Harry Bales was born February 23, 1867, on the farm where he still resides, in Vermillion County, Indiana and is a son of Caleb and Mary (Jordan) Bales, both natives of Indiana, the father born in Helt township, and here devoted his life successfully to farming and died here on May 12, 1901. The mother's death occurred in 1872. They were the parents of two children, Harry and E.C. who is connected with him in farming.
Harry Bales grew to manhood on the home place and there began working when but a boy. He received a good common school education in the neighboring schools and at the Dana high school. On September 19, 1893, he was united in marriage to Tott Crane, who was born January 14, 1867 in Helt. She is the daughter of Stephen and Mariam Crane, a highly respected family of Helt township. To the subject and wife one child has been born, Mariam, whose birth occurred on January 22, 1900.
Mr. Bales began farming for himself early in life and has always followed this line of endeavor. He and his brother are now owners of three hundred and six acres of finely improved and productive land, nearly all tillable but about sixty acres, and is fairly well tiled,most of the present improvements having been made by the subject, except the residence, which was built by his father. General farming, together with stock raising, is carried on extensively and most successfully, everything about the place denoting good management.
Fraternally, Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias at Dana, and in his church relations he is a Methodist. Politically, Mr. Bales has for some time been active in the ranks of the Republican party. He was appointed county commissioner in May 1911, succeeding Mr. Davis, deceased, and this position he has filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned."