Jesse Dildine

    Jesse Dildine, who has been a resident of Blackford County for more than a half century, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, the date of his birth being April 7, 1830. When he was a lad of seven years his parents, Sampson and Sarah (Hilands) Dildine, came to Blackford County, and settled in Licking Township on a heavily timbered tract of land, on which not a stick had been cut, their land adjoining the present site of Hartford City.

    Here the subject of this sketch was reared amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life, his youth being spent in hard work, assisting his father clear and cultivate their farm. His education was received in the first schools taught in Blackford County, which were held in rude log cabins of the most primitive description. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a period of twenty years.

    He was married August 5, 1852, to Miss Amy Bolinger, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 29, 1836, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sunderland) Bolinger. They are the parents of seven children, named as follows: Mrs. Sarah E. Bugh, Mrs. Amanda Maria Ketchum James, Allen, Elnora, Eva May and Effie W.

    Mr. Dildine located on his present farm in Jackson Township, in 1879, where he has forty acres of valuable land, thirty acres being cleared and under a high state of cultivation. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. While a resident of Licking Township he served some time as constable. Mr. Dildine has witnessed the many wonderful changes which have transformed the surrounding country from a wilderness into its present prosperous condition, and in every enterprise for the advancement of his township or county he takes an active interest.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.