KAY LASH COLLECTION, CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, ANGOLA, INDIANA NORMAN CORNELIUS SHANK, 29 Jan 1845 - 11 Feb 1917 Norman C. Shank was born near Tiffin, in Seneca county, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1845; he died at his home in Jackson township, Steuben county, Indiana, Feb. 11, 1917, aged 71 years and 13 days. He was the son of Cornelius and Rachel Shank, and of a family of 12 children, of whom a sister, three half sisters, a half brother and stepmother survive. His father brought his family to Steuben county when the deceased was four years old and located on what is now known as the Levi Doudt farm in Jackson township. The senior Mr. Shank was actively identified in the development of this new community, and for a number of years carried the mail three times a week between Flint, Ind., and Bronson, Mich., and ofttimes the deceased, when a mere lad just in his teens, performed on horseback for this arduous and responsible service. The subject of this sketch, when but 15 years of age, enlisted in the service of his country in the Civil War, in Company K, 44th regiment, Indiana volunteers, re-enlisting as a veteran at the close of his three years' term, and served throughout the war. He was with the regiment in all of its severest engagements, and bore an honorable record as a soldier in the ranks. For a considerable period of time he was Col. Aldrich's orderly, in which position he was often entrusted with matters of extreme responsibility, which he discharged with unswerving fidelity. He received injuries in the war which he carried throughout the remainder of his life, and which ultimately resulted in his death. He bore these sufferings with fortitude as a part of the sacrifice he cheerfully made for his country. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to Jackson township and engaged in farming, which vocation he pursued the remainder of his life. He was married April 12, 1868, to Emeline Bowerman, who died April 24, 1875. To them were born three children---Nellie (now Mrs. Sylvester VanWagner), Melvin L., and Norman. On Dec. 30, 1877, he was married to Emma Davis, who died March 16, 1906. To them were born six children---Ray R., H. Lyle, Floy (now Mrs. Lloyd VanWagner), Cecil, Grant and Earl. On April 4, 1911, he was married to Ette Northup, to whom was born one son---Aden. All of these children, with the widow, survive him. Mr. Shank was an upright man, highly respected in his community. Whether in the service of his country in war, or in the pursuits of peace, he performed his full measure of duty as a citizen. He upheld the higher principles of life, was a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible and his word was everywhere regarded the equal of a bond. His sterling worth counted for much, and he will be sorely missed, not only by his family, but also by the neighbors who had relied upon him for advice and offtimes more substantial assistance. Many united today with the bereaved family in expressing their sorrow at his going, and all will cherish his memory as that of an upright and worthy man. Funeral services were held at the Pleasant View church in Jackson township, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1917, conducted by Rev. J. W. Lilip, a former pastor. Burial was in the Flint cemetery. (Picture included with obituary) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Norman Cornelius Shank, 29 Jan 1845 - 11 Feb 1917, married 1st, Emeline (Bowerman) Shank, 1850 - 24 Apr 1875. They are buried at Flint Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. (NOTE: The cemetery book lists date of birth as 29 Jan 1846 which is correct if the "aged 71 years and 13 days" is correct. He was the son of Cornelius Norman Shank, who died 03 Sep 1893, aged 89 years, 1 month and 19 days, and Susannah H. (Ransburg) Shank, born 1820 - who died before Cornelius was married on 30 Oct 1851 to his 2nd wife, Mary Rebecca (Barnard) Shank, 1832 - 1921. Cornelius and Mary are buried at Flint Cemetery. Susannah is buried at Seneca, Ohio. Susannah was the daughter of Christian and Catherine M. (Sprankle) Ransburg. Emeline was the daughter of Michael Bowerman, 04 Sep 1823 - 26 Sep 1899, and his 1st wife, Sarah Jane (Gooding) Bowerman, who died 07 Jun 1865, aged 35 years, 3 months and 26 days. His 2nd wife was Eliza Swalley(?), born 28 Mar 1840, no other information. CHILDREN OF THE FIRST MARRIAGE: Nellie (Shank) VanWagner, 1868 - 1946, on 02 Apr 1887, married Sylvester VanWagner, 12 Jul 1867 - 03 Feb 1941. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Melvin L. Shank, 1871 - 22 Oct 1950, on 27 Jun 1895, married Ida Mae (Mott) Shank, 1876 - 1957. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Norman Shank, 1875 - 1955, on 04 Jun 1896, married Carrie Belle (Croxton) Shank, no other information. On 14 Nov 1899, he married Essie/Meda? (Jarvis) Shank, no other information. Norman is buried at Jamestown Cemetery. Burial places for Carrie and Essie unknown. SECOND MARRIAGE: On 30 Dec 1877, Norman married Emma Adelpha Davis, 04 Jun 1858 - 16 Mar 1906, buried at Flint Cemetery. She was the daughter of Horace Ephriam Davis and Rebecca P. (VanCleave) Davis. CHILDREN: Ray R. Shank, 16 Jan 1879 - 08 Apr 1956, in 1902, married Pearl (Maxton) Shank, 1883 - 1966. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Hudson Lyle Shank, Sep 1880 - 1953, on 23 Aug 1906, married Lulu (Ely) Shank, 16 Feb 1881 - 20 Dec 1962. They are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. Floy (Shank) VanWagner, 01 Mar 1882 - 02 Jul 1919, on 24 Dec 1902, married Lloyd VanWagner, 28 Oct 1876 - 05 Feb 1971. They are buried at Lake Gage Cemetery. Lloyd was the son of Melvin J. and Mary Ellen (Laughery) VanWagner. Cecil Shank, Feb 1886 - no date of death. In 1911 married Ella (Bartlett) Shank, born in 1891, no other information. Grant E. Shank, 07 Jul 1887 - 01 Sep 1934, on 01 Jan 1907, married Leah M. (Maxton) Shank, 1886 - 12 Jun 1968. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Earl G. Shank, Aug 1893 - 03 Jan 1963, married Fern (Lounsbury) Shank, 1893 - 1952. The are buried at Flint Cemetery. THIRD MARRIAGE: On 04 Apr 1911, Norman married Ette F. (Northup/Northrop) Shank, 1849, no date of death or burial place. ONE CHILD: Aden K. Shank, burial place unknown. www.familysearch.org lists him as being born in 1871 which cannot be correct. His parents were married in 1911 and in the Estate Papers, page 208, 1919, show that Aden K. Shank is a minor. "Marriage Records, Steuben County, Indiana, 1837-1899" "History of Steuben County, Indiana, 1885," page 718, biography of Norman C. Shank; page 704, biography of father- in-law, Michael Bowerman. Steuben Republican, 22 Aug 1906, "Old Settlers" death list, Emma (Davis) Shank. Estate of Norman C. Shank Sr., 23 Apr 1919. "Cemteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, pages 182, 183, 184; Vol. 2, pages 1622, 1623, 1624. 1870, 1871. www.familysearch.org; 1880 United States Census, Norman Shank, Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana, Family History Library Film #1254312, NA Film #T9-0312, page #273D. Individual Record for Norman C. Shank. Family Group Records for: Cornelius Shank, Norman Cornelius Shank and 2nd wife, Lloyd VanWagner, Hudson Lyle Shank, Cecil Shank, Earl G. Shank, Norman Cornelius Shank and 3rd wife.