History of Northeast Indiana
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, & Dekalb Counties
Under the Editorial Supervision of:
Ira Ford [LaGrange], Orville Stevens [Steuben],
William H. McEwen [Noble], William H. McIntosh [DeKalb]
The Lewis Publishing Company
Chicago and New York
1920

CHESTER P. CRAIN, WHO WAS A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE EARLY FAMILIES OF
Steuben County and achieved successful results in a business way there,
was a native son of the county and spent practically all his life within
its border. The fine farm which he developed is situated in Pleasant
Township, and is now occupied by his widow an his son-in-law Mr. George
Saul.
Mr. Crain was born in Steuben County September 4, 1845, a son of
Ezekiel W. and Rebecca [Demory] Crain. His parents came from Canada,
where they were married in 1823, moving to Michigan in 1834, and in the
spring of 1836 Ezekiel Crain came to Steuben county and bought land and
built a log cabin, moving the family to the new home in the following
December. Ezekiel Crain was a man of great influence among the early
settlers, and died in Steuben County in 1871, his widow passing away in
1880. They had seven children; Abram, Orange, Nicholas, Richard,
Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Carpenter, Benjamin and
Chester Perry.
Chester Perry Crain grew up on the old farm where his widow now
lives, had a public school education, and with the exception of one year
in Kansas spent his life in Steuben county. After the death of his
father he bought the homestead and had 120 acres. For about thirty
years he made a specialty of the breeding of Red Polled cattle, and that
business is still carried on by his son-in-law George W. Saul. Mr.
Crain was a democrat in politics, and he and his wife with their
daughter and husband were members of the Christian Church at Angola.
January 23, 1873, Mr. Crain married Miss Susie Baker, a daughter of
Edward and Susan [Sandall] Baker. Her parents came from England, were
early settlers in Steuben county, and more extended mention of the
family is made on other pages of this publication. Mr. Crain had one
daughter, Elgie Melvina. She was born October 13, 1875, attended the
public schools and the Tri-State Normal College, and on June 12, 1901,
became the wife of George W. Saul. Mrs. Saul died May 12, 1915.
Mr. Saul was born in St. Clair County, Michigan, November 12, 1876,
son of Leander and Catherine [Hoyer] Saul. His parents were natives of
Williams County, Ohio, lived for several years in Michigan and from
there came to Steuben County and now live in Salem Township. Mr. Saul's
father is a republican and his mother is a member of the United Brethren
Church. The six Saul children, all living, are Jennie, Nettie, George
W., Ivan, Orran and Pearl. George W. Saul finished his education in
Pleasant Lake High School. He is affiliated with the Knights of
Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Angola. He and his wife
had one daughter, Troas Olive, born May 28, 1903.

Submitted by: Joey Pedigo