Biography of  J. R. Skilling, pages  531/532. History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Among the citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, who today 
enjoy the unlimited respect and confidence of their fellow 
citizens, non has risen to a higher degree in the esteem of 
those who know him than J. R. Skilling, of Garrett. Mr. 
Skilling was born on August 19, 1840, in Richland county, 
Ohio, and in November, 1846, when but a little past six 
years old, he was brought by his parents to DeKalb county, 
locating in Richland township. At that early day but few 
settlers had located in that section of the county, and but 
little of the land had been cleared. In the winter of 1847 
Mr. Skilling attended school in the first school house 
erected in Richland township at Green's Corners, half a 
mile south of the present town of Sedan. This was a log 
building, heated by a big fireplace, which was constructed 
of log ore, a deposit of iron, which was located in the 
swamps of this locality, it being prior to the introduction 
of stoves in DeKalb county. At that time the qualification 
required of a school teacher was to be supplies with two 
pocket knives, a large jack knife, with which to cut whips 
in the woods to enforce discipline among  the larger boys, 
and a pen knife, with which to make goose quill pens for 
those who were learning penmanship. Mr. Skilling's family 
resided in DeKalb county from 1846 until March, 1854, when 
they moved to Noble county, where they resided until March 
1864, when they returned to DeKalb county, locating in 
Smithfield township. In 1862 the subject of this sketch 
went to  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and entered upon 
government work in the William Cramp & Son's ship yards, 
the largest concern in that line in the country. In June, 
1864, he returned to DeKalb county, but two years later he 
again went to Philadelphia, where he resided until 
September, 1875. He than came to DeKalb county, locating in 
the new town of Garrett, which had just been founded on the 
Baltimore & Ohio railroad line, and in January, 1876, Mr. 
Skilling was appointed marshal of the new town. In November 
of the same year he entered the service of the Baltimore & 
Ohio railroad company, with which he served in various 
positions, chiefly in the bridge and building department 
until May 6, 1912, when he received a serious injury, from 
the effects of which he has been confined to this home 
continuously since. Though suffering and comparatively 
helpless, Mr. Skilling remains cheerful and takes a deep 
interest in everything about him. He has for many years 
been a close student of local history and is well informed 
on current events relating to DeKalb county, being an 
authority in this line. Because of this splendid career, 
which was during his years of good health characterized by 
steady and persistent industry,  he earned the regard of 
all with whom he associated, as well as the confidence of 
the company by which he was employed, and to day no 
citizens of his community stand higher in the public 
esteem. October 19, 1873, the subject was married to Mary 
A. Kane, daughter of Bernard and Ann (Campbell) Kane. 
Bernard Kane lived in Philadelphia and was employed as 
engineer on the Chicago, Wilmington & Delaware railroad. He 
died while his wife was yet young. To the subject and wife 
have been born eight children: John K. is an inspector of 
accounts for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad system; James C. 
lives in Joplin, Missouri, and is employed by the Missouri 
Pacific railroad; Rose is deceased, Alice lives in Chicago; 
Joseph is an employee of the clerical department of 
Baltimore & Ohio railroad; Ann is at home; Mary lives in 
Fort Wayne, Bernadette is also at home.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com