Biography of Silas J. H. Nugen, page 267. 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 Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Silas J. H. Nugen. Probably every farm owner and farmer in DeKalb County claims acquaintance with Silas H. Nugen, who for many years has been a leader in the agricultural community and the progressive affairs of farmers. Mr. Nugen's career has been one of self help, and progress from limited circumstances to a position of one of the leading farmers and land owners of the county. He was born in Jackson Township of DeKalb County February 2, 1857, a son of John and Rebecca (Hughes) Nugen. His father was a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, lived in Ohio, until after his marriage, and then came to DeKalb County and secured 160 acres in Jackson Township. His first home was a log cabin, and when that was replaced by a frame house a fire destroyed the building and he had to build over again. He was reared a Catholic but later became affiliated with the Methodist Church. He was a democrat in politics. John Nugen died about 1865, and was the father of six children. Silas H. Nugen, the only one of these children now living, grew up on the home farm in Jackson Township and was a small boy when his father died. At the age of fifteen he took upon himself the responsibilities of earning his way and worked out at monthly wages and also attended winter terms of school whenever possible. For three years he was employed by John Sheffer and then for about three years was with William Carr. Being thrifty and industrious he accumulated about $700, and with that capital he rented the Carr farm. He also bought an interest in a threshing outfit and operated it for two years. Mr. Nugen paid $1,300 for eighty acres covered with heavy timber, and as he cleared the land he sold the timber, and the cleared spaces into crops. September 1, 1885, he married Emma Bartels. At that time he moved to his present farm. Mrs. Nugen was born in Noble County, Indiana, but was living in Jackson Township at the time of her marriage. In connection with farming and clearing his land Mr. Nugen bought a threshing outfit and conducted it for thirteen years, rendering an important service to the grain growers of the county, Later he bought another eighty acres, and a the present time has 428 acres in DeKalb County. Along with the building up and management of his farming interests Mr. Nugen has again and again been called upon for public duties. He was elected and served firm years as township assessor and later filled the office of township trustee six years. He was one of the organizers of the Grange in Jackson Township and was its master. He is now manager of the Farmers Shipping Association at Auburn and is treasurer of the DeKalb County Federation of Farmers. He is affiliated with Auburn Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Nugen have seven children: Roy, Dorsey, John, Frank, Harold, Lelah and Hayes. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com