Insley - James J. d. 1904
JAMES INSLEY
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, April 4, 1904
James J. Insley, seventy-six years old, for many years one of Crawfordsville's most prominent citizens, died at his home 406 east Market street, at six-thirty Friday evening, after an illness of several weeks with Bright's disease. During the last few days his condition had become rapidly worse and his death had been expected for several hours. The death of Mr. Insley marked the passing of one of the best men who ever lived in this community. He came to Crawfordsville forty-six years ago when he gave up farming. Since that time for nearly half a century, he had been in the livery business here. He retired from active business last fall when the old brick structure at 112 east Market street, known for so many years as the Insley barn was sold by him to be converted into an automobile garage.
Mr. Insley had been prominent in religious and charitable work in Crawfordsville during all the years of his residence here and his kindly, unselfish acts of charity brought comfort to many poor families. He had always taken a great interest in the missionary work of Grant avenue chapel. He was a member of the First M.E. church and had been one of the leaders in the work of that church. At the time of his death he was president of the men's Brotherhood of that church. Mr. Insley was born in Tippecanoe county, October 15, 1838. He was the son of Andrew and Isabel Insley, his father being one of the most prominent of Tippecanoe county's early residents, serving for twenty-seven years as postmaster at Sugar Grove in that county. James spent his youth on his father's farm, receiving a good common school education. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Adaline Montgomery, whose death occurred in 1868. To them were born three children, Grace, no Mrs. J.H. Osborne, Morton H. Insley and Elsie, now Mrs. E.L. Morse.
Mr. Insley was married again in 1873 to Miss Evelyn Richardson of this city, who died in 1892. His daughters live in this city, and the son is in Oregon. The deceased was married in 1908 to Miss Sarah McKean of Fort Wayne, who survives. Aside from his business as a liveryman, Mr. Insley had been a horseman, and as a judge of horses and a starter of races he had few superiors, in former years he was one of the leaders in the Montgomery county fair association. Each year his services were sought in various parts of the state as starter of races at county fairs. Funeral services will be conducted from the home of Prof. J.H. Osborne at two-thirty Monday afternoon in charge of Rev. B.E. Kirkpatrick, pastor of the First M.E. church. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. The family has requested no flowers. - thanks to Kim H