DAVID HEAL b 1823 OH
I am not related. Just posting to help others
DAVID HEAL is an old and highly respected citizen of Washington township, Delaware County, Indiana, who was born November 5, 1823, in Muskingum County, Ohio, being the son of William and Olive (Carter) Heal; the father was born October 29, 1791, near Belfast, Me., and the mother October 18, 1799, in the same place; the father died April 16, 1847, and the mother September 19, 1844. William Heal went to Muskingum county when twenty-two years old, and worked in a foundry for seven years, after which he was employed in burning brick, cutting stone, building houses, he being a mechanical genius, who could turn his hand to almost anything. In 1829, he moved to Indiana, and entered Zoo acres of land in Washington Township, Delaware County, which at that time was virgin forest. He and his family lived by a log heap until he erected a rude cabin, which was very small and only six feet in pitch to the ceiling. William lived to see 100 acres under cultivation, and had his family in a good substantial dwelling. In those days most of the marketing was done at Cincinnati and Michigan City. He was the father of nine children, seven of whom lived to rear families.
David Heal lived with his parents until he was twenty-one, his boyhood being spent in working upon the farm, splitting rails and other work necessary for the improvement of the place. His playmates when a boy was chiefly Indian lads, the red men being there in numbers, and living in great concord with the whites. The chances for an education were most limited, yet David so improved them, that he was able to teach school when twenty years old. He taught two terms, then attended school at Muncie for six months, and then resumed teaching for five terms, receiving from $30 to $50 for seventy-two days' work. Mr. Heal purchased his first tract of land in 1848, it being a share of his father's estate, and consisting of twenty-one acres, worth at that time about $290. At the present time, he owns thirty-one acres, having given his children 127 acres. He is one of the most useful men in the township, being public-spirited, and interesting himself in everything that will advance the welfare of the community. He held the office of justice of the peace for sixteen years, and has been a notary public for twenty years. An idea of the confidence that is placed in him may be seen in the fact that he has been administrator for twenty-five different estates, all of which were satisfactorily settled. He was married May 21, 1848, to Anna Caroline Rigdon, born May 24, 1831, in Guernsey County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Eli Rigdon, and her mother's maiden name was Nixon. Her father came to this state in 1838, and located in Blackford county, where he bought a grist mill and managed it for some time, after which he engaged in farming for a few years, and then came to Wheeling, Delaware county, where he was a merchant until his death. Mrs. Heal departed this life January 7, 1878, and her remains rest in Olive Branch Cemetery. She was a good mother, a faithful wife and a consistent member of the Christian church. The children by this marriage are: George E. and Anna Lacy, who are also members of the Christian church. In politics, Mr. Heal is a stanch republican. He is living a retired life, after long years of arduous labor, and, despite his age, is strong as a young man of thirty.
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Re: DAVID HEAL b 1823 OH
Michael Thompson 10/28/04