Adams County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter II Jesse Niblick 1896
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Book Title: Reminiscences Of Adams, Jay And Randolph Counties

CHAPTER II.
JESSE NIBLICK.

    Jesse Niblick, one of Decatur's early settlers and honest, respected and
honorable influential citizens has passed away. His death occurred Sunday night
near the midnight hour, and many were the words of sympathy and regret, when the
announcement grew into circulation at an early hour Monday morning, October 6th,
1896. He had been ailing for several weeks, yet his confinement to his home was
less than a week, and while many of his friends and acquaintances knew he was
sick, yet they were unprepared for the shock, which accompanied the announcement
of his death. He had been a pillar in the foundation of so many creditable
business enterprises, and a leader in all these since the formation of the
county and city, that it's but little wonder that he was known, loved, honored,
respected and admired by every man, woman and child. But death is no respector
of persons, so we will simply abide its decisions and console ourselves by
trying to emulate his many virtues.

    The deceased was born in Carroll County, Ohio, although His father was a
native of Ireland. His parents located in Adams County in 1836, at which time
Jesse was ten years of age. This date takes us back to the time when Adams
County was a dense and unbroken wilderness, which has now been transformed into
a region of thrift and prosperity, by the untiring zeal and energy of such
enterprising citizens as Mr. Niblick. He has seen the trails of the trapers
[sic] and hunters give place for railroads and vehicles, the cabins and garden
patches succeeded by comfortable houses and board fields of waiving grain, the
additions of churches, school houses, and every other conceivable institution
that tended to broaden the mind, extend the markets of commerce, trade and
traffic, and make the history of Adams County of such thrilling interest, grand
practical results, and lessons that now may be perused with profit by the
present Adams County generation, and by citizens of other regions.

    In 1846 Mr. Niblick engaged in the boot and shoe business, being then twenty
years old. This business he was engaged in until 1866, having been more than
successful in building up trade and a reputation of honesty, that has been
beneficial to him in various ways ever since. That reputation has been worth
more to him than, all the gold in the universe. In these later years it no doubt
has been a source of satisfaction and gratification to him to know, that after a
life time devoted exclusively to business and its various competition, he is
able to extend the right hand of fellowship to all those whom he has come in
contact with, all these years. In 1866 he connected himself with John Crawford
in a general merchantile business, under the firm name of Niblick & Crawford.
Several years later the firm was extended to Niblick, Crawford & Sons, a son of
each having been taken into the partnership. This firm existed until some seven
years ago, when it again changed to Jesse Niklick [sic] & Son, and which firm is
still doing business, being one of Decatur's prominent business institutions.

    In 1871 Niblick & Nuttman engaged in the banking business in the name of the
Adams County Bank. Later it was organized under the state laws, and Mr. Niblick
became a director and its first president. He was still a director in the bank
at the time of his death. This bank is also identified as one of the most solid
and prominent banking houses in the state. Thus it will be seen that every
business enterprise in which Mr. Niblick was engaged, prospered and thrived,
much of this thrift being due to the excellent business judgment and ideas
advanced by Mr. Niblick. Politically the deceased always cast his suffrage with
the Democratic party, being at all times one of the chief promoters and
organizers. In 1848 he was elected trustee of Washington Township, and from
1865-8 he very efficiently filled the office of County Treasurer. He was always
enthusiastic in his support of the party, at the same time respecting in the
greatest degree the opinions of his friends and others who chose to dier [sic]
with him in political preferment. He was also a public spirited citizen, and
always devoted time, aid, money and advice to any movement or project that had a
tendency towards advancing the progression of this city and county, to both of
which he was very devotedly attached.

    In 1851 he was married to his present bereaved widow. Her maiden name was
Catharine Closs, a native of Germany. Their lives together have been one
continued line of sunshine and devotional happiness, which had much to do with
the kind-hearted manifestations on every demanded occasion, by the deceased. In
her present breavement Mrs. Niblick is joined by seven children, one having
already passed into that world on high, William Niblick, president, and Charles,
assistant cashier of the Old Adams County Bank; John, James K. and Daniel M.
being associated with him in business, and Mary and Amelia, who reside at home,
comprise the family who are now grieved beyond expression at the death of their
long cherished, honored and reverenced counsellor and advisor. To him they have
come with many preplexities which he has gladly solved. Now they will have to
profit by the dictates of his past life, which is a worth example to follow and
emulate.

    The funeral services were conducted yesterday morning. As a mark of respect
to the deceased every business house in the city was closed during the services,
and people from all over the county came in to pay him homage. It was perhaps
the largest gathering of people ever assembled to pay their last respects to the
dead. And they were all friends; friends with whom the deceased had been
associated for years, and not for a day. They knew him and they loved him. It
was a fitting tribute to a long life of usefulness and honor. The pall-bearers
who conveyed the remains to its last resting place was composed of R. B.
Allison, David Studabaker, John Meibers, John Shane, Conrad Brake and Ezra
Lister, all old associates of the deceased, who had known him for half a century.

    He was born August 12th, 1826; died October 6th, 1895, being aged sixty-nine
years, one month and twenty-four days. Funeral services were held at the St.
Mary's Catholic church, and that large structural auditorium would not hold half
the sympathizing friends who sought admission. Interment in the St Joseph cemetery.

    So ends the life of our beloved and honored friend and citizen.

[Transcriber's note: The year of death is listed as 1896 at the beginning of the
chapter and 1895 at the end. This discrepancy is in the book this was
transcribed from.]

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Reminiscences of Adams, Jay and Randolph Counties

Compiled by Martha C. M. Lynch

Ft. Wayne, IN: Lipes, Nelson & Singmaster

Circa 1896

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/adams/history/1896/reminisc/chapteri467gms.txt

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