George A. Modlin

    A worthy representative of that pure-blooded American race whose forebears emigrated to the Middle West shortly after the Revolutionary War, and laid the foundations which have made this section of the country the seat of so much solid prosperity and the pivotal point of national life, is George A. Modlin, of Grant County, Indiana. Mr. Modlin is not only a very successful farmer but he has also served his fellow citizens in office, to his honor and their satisfaction. Progressive and practical in his views, he has handled his farm with great success, and is considered one of the best farmers in this section of the county. His personal popularity is good evidence of the conscientious way in which he has carried out the duties of the various offices of which he has been an incumbent.

    George A. Modlin was born in Liberty Township in Grant County, Indiana, on the 16th of April, 1863, a son of William and Jane (Benbow) Modlin. The Modlin family was founded in this part of the country during the earliest days of the Statehood of Indiana. George Modlin's great-grandfather, George Modlin, emigrated from North Carolina to what was at the time the Territory of Indiana. Upon his arrival in Wayne County, Indiana, he found that he had taken up his abode in a full fledged state, for Indiana was made a State just eleven days prior to his arrival, this being in December, 1816. After living in Wayne County for a number of years the old pioneer located in Henry County, Indiana, and there he lived until his death. His son, Dillon Modlin and the grandfather of George A. Modlin, was reared in Henry County, and came to Grant County in 1837. He first located in Liberty Township and later lived in Center Township for a time. He finally moved to Franklin Township, and here he died in 1897. William Modlin was born in Grant County and grew up on his father's farm. When he was of an age to support himself he began farming, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. With the exception of two years which he spent in Wisconsin, he lived all of his life in Grant County. He was a quiet and unassuming man, but one who was highly respected and thoroughly liked by all the citizens of the community in which he lived. Politically he was a member of the Republican party, casting his first vote for that party when Lincoln was nominated for his first term, and continuing to stand by the party until his death, which occurred on the 8th of August, 1897.

    Jane Benbow Modlin, his wife, is also of that strong and courageous stock that peopled the States of Virginia and North Carolina when they were British Colonies. Her maternal grandfather, whose name was Isaac Elliot, emigrated from these Eastern States early in the history of the western tide of emigration, and he entered the land upon which the National Military Soldiers' Home is now located. Five children were born to William and Jane Modlin, as follows:

1. George A.

2. Willis O., who is a farmer of Jefferson Township.

3. Lillian M., who married Mell T. Pilcher, of Marion, Indiana.

4. Myrtle, who is the wife of J. E. McMullen, who is the Professor of Literature at Muncie College, at Muncie, Indiana.

5. Edgar C., who is engaged in the printing business in Marion.

    George A. Modlin, the eldest of his parents' children, spent his boyhood on his father's farm, first in Liberty Township and later in Franklin Township. He attended the public school, but ambitious for further education he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he attended the State Normal School. After leaving school he taught for a time in Grant County, Indiana, and then took a course in the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. After his he taught school for one winter and then came his entrance into public life.

    It was in the spring of 1890 that Mr. Modlin was appointed Deputy Clerk of Grant County and about a year and a half later he was made Deputy Auditor, serving under George A. Osborne. He served throughout the term of the latter and also through that of his successor, John Wilson, completing eight years in the office of Deputy Auditor. In the fall of 1898, he was himself elected Auditor and served until December 31, 1903, a period of four years and two months. After he retired from public office he returned to the farm, and two years later he moved to the farm where he now resides. This farm, which is known as the Villa View Farm, is located at the intersection of the Marion, Roseberg and Range Line, and of the Range Line of the Tree Gravel Road, just on the boundary line between Sims and Franklin Townships. This place is ten miles southwest of Marion and  two miles east of Swayzee, Indiana, and consists of two hundred and forty acres. Two hundred acres of this property lies in Franklin Township and forty acres in Sims Township. Mr. Modlin has two hundred and thirty-two acres under cultivation and eight acres is well drained woodland. He has built a ten roomed house on the property, which is a most attractive home with all the modern conveniences. Commodious barns and all the improvements of an up-to-date farm make the prosperity of Villa View Farm apparent. Mr. Modlin is a general farmer and also raises fine stock.

    In politics Mr. Modlin is a member of the Republican party and he has been active in politics. In the fraternal world he is a member f the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliating with Mississinewa Lodge, No. 96.

    Mr. Modlin was married on the 25th of June, 1902, to Miss Lucy Willcuts, a daughter of Clarkson Willcuts. Mrs. Modlin was reared in Center and Franklin Townships and received her education in the public schools of Franklin Township. Two children have been born to this union: Louis G., who is a graduate of both the grammar and high schools of Marion, and Walter W., who is now a student in the Marion Public School. Mrs. Modlin is a member of  the Friends Church in Marion.

Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.