THOMAS W. QUACKENBUSH, of Ossian, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, June 11, 1817, a son of William W. and Mary (Allen) Quackenbush, who were the parents of eight children, of whom Thomas W. was the eldest. The family removed to Orleans County, thence to Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1837. In that county, June 18, our subject was married to Phoebe Hudson, daughter of William H. Hudson. Eight years later, and after the birth of four children and the death of two, Thomas, with his family, consisting of wife and two children, Mary J. and Rachel, came to Wells County in company with Joseph Gorrell, John Glass and James Barkley. All made a location in this county September 18, 1845. John Glass married Margaret Hatfield. The ground was covered with snow before Mr. Quackenbush had his cabin ready for occupancy. The family moved in before the doors were made. Blankets shut out the biting wind, but could not drown the mournful howl of the hungry wolves that prowled about the forests, yet feared to make an attack upon either man or beast. Mr. Quackenbush purchased sixty acres of land of James Glass, on credit, and began its improvement without money, and no aid except his strong arm and trusty ax. After clearing twenty acres he sold the sixty-acre tract and entered eighty acres upon the reserve, which he had earned enough money to pay for. Another log cabin was built, and Thomas made a second beginning in the way of starting a home in Wells County. This time there was a double incentive, for his land was paid for, and he had a patent from the Government, bearing the signature of President Zachary Taylor. Day by day the stroke of the pioneer’s ax was heard until he had a score of acres cleared. Later, he exchanged this land for an interest in a saw-mill in Van Wert County, Ohio, but after remaining there two years, sold out and returned to Wells County, where he purchased another tract of land. Other purchases were made and exchanges followed, until Mr. Quackenbush found himself a resident of Milford, Kosciusko County, where he remained in business five years to a day. His property was then disposed of and he returned to this county, where a permanent location was made at Ossian, in 1880. The same month he purchased a stock of groceries, and for two years conducted a bakery, confectionery and grocery store. His new store building was completed in 1882, since which time his goods have occupied the new store. Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush have had eight children, five of whom are deceased—Mary J. is the wife of Joseph Hurry; Rachel married George Cox; Emeline became the wife of John Mossy, and Clark married Mary M. Green. He has fifteen grandchildren. Mrs. Quackenbush died in September, 1864. For a second wife, our subject married Mrs. Mary A. Ormsby, of this county, whose husband, Joseph Ormsby, was a brother to the present county clerk, J. H. Ormsby. One child was born to this union, which died in infancy. Mr. Quackenbush served as constable fourteen years. He commenced life with no fortune except a strong arm and a wealth of muscle, but by energy, frugality and honesty has secured a competency for his old age, besides rearing and educating his large family of children.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 724-725.

Amos Quick, an enterprising and progressive agriculturalist of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1835, a son of James and Jane (Thurston) Quick. When he was two years old his mother died, after which his father came with his family to Indiana and settled in Franklin County, where he resided eight years, moving thence to Madison County. Amos remained with his father until 1852, when he came to Wells County with his brother, who settled in Lancaster Township. He made his home with his brother until reaching his majority, when he purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land on Section 36 of Rock Creek Township, which he at once began clearing and improving. February 13, 1859, he was married to Miss Rachel E. Bay, a native of Wells County, and a daughter of William and Rebecca (Miller) Bay, who were pioneers of this county, coming here from Ohio in an early day. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quick, named James W. and John H. Mr. Quick has converted his land into a well improved and highly cultivated farm, and since 1856 has devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 908.

JOHN W. QUICK, one of the early settlers of Lancaster Township, residing on section 31, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Northumberland County, in January, 1821, a son of James and Jane Quick, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The mother died on the old homestead in Pennsylvania about fifty years ago, and the father died not many years ago at the home of his son Levi, in Missouri. Of their eight children who grew to maturity John W., our subject, was the eldest. Three sons and one daughter are still living. The youth of our subject was spent in working on the old homestead in his native State, attending the subscription school as opportunity afforded. When seventeen years old he went with his father's family to Franklin County, Indiana, and one year later removed to Henry County, and after remaining there one year the family located in Fayette County. There our subject helped his father to clear a farm in the wilderness, when he left the home roof and began working for himself. He was married in Union County, August 22, 1847, to Miss Cordelia Beeler, who was reared in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Quick lived in Madison County, Indiana, a few years, clearing a farm from the wilderness, which they sold, and came to Wells County, settling on their farm on section 31, Lancaster Township, in November, 1854. That year he occupied a log cabin, and the following year he settled in a more commodious log house on the site of his present fine residence, which was erected in 1873, and is one of the best in his neighborhood. February 23, 1863, his wife, who had helped him to build two pioneer homes, died. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church from her youth, and always lived a practical Christian life in all her relations as wife, mother and neighbor. She left three children-Julia E., wife of Robert Reynolds; Emma R., living in Kansas, is the widow of E. A. Pattison, and Anna E., wife of Bruce W. Shoemaker. For his second wife Mr. Quick married Miss Nancy Reasor, in October, 1866. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 18, 1838, a daughter of John and Sarah Reasor, who came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1854, and are now living in Nottingham Township. By his second marriage Mr. Quick has six children-Clara May, Ina V., Lina B., Charles C., John F. and James. Both Mr. and Mrs. Quick are members of the Baptist church. In early days Mr. Quick was a Whig in his political affiliations, later a Republican, but during the past few years be has been a pronounced Prohibitionist. As a citizen Mr. Quick is highly respected. Honorable and upright in all business transactions, kindly in intercourse with all, he is held in high esteem by all who know him. His home is provided with all the necessary comforts of life, the result of a life of frugality and industry.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 658-659.