STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1898, page 1, column 6

   Christian Fast was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 
12, 1814.  When he was but two years old age his parents removed to 
what is now Ashland county, Ohio, there being at that time but nine 
families living in the township where they located.  April 14, 1839, 
he was married to Henrietta Sowle, who with his son John and 
daughter Rosanna preceded him to the home above.  Six children of 
this union remain.
   In 1852, when he was 38 years of age, he came to Steuben county 
and settled upon the farm upon which he lied until his death.  April 
29, 1860, he was married to Rhoda Wells, who with two sons survive 
him.  One daughter, Laura, died Sept. 7, 1879.
   At the age 19 years, Mr. Fast was baptized by a minister of the 
Christian church, and from that day through his long pilgrimage his 
faith remained steadfast and he has died in the full assurance of 
the blessed promises of the gospel of Christ.  At an early day he 
was chosen as one of the elders of the Angola church in which 
capacity he served till his death, which occurred Dec. 13, 1898, at 
5 a.m., aged 84 years, 8 months and 1 day.
   Funeral services were conducted at the old homestead Thursday 
morning at 10 o'clock, Elder Medbury officiating. 
   The Mmason of the county were largely represented out of respect 
to one of the Charter members of Angola Lodge, No. 286(?), F. & A.M. 
Their ritual formed the closing part of the service at the house and 
the order assumed entire charge at the grave.
   Mrs. Fast's living children are well known in our community.   
All were present at the service.  The sons, Joseph, Allen, Eli, Ira 
and Orla Fast, and the daughters, Mrs. Orville Goodale, Mrs. Melvin 
McGrew and Mrs. Nettie Freligh, are all residents of the county.  
All the grandchildren were privileged to attend the funeral, 
excepting Curtis Fast, of Michigan, Mrs. Ethie Lehman, of 
Mississippi, and Mrs. Mattie Sniff, of Illinois. 
   The aged man was borne to his grave by grandsons and one great-
grandson.  The entire service was such as to emphasize the glory of 
a long life well spent, and the priceless value of the Christian's 
hope as to the life beyond.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

   Christian Fast, 12 Feb 1814 - 12 Dec 1898, son of Martin and Catherine 
(Blosser) Fast, married:  1st, Henrietta (Sowle) Fast, 10 Nov 1820 - 08 Dec 
1859, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Allen) Sowle; 2nd, Rhoda Wells Fast, 12 
Dec 1835 - 27 May 1911.

CHILDREN OF 1st MARRIAGE:

   Francis Allen Fast, 25 Aug 1845 -1919, married 1st, Julie A. (Sowle) 
Fast, died 14 Sep 1864, aged 16 years, 8 months and 17 days (died in 
childbirth).  Married 2nd, Emma E. (Gaskill) Fast, 1848 - 1940.
   Eli Fast, 1847 - 1922, married Addie (McIntyre) Fast, 1853 - 1935.
   Mary E. (Fast) Goodale, 13 Feb 1850 - no date of death, married Orville 
Goodale, 11 Mar 1846 - 18 Dec 1919.
   Rachel A. (Fast) McGrew, 1850 - 1918, married Melvin C. McGrew, 1852 - 
1934.
   John A. Fast, 19 Aug 1857 - 20 Jul 1875. 
   Nettie (Fast) Freligh, 1859 - 1924, married Ervin Freligh, 12 Oct 1852 - 
15 Jul 1922. 

CHILDREN OF 2nd MARRIAGE:

   Ira C. Fast, 1864 - 1938, married Latiala Fast, 1868 - 19334.
   Orla L. W. Fast, 1867 - 1932, married Kathryn V. (Penner) Fast, 1873 - 
1944.
   Laura E. Fast, 09 Jul 1870 - 07 Sep 1879. 

   All buried in Sowle Cemetery, Steuben County, Indian, except Francis 
Allen Fast and 2nd wife, Emma E. (Gaskill) Fast who are buried at Metz 
cemetery; and Orville and Mary E. (Fast) Goodale who are buried at Circle 
Hill Cemetery, Angola, Indiana.

There are four stones inscribed "Infant". There are no names of dates but 
the location indicates that they are the infants of Christian and his two 
wives.

"Cemeteries of Steuben Co., Ind., 1990" by Audree Siebel Lewis, Vol. I, 
pages 601, 602, 603, 604, 671, 172, 746; and Vol. II, page 1222.
    
Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith
E-mail: hilbeck123@att.net