Isaac N. Bales

As printed in 1882

ISAAC N. BALES.

This gentleman, one of Randolph County's honored and respected citizens, is the son of Pleasant and Mary (Abshire) Bales, and was born in this county March 6, 1837; he is the fifth of a family of eight children, of whom six are now living; his father was born in Clinton County, Ohio,.September 21,1810; his mother was born in Virginia September 27, 180!t; his grandfather, Curtis Bales, was one of the pioneers of this county, having become a resident about the year 1824; his gramifalher on his mother's side, James Abshire, was among the very first settlers of the county; he was also a soldier of the war of 1812.

Isaac's parents entered ciglily acres of land in Washington Township, this county, about the year 183H. This tract lies adjoining the farm upon which Isaac now lives. They remained upon this farm, enduring all of the toils, hardships and deprivations of pioneer life, until the year 1864, when they temporarily removed to Merom, Sullivan County. They did not remain here long; on account of Mrs. Bales' failing health, they relumed to their home in this county, where she died December 31. 18ii4. Mr. Bales very soon returned to Merom, where he died February 8, imh; his remains were brought to this county, and deposited by those of his wife in New Liberty Cemetery. They were accepuble and honored members of the Christian Church, and were among the first organizers of that church in the county.

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They

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Mr. and Mrs. Bales are the parents of thre children

William IL, born September 11. lh.-,7; 5Iary E.. b.

sed November 7, 1881; Magnolia M., born January 2 ekl Mary A. Fisher, daughter of An.o:; and Ann Fisher, of Ih are the parents of one child, Newton A.

Isaac enlisted in the army August.O, 1862, in Company H, S d gallant skirmishes. They were then transferred to the disastrous and fatal Red River expedition, in which the Sixty-ninth suffered greatly, marching for thirteen days and nights without rest. From this expedition, they returned to Morganza's Bend; thence to Baton Rouge, East Pascagoula, Pensacola Bay and Pollard. They then arrived at Blakely, Ala., the defense of Mobile. This place was besieged for six or seven days, and then carried by storm, which they captured with a large number of prisoners. They then took possession of Mobile without further resistance. After the capture of Blakely and Mobile, the Sixty-ninth was deployed to convoy the prisoners to Ship Island; after which Mr. Bales' company accompanied Maj. Gen. C. C. Andrews as body guard to Selma, Ala. They then returned to Mobile, where they were placed on provost duty, where they remained until mustered out of service, July 6, 1866. Mr. Bales reached home July 20.

He opened a stock of goods at his home in Washington Township in th spring of 1874. In the fall of the same year, he moved his stock to Wood's Station, taking as his partner in a general mercantile business his brother. Pleasant W. Bales. They kept a large and well selected stock of goods and did a thriving business. While at Wood's Station, Mr. Bales acted as Postmaster and ticket agent. He remained here until the fall of 1876, when he sold out to Lewis Norton and returned to the farm.

. As a business man, Mr. Bales was industrious, economical and successful. He and his family are acceptable members of the Christian Church at New Liberty, Mr. and Mrs. Bales being charter members. Mr, B, has been Treasurer of this church ever since its organization. Ha is a stanch Republican, and is an industrious worker in the party. His father was a Free Soiler.

Isaac is strictly temperate in his habits, an honest, moral, upright citizen, a kind husband, an affectionate father and a true friend.

Martha Jane (Platt) Bales, wife of Isaac N. Bales and daughter of Abram C. and Eliza (Horner) Piatt, was born in Wayne County, Ind,, March 16, 1838. She is the eldest of a family of three children, two of whom are. living. Her father was born in New Jersey and her mother in Ohio. Her parents came to this State in early times, and settled in Wayne County, Her father died when she was but three years of age, and her mother followed in the year 1862. She lived with her grandfather until she was eight years old. when she found a home with David and Martha Taylor, who were members of the Society of Friends. She lived with them until she was eighteen, when she was married to Isaac N. Bales. Mrs. Bales is a most estimable woman, and has been of great assistance to her husband in his business. During the time Isaac was in the army, she took upon herself the entire management of the farm, and did it well. She is a consistent member of the church, a devoted wife, an affectionate mother and a valuable member of society.

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.