer life, subsequently settled in the West, Jacob, Jr., and William in California, and Jesse in Utah. John Stayner reared a large family, and lived to see them comfortably settled around him. He died Sept. 5, 1870, and his wife two years later. He was a Jackson Democrat and at one time represented his district in the Indiana Legislature. He named his township in honor of General Jackson. He and Adolphus Town built the first school-house in the township, on the north side of the prairie, of tamarack poles; cost about $50. The first County Clerk's office was in his house and the first election was held in his dooryard, he being one of the Judges of Election. Perry Stayner now owns and occupies the homestead. The house, which is one of the oldest frames in the township, and probably the oldest occupied by a family, was built in 1841. He married Jane Powers, a native of Allegany County, N. Y., born in 1835, daughter of Stephen Powers, who come to Steuben County in 1837, and was among the early settlers of York Township. Mr. and Mrs. Stayner have had six children, but two of whom are living -- Oliver, born Oct. 29, 1862, and Lydia, born Aug. 28, 1866. The three eldest and the youngest are deceased -- Mary, died aged a year and a half; Martha, aged six and a half years; Cordelia, aged three years and Jennette in infancy.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com