Biography of Ross H. Abel, page 377. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920. Ross H. Abel is the present trustee of Newville Township in DeKalb County. He is a man eminently qualified for the duties of this responsible office, to which is entrusted the management and welfare of the local schools and many other matters of direct concern to every resident of the township. Mr. Abel has been one of the prominent educators in Stark County for many years, has lived in the southern part of DeKalb County all his life, and is also identified with its rural interests as a farmer. This is one of the oldest families of old Concord Township. His grandfather, George H. Abel, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 21, 1808, the son of Damon and Sallie (Root) Abel. In 1828 he married Electa Hadsell, who was born in New York State. After his marriage he followed farming in Ohio until September, 1836, when he came to Indiana and entered 160 acres in Concord Township. He cleared up most of this land and lived an active and useful life there until his death on May 10, 1874, being survived by his widow a number of years. They had a family of ten children, and several of the sons made honorable records as soldiers in the Union army. Walter M. Abel, a son of George H. Abel, was born in Concord Township, August 27, 1846, and served two years in the Civil war. Later he was one time commander of his Grand Army Post, was a loyal republican in politics, and spent his business energies largely as a farmer. He died September 15, 1917. Walter Abel married Anna E. Nelson, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March 30, 1853, came to DeKalb County when a girl, and is still living. She is a member of the Wesley Chapel of the Methodist Church. Walter Abel and wife had two children. The older is Lulu M., wife of Philip Carper of Jackson Township. Ross H. Abel was born in Concord Township, January 29, 1880, and lived at home attending district school at Spencerville and St. Joe, and afterward took normal and special courses in the Tri State College at Angola and at Valparaiso. Mr. Abel has been a teacher in DeKalb County for eighteen years. He and his mother live together, and for a number of years he has had the practical operation of the ninety-five acres in the home farm. Mr. Abel was elected trustee of Newville Township November 5, 1918. He has been quite active as a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com