grocer, Florence, born in Virginia in 1802, is a son of Thomas and Lucy Land. His father died when he was about eight years old, and he remained with an uncle till about thirteen years of age, when he "ran off" and began for himself. He came down to Cincinnati when about fifteen years old, and a few years later went down the river, then returned in 1821, and has since resided in this county. He was married, in 1824, to Elizabeth Rayl, who died in 1866, leaving seven children: William, Livisa, Susanna, Thomas, Elijah, Lucinda and George W. Mrs. Land was the daughter of William Rayl, one of the early farmers here from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rayl was Lovisa Duskie. About 1826 Mr. Land bought fifty acres, and followed farming till 1858, when he built the mill elsewhere referred to, and operated it till about 1867. He bought a mill in Warsaw, and was there one year, then bought the Krutz Mill, which he ran till 1870, when he failed. Since that time has done a small grocery business. Served twenty years as justice of the peace, and is one of the old and esteemed citizens. Was nominated in 1834 for the Legislature, but refused to run. Mr. Land was married in the fall of 1866 to Mary J. McCreary, daughter of William McCreary, one of the old settlers of the county. Mr. L. is an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell