Robert Engle, son of William and Lutitia Engle, was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 21, 1837 and departed this life on April 17, 1914, age 76 years, 6 months and 26 days.
In the year 1842 the parents of the deceased emigrated with their family consisting on then six children, of which Robert was the third, to the site of the Engle Homestead in Washington Township, Randolph County, Indiana in which was then almost unbroken forest, with but meager opportunities for acquiring education, where the subject of this sketch, with the exceptions of a few years, remained and grew to man’s estate, assisting the parents and brothers in clearing away the forest and putting the ground in state of cultivation, enduring all the privations and blessings. For a time, he was privileged to return to Warren County, Ohio, and live with his uncle Robert Engle, after whom he was named, where there were better opportunities for acquiring an education, during which time he had advantages of attending school at an academy at Wayneville, Ohio and proved his opportunity so well that while he yet remained in his teens he returned to the family home and taught the neighborhood school which was situated on his father’s farm. He was engaged thereafter in teaching in the country schools during the winter months, but his chief occupation was that of a farmer.
In 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Datie Furguson, with whom he lived in the holy bonds of matrimony until he death which occurred in Februay, 1885.
In this union were born four children, Estella Boyd, wife of Will Boyd of Wayne County, who preceded him to the celestial shore; Susan Mills, wife of M. L. Mills, of Winchester, with whom he lived and had his home at the time and for several years preceding his death; Pearl Rathbun, wife of O. G. Rathbun, of Winchester and William A. Engle, of Los Angeles, California. Six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, to whom he was greatly attached, survive him.
In 1864, when his country demanded the service of patriots for the preservation of the Union and her free institutions, he left his young wife and children, shouldered a musket and went to the front, exposing his life and health that his country might live, where he remained until peace was declared, participating in all the battles in which his command was engaged after his services began. He was a member of the Ninth Indiana Infantry, and was engaged in the battle at Columbus, Tennessee and Franklin and at Nashville, and with the army in pursuit of H*** following to Huntsville, Alabama.
At the close of the war in 1865 he returned to his family and civil pursuits, engaged in farming and participating in all the things of the neighborhood which made for the up-building and betterment of mankind. He was always during the active period of life, interested in the common schools and in the boys and young men of his neighborhood, encouraging and inciting them of to higher attainments for the betterment of their condition in after life. He was elected and served his township in the capacity of Trustee, thus giving him a better opportunity to use his influence to assist in doing good in this line, and there are those among us who bear testimony to having been materially encouraged and assisted by his action and kindly admonition. In the latter part of his life the children of his acquaintance and neighborhood made a companion of him and delighted to hail him as “Grand Dad” and made free in his presence and company as though he were one of their number.
While yet a young man he joined the U. B. church and lived a consistent member of that organization, until he went to live at Winchester.; there being no church of that denomination in Winchester, for a time he affiliated with all the orthodox churches of the city, making a choice of none, but was a constant attendant of some church all the timem ybtuk a few years prior to his death when he joined and thereafter was a consistent member of the Main Street Christian church of Winchester, Indiana.
His life was as open book; read **** understood by those with whom he came in contact. The had no **** secrets and cherished no ill will towards his fellowman. He life a life of simplicity, was inostentatious *** ferring others to himself, depreciating his own merits and ability; **** or reading, and in life spent much of his time reading. He had **** humanity and his fellow **** bounded faith in the word **** lived the life of the righteous has gone to their reward.
Short funeral services were conducted Sunday morning at the home of M. L. Mills by Rev. Wilson of Main St. Christian church after which the remains were followed by a large course of relatives and friends to Bloomingsport where services were conducted by Comrade Rev I. P. Watts. Interment at cemetery near Williamsburg by Nelson Trusler Post G. A. R. of which he was a member.
CARD OF THANKS
We desire in this manner to express our appreciation to the mane who extended aid and sympathy to us in our hour of sorrow and affliction in the illness and death of father and grandfather.
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Mills and Family
Mr. and Mrs. O. G. Rathbun and Family