Daniel P. Closser Biography

contributed to this site by George Parker
at   twotexansil@earthlink.net

Source: Pictorial and Biographical Records Of La Porte, etal, Indiana

Daniel P. Closser, son of the above (Nicholas W.) , was brought to LaPorte County when about two months old and fortunately received a good education in the public schools and in Franklin College. Having been brought up to the occupation of farming, he returned to that occupation after finishing his education and remained with and assisted his father until he attained his majority. He then determined to "try his wings," went to Des Moines, Iowa, and opened a general mercantile store in the vicinity of that city, for an uncle, which he conducted for one year. He then returned to LaPorte County, Indiana, and united his fortunes with those of Miss Margaret A. McCormick, a daughter of Thomas and Theodocia McCormick, early settlers of that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Closser the following children have been given: Sarah P., wife of Ed. Michael, of LaPorte; Clarence Edwin, who is in the drug business. and is married to Alice, daughter of Dr. W. W. Wilcox; Charles Lincoln, who is a farmer of LaPorte County and is married to Susan Ladd; Hattie D.; Clara Belle, who died in infancy; William H., a member of the firm of Closser Bros.; Rose Abbie, married Fred N. Schultz, of Elkhart, Indiana; Louis F., married Lura D., daughter of William A. Banks, and Maggie M., who resides in LaPorte with her sister, Sarah.

After his marriage Daniel P. Closser purchased a steam sawmill, but at the age of twenty-four found himself in debt $2,400, and in 1860 he disposed of his mill and purchased a farm of his uncle, Branson Parker, amounting to eighty acres. This farm he cleared and in connection with this work operated a sawmill belonging to William Maderas, his work being done entirely at night throughout one winter. In 1867 he disposed of his farm at $40 per acre, after which he became traveling salesman for the M. & J. Rumely Company for several years. He purchased the farm in 1867, upon which he resided until 1885, which is a well-improved place and is conducted in an intelligent and successful manner In 1885 he moved to Kingsbury and engaged in dealing in grain and livestock. On May 2, 1886, God suddenly called to her reward his beloved companion, Margaret A. In the full vigor of womanhood she was stricken down with apoplexy, and in two hours was at rest.

This loss proved the most severe stroke of his life, as their marriage had been a very happy one. On October 25, 1888. he was joined in marriage to Susan Adell, daughter of Major Atkin, of Crown Point, and now resides in Kingsbury, close to his farms and surrounded by all his children but the one daughter, who lives at Elkhart. He has made a success of every enterprise to which he has given his attention, and as a traveling salesman was particularly successful. He is a Republican in politics and has served in the capacity of Township Constable and Trustee. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is Superintendent of the Cemetery Association and has twice been President of the Pioneer Association. He assisted in laying the corner stone of the new Courthouse and has been active in all the affairs of the county, and at this writing is improving and building two houses in Kingsbury, and clearing land on one of his farms. He is firm in the belief of Solomon who says, "I once was young and now I am old, and I never have seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread."

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Attended Franklin College. . After finishing his education, he worked with his father on the family farm near Door Prairie.
Then he went to Des Moines and opened a general store which he ran for two years, returning then to La Porte. After his marriage, he purchased a steam saw mill which he ran for two or three years, then returning to farming until 1867 when he became a salesman for the M. Rumely Co. for several years.

1880 Census Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace D. P. CLOSSER Self M Male W 46 IN Farmer PA OH
Marget A. CLOSSER Wife M Female W 42 PA Keeping House PA NJ
Chas. CLOSSER Son S Male W 18 IN At Home IN PA
Willie H. CLOSSER Son S Male W 14 IN At Home IN PA
Louis F. CLOSSER Son S Male W 10 IN At Home IN PA
Maggie M. CLOSSER Dau S Female W 6 IN IN PA
Scott SAYLER Other S Male W 16 IN Work On Farm OH IN
Reka BROCMAN Other S Female W 17 IN Servant GER GER

Source Information:
Census Place Union, La Porte, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254292
NA Film Number T9-0292
Page Number 304A

Elizabeth Haffer Closser Child: Notes
Scipio Township 1850 Census used to estimate birth date

Jerome Bonaparte Closser Child: Notes
Resided at 1014 Madison Street, LP in 1897. Served in the 87th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co G, 31 Aug 1862 to 27 Jan 1865. Was a wagoner.
1880 census Census Place 5th Ward, La Porte, La Porte, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254292 NA Film Number T9-0292 Page Number 203A

Sylvanus Milton Closser Child: Notes

Served in Company A, 151st Indiana Infantry, entering as a private and discharged as a 2nd Lt. Was chairperson of the La Porte County Republican Party for 8 years. Also was in the boot and shoe business and was engaged in the buying and selling of grain for 14 years. Served in Army from 24 Feb 1865 to 22 Sep 1865.

Joseph Anolphus Closser Child: Notes

1880 Census Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

J. A. CLOSSER Self M Male W 36 IN Grain Merchant VA PA
Louise M. CLOSSER Wife M Female W 31 IN Keeping House OH KY
Lethe B. CLOSSER Dau S Female W 10 IN At School IN IN
May L. CLOSSER Dau S Female W 7 IL IN IN
Emma D. ANDREWS Other S Female W 30 PA Servant IRE PA
Fred WINCHESTER Other M Male MU 23 LA Servant LA LA

Source Information:

Census Place 2nd Ward, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Family History Library Film 1254294
NA Film Number T9-0294
Page Number 42A

Emily Rosetta Closser Child: Notes

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