Weik - Jesse William
Source: Weik's history of Putnam County, Indiana. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen
& Co., 1910, p. 325
One of the well known residents of Clinton Township is Joseph MOLER, who was
born in Nicholas Co KY June 2, 1834. In 1853 he came to Indiana and has since
made this state his place of abode. He is the son of John and Sarah Colliver
Moler, the former born in Bourbon County, Kentucky in the same vicinity as his
son, Joseph. His parents were PA Dutch who came to KY about 1790, his father
Joseph Moler, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1853, John
Moler and family came to Putnam County, Indiana locating in Clinton Twp on the
land where Joseph Moler now resides. It was then only partly cleared and had a
few rude buildings on it and here the elder Moler lived and died Nov 3, 1866
age 61 years having been born Nov 30, 1805. His wife died in 1856 at age 46.
She was born in Montgomery County, Indiana in 1809 (sic doubt this is correct -
KZ). Only one of their children was born in Indiana those to reach maturity
were: Mary, who married Russell Allen of Greencastle and died in that city 1873
or 1874; Joseph of this review; Richard h, a farmer in Parke County, Indiana;
Jeff T, who lives in Louisiana, Missouri; Susan E, who married RD Hamilton and
died when in middle life; Levi who went to Missouri where he died; Jemma, the
wife of Mr. Hannah and living in Missouri; Presley C, a bachelor and living on
the old homestead; Emma J, who married Caleb Bratton of Boone County, Indiana.
Joseph Moler was 19 when he came to Indiana. He remained at home until he was
25 assisting in clearing the place. On November 1, 1859, he married Lucy P.
Newgent, he being 25 and she 18; they had lived on adjoining farms for some
time. A sketch of her father, Edward Newgent, appears elsewhere in this volume.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moler spent two years in Pulaski County,
Indiana then moved back to Putnam on the farm of Mr. Moler's father, taking
charge of part of it. In 1868 he rented and took charge of the entire farm of
240 acres. Later he bought the interests of others in the home place, owning 80
acres. He has made extensive improvements on his place, building a fine home in
1891, and he has good barns and devotes considerable time to stock raising,
making grains also a specialty, feeding what grain the place produces. He has
laid 250 rods of tile. He is very successful as a general farmer. Mr. Moler is
an independent thinker and keeps well posted on political and current events.
He is no partisan and always votes for the men whom he deems to be the best
qualified for the offices sought. Three children have been born to Mr. and mrs.
Moler, one of whom died when 10 years of age. Levi Shelby Moler is a farmer in
Clinton Twp; he was candidate for nomination as county clerk in 1910. Stella
May married J.N. Brown, a farmer of Woonsocket, SD. on November 1, 1909, was
celebrated Mr. and Mrs. Moler's 50th wedding anniversary which was quite an
event in the Moler family and greatly enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough
to be present. The only anniversary guest who was also present at their
marriage was John Newgent, cousin of Mrs. Moler, he having enjoyed the
celebration after a half century lapse fromt he nuptial day almost as much as
the elder couple themselves. Rev. Joseph Skeeters, now deceased, performed the
marriage ceremony. Fraternally Mr. Moler is a Mason and he takes a great
interest in Masonry, endeavoring to live up to its wholesome teachings in his
everyday life. - transcribed by kbz