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THEODORE
KARN
Prominently
known as a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of
Hancock county is Theodore Karn, who also deserves mention in this
volume by reason of his own worth and prominence. He is a well known
farmer of Cass township, where he resides on a holding of sixty
acres of land, which he devotes to general farming. His parents were
Ezra and Elizabeth (Albertson) Karn, the former born in Maryland,
September 16, 1815, and the latter in New Jersey, June 23, 1819.
Their marriage occurred March 21, 1839, and their family consisted
of the following children: William, born August 22, 1840; Theodore,
February 9, 1842; Drucilla, October 13, 1846; Jerome, September 25,
1848; Simeon, June 20, 1852; Albert,
April 22, 1855; Martin, July 1, 1857; Mary E., deceased, November 4,
1859. Ezra Karn removed to Cass township in 1835, and previous to
that date he had located for a short time in Holmes county,
Ohio
. In 1840 he purchased forty acres of land in section ten, which was
in its primitive state, and the usual log house and outbuildings
were erected by him. In 1845 he sold this farm, receiving for it
$400, with which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, also in
its virgin state. He continued to improve and beautify this farm,
and in i860 he purchased another eighty acres, part of which his son
Theodore now owns. Ezra Karn was a popular man in his day, and a
most successful farmer. He served the township for several years as
trustee, and was actively interested in educational work, having
served on the school board. His religious proclivities found
endorsement in the Lutheran church, in which he served for a period
as deacon. In political
belief he held to the principles of Democracy. He served on the
board of agriculture for several years and was one of its
projectors. His life, while not being an eventful one, was full of
that interest which must ever attach to the noble band of pioneers
that built society in Hancock county. He died
September 1. 1881. his wife having preceded him by three years.
dying May 12, 1880. Valentine Karn, the grandfather of our immediate
subject, came to the county about the same time as the son. He
settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land which had but very
few improvements. His wife was Elizabeth Smoots,
and their family numbered seven sons and four daughters, one
of the daughters still living. Valentine was a cooper by trade, and
was a first-class mechanic as well as a good and industrious farmer.
He died in the spring of 1845. His wife followed him several years
later. Theodore Karn was born in Cass township as above mentioned,
and spent his youth on the farm, being early trained to habits of
industry and economy, that have proved a substantial foundation upon
which to rear the superstructure of his manhood's success. He
adopted farming as a profession, and upon establishing a home of his
own called to preside over it Miss Mary E. Swisher. This event
occurred in 1883. Mrs. Karn the daughter of Peter and Sara A.
Swisher. She was born at
Ada
,
Ohio
, on the 28th of December, 1864. She has presented her husband with
the following children: Lola E., February 20, 1885; Grace B.,
January 25, 1887; Bessie A., December 23, 1889; Cloyse A., April 3,
1893: Laura j., January 23, 1896; and Edwin, December 18, 1899. Mr,
and Mrs. Karn, together with their interesting family, reside in
peace and contentment among a host of admiring friends and
acquaintances.
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