Andrew Quackenbush

    Andrew Quackenbush, farmer, Section 2, Licking Township, is one of the leading citizens of the county, where he has lived thirty-two years. He was born in Chatham County, North Carolina, November 26, 1821, a son of John and Mary  (Lewis) Quackenbush, natives also of North Carolina.

    When he was about six months old his parents moved to Marion County, Indiana, where the father died the same year. His mother died in Wayne County in 1836. He grew to manhood in Wayne County, Indiana, spending his early life on a  farm. When he was thirteen years old he began to learn the trade of a wheelwright, at which he worked some years, and then for several years manufactured plows and chairs. Being a natural mechanic and a good workman in wood, he was able to turn his attention to any of these trades.

    He lived in Wayne County until the fall of 1855, when he moved to Blackford County, Indiana, his first location being on the farm where he now lives, buying it of George Strong, who had cleared about twenty-five acres, and had built a log cabin. He now has his 120 acres all cleared and well improved, and has about 400 rods of tile draining on his farm. The log cabin has given place to a neat story and a half cottage, and his barn, which is 42 x 48 feet in size, and other buildings, are among the best in the township.

    Mr. Quackenbush was married November 2, 1843, to Charity E. Potter, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Platt) Potter. To them were born four children -Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Charles Haines; Elwood, Washington S. and Ruth Ann. Mrs. Quackenbush died May 4, 1884.

    In September, 1884, Mr. Quackenbush married Mrs. Cornelia Cox, widow of Zimri Cox, and daughter of Daniel and Amy (Otwell) Jackson. Mrs. Quackenbush was born in South Carolina, and when a year old her parents moved to Wayne County, Indiana, where she married Zimri Cox by whom she had five children -Laurinda M., Margaret Ellen, Daniel Charles, William B. and Atta May.

    In politics Mr. Quackenbush has been a Republican since the organization of that party, prior to that being a Whig. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church forty years, his family all being members of the same church.

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