Turnipseed - Nathan
Source: A. W. Bowen History of Montgomery County, Indiana.
Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913, p. 979
Examples that impress force of character on all who study them
are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are
found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to
convey in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without
fulsome encomium, some idea of the high standing of the late
Nathan C. Turnipseed, for many years one of the well known and
successful farmers and stock men of Sugar Creek Township,
Montgomery County. Those who remember him best will readily
acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and
practical nature were united in his composition and which during
a series of years brought him material success and the high
regard of his fellowmen in the locality of which this volume
deals, his life and his achievements earning for him a
conspicuous place among his compeers. He was a man of kind
impulses, neighborly, indulgent to his family and sought to carry
into his everyday life the precepts of the Golden Rule, and was
therefore a fit man to pattern after if we would be both
successful and honored. Mr. Turnipseed was born on October 15,
1855 in Highland County, Ohio. He was a son of Thomas and Mary
Chaney Turnipseed. His father was born on May 19, 1830 in Ohio
and died April 22, 1869. The mother was born on February 8, 1831
and died March 30, 1875. The father of our subject was a mason
by trade which he followed in connection with farming. His
family consisted of 7 children, only one of whom is still living
at this writing. Nathan C. Turnipseed received a common school
education. When about 21 he removed from his native state to
Montgomery County, Indiana and here he spent the rest of his
life, engaged in general farming and raising and breeding
livestock. On December 2, 1879, he was united in marriage to
Martha Boots, who was born June 24, 1859, in Montgomery County,
and she grew to womanhood in Sugar Creek, Township. She is a
daughter of Asa and Elizabeth Rice Boots. The father on May 10,
1820 in Ohio and his death occurred December 29, 1902. The
mother was also born in Ohio in 1824 and her death occurred in
April 1861. To these parents five children were born, two of
whom are still living: Anna is deceased; Ella is deceased;
Charlotte is deceased; George is living and Martha, widow of the
subject of this memoir. Mrs. Turnipseed received a good common
education. She has five children: Clarice, born July 6, 1880
married William Jobe and lives in Kansas; Eleanor born Feb 8,
1882, married Frank Custer, a farmer of Sugar Creek Township,
Marie born Aug 19, 1884, is still living at home with her mother;
Asahal, born May 13, 1893 is also at home; and Thomas B. born on
May 2, 1896 is still a member of the family circle. Mrs.
Turnipseed is the owner of a valuable and productive farm of 253
acres in Sugar Creek Township, which is well improved and on
which stands a good set of buildings. She is a woman of more
than ordinary business ability and is carrying on general farming
and stock raising on an extensive scale. The death of Nathan C.
Turnipseed occurred Feb 17, 1913. He was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He held membership at the
Potato Creek Methodist Church, of which he was a trustee for many
years. He was a Republican in politics, was active in party
affairs, and held several offices in the county. He was highly
esteemed by all who knew him and was a good and praiseworthy
citizen in every respect. - transcribed by kbz