Page 696

JOHN UPTON is a valued resident in Clear Lake Township and is quite widely known in this and adjoining counties, having for five years been engaged in milling in different localities, getting out timber for railroad purposes. The farm upon which he resides consists of seventy-seven acres of fine land, and although not so large as many estates in the township is capable of producing crops of sufficient value to insure the comfort of our subject and his family and allow him to lay aside something for a rainy day. It is furnished with all necessary improvements, among them being a cozy and attractive residence that was erected in 1874.

Our subject is a son of James Upton who was born in Monroe County, Va., and removing to Indiana in 1837 settled on a farm. He held various local offices, among them those of Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace and was regarded as an honor to the community. He breathed his last in 1860 at the age of fifty years, although his father, Loyde Upton, had lived to the venerable age of ninety-eight. The wife of James Upton and mother of our subject, is Sally (Bracken) Upton, a native of the Hoosier State who is still living and is now about sixty-eight years old. She is a Methodist in religious belief, earnest and zealous, and one who has ever endeavored to live aright. She is the mother of four living children and two who have crossed the river of death.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Boone County, Ind., February 7, 1840. About the first noise he remembers is the howling of wolves in the vicinity of the log cabin which was the family home. The little schooling which he received was obtained in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse and comprised a period of not more than twenty-three months which extended over the years from the time he was five until he was twenty. A lover of learning and a lad of determined spirit he bought books and studied at home, thus fitting himself for the profession of a teacher and whatever else lay before him in the future.

Until he was sixteen years old our subject assisted in farm labors and he then began teaching, his labors as a pedagogue commencing on the last day of 1856 and continuing until 1865. Until 1863 he remained in his native State where he is still remembered as a successful and earnest instructor who imparted to his pupils his own love of learning and desire for knowledge. In 1863 he came to this county where he spent the ensuing two years in professional labors, then located on a farm in Mechanicsburg Township. A year later he rented land in Rochester Township, operating it until 1873 when he made his first purchase of real estate, being his present home in Clear Lake Township. Ten years later he added to his property, upon which in the meantime he had made many valuable improvements.

The interesting ceremony which united the lives and fortunes of Mr. Upton and Miss Permelia A. Duncan was performed July 3, 1861, Carrollton, Carroll County, Ky. The bride was a native of the Blue Grass State and is a well-informed, capable Christian woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Upton belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Upton enlisted in Company A, Tenth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected, not being able to pass the required physical examination. He did what he could to aid the Union cause by joining the Union League and exerting his personal influence in behalf of the old flag. He never fails to vote the Republican ticket and has served as a delegate to county conventions and otherwise aided the party. In 1880 he was a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court and ran some distance ahead of his ticket. This fact is indicative of his personal popularity and the esteem in which he is held. He has served efficiently as Township Supervisor two terms.