Biography of Joseph Abright, pages 836 / 837.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Joseph Abright, watchmaker and jeweler, Auburn, Ind., is a native of Ohio, 
born in West Rushville, Oct. 6, 1838, a son of David and Jane (Thompson) 
Abright.  When fourteen years of age he went to Chillicothe and served four 
years as an apprentice at the watchmaker’s trade; then worked in the same 
establishment as foreman four years, and in 1860 went to Greencastle, Ind., 
and in the spring of 1861 to Lancaster. Ohio, where April 5, 1861, he 
enlisted in the Seventeenth Ohio Infantry for three months.  After his term 
of service expired, Aug. 18, he again enlisted in the Forty-sixth Ohio 
Infantry for three years and when the call was made by the President to re-
enlist veterans, responded Oct. 29, 1863.  He was mustered in as Orderly 
Sergeant.  Jan. 1, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and soon after 
the Adjutant of the regiment.  He served four years, three months and 
fourteen days, and was never away from his regiment for any cause.  He 
participated in some of the most important battles of the war, among them 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Atlanta campaign, and 
was with Sherman on his march to the sea, being in twenty-eight engagements.  
He was wounded twice, but not severely.  He was present at Johnston’s 
surrender to General Sherman in April, 1865.  He was mustered out at Camp 
Chase, Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1865.  He soon after went to St. Paul, 
Minn., and remained till 1867. Then returned to Ohio and worked a year in 
Circleville, and in September, 1868, came to Auburn and established his 
present place of business, where he has built up a good trade.  Mr. Abright 
was married Oct. 1, 1867, to Louisa McFee, of West Rushville, Ohio.  They 
have one daughter---Maud.  He is a member of De Kalb Lodge, No. 214, F.& 
A.M.  He has served three years as Treasurer of Auburn, and has given 
perfect satisfaction to his constituents.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com