Biography of John W. Means, pages 659 / 660.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

John W. Means was born in Jackson Township, Oct. 23, 1850, a son of James 
and grandson of James  Means.  James Means, Sr., came from Richland County, 
Ohio, 1838, and settled on 160 acres of land on section 23, Jackson Township.  
He and his wife, Elizabeth Hall, were natives of Pennsylvania, but moved to 
Ohio after their marriage. Two sons, William and James, came to Indiana in 
1836 in company with Samuel Henderson, and eight, Eliza, Hugh, John, Peggy, 
Lewis, Mary Ann, Isabella and Andrew, came with their parents.  William and 
Hugh lost their lives in a well from the foul gases.  Eliza is the wife of 
Samuel Wasson, of Concord Township. John lives in Cass County, Mich.; Peggy 
married George Friend and died in Ohio; Lewis died in this county; Mary Ann 
is the wife of Frank Bailey, of Nebraska; Isabella married Hiram Petty, of 
Cass County, Iowa; Andrew lives in Red Cloud, Minn.  James Means, Sr., died 
in 1852.  His widow survived him many years, and died at the home of Samuel 
Wasson.  James Means, Jr. was born in Pennsylvania in 1811.  He was married 
in De Kalb County, March 14, 1839, to Isabella Watson, a native of Richland 
County, Ohio, born Feb. 15, 1821, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Watson, 
who came to De Kalb County in 1836.  To them were born six children---William; 
Elizabeth, wife of Willis Bishop; Mary and Mary Jane, both died in infancy; 
James, an infant deceased.  Mrs. Means died Sept. 22, 1868.  Mrs. Means 
resides on the old homestead with her son John W., on section 24.  This 
farm contains 160 acres of choice land, and is one of the best farms in 
the township.  John W. Means was married Aug. 1, 1869, to Rebecca C. Farver, 
a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born May 21, 1852, a daughter of Isaac 
and Mary Ann Farver. They have had seven children; but four are living---
Clara J., Ida Viola, Irene May, and Nettie.  Mary Belle, James W. and an 
infant un-named are deceased.

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