ALMON H. TINKLEPAUGH
Source: 1880 Combined Atlas of Steuben County, IN p.53
To determine a man's success in life, it is essential to know very many things
concerning that life; but, perhaps, the most important of these essentials
may be comprehended by two classes, viz.: What effect his life has had on
the world; and, what effect it has had on himself. The ability to deal fairly
with both, to be neither too lavish nor too miserly, is what makes success
in life. In general, no man can be said to have succeeded in the world till
he has proved his ability to take care of himself, and has also shown a willingness
to lend a hand to the world at large, whenever it was needed. Perhaps, the
best school for true success in life is the school of poverty; or, if not
of actual want, yet of sufficient lack of means to teach the actual value
of money, and to inculcate those ideas of economy and industry so essential
to a man, wherever he may be. Among this class may be placed the subject
of this sketch, for commencing at the "foot of the ladder," he has worked
his way to a success in life worthy of comment. Mr. Tinklepaugh was born
in the state of Pennsylvania, July 17, 1834, being the son of Hiram and Margaret
English Tinklepaugh. In 1843, his father removed with his family to Indiana;
he purchased eighty acres of land on the line of La Grange and Steuben Counties,
and commenced farming on it, the subject of this sketch, at that time, being
only nine years of age. The childhood of Mr. Tinklepaugh being spent in
this way, and in a new country, his educational advantages were of very limited
character, though, by earnest effort, he acquired sufficient to transact
business well. At the age of eighteen, he left home with but hands and plenty
of pluck; having, learned the carpenter's trade of his father, he worked
at it most of the time until after his marriage, which took place November
28, 1856, in Sturgis, Mich., where he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary
L. Turner, daughter of Charles and Betsy Turner, who were natives of New
York State, and emigrated to La Grange County, Ind., in 1835. In 1857, a
short time after his marriage, he purchased forty acres of land and moved
on to it, remaining there about three years, when he purchased 200 acres,
on which he still lives, having though, sold off 100 acres of it since.
Mr. and Mrs. Tinklepaugh have had children as follows, eleven in number,
viz., Hiram, Omer, Virgil D. (deceased). Everett (deceased). Effie M., Hattie
V., Raymond (deceased), Schuyler, Cyrus (deceased), Sheridan, and Sherman
(deceased). At present, besides conducting his farm, he deals largely in
agricultural implements. He has a fine a dwelling place as may be found in
this part of the state, and is blessed with a wife and family well calculated
to make a happy home.