Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Nathan Irvin Bond
Nathan Irvin Bond, blacksmith, was born in Randolph County, N. C., Aug. 8, 1816, of English descent. When three years of age he came to Indiana with his mother, who settled in Webster Township. At the age of seven years he was apprenticed to Stephen Macey, of Preble County, Ohio, to learn blacksmithing and plow-making, with whom he worked till he was fourteen years old. He then worked one year in Cincinnati, when he returned to Wayne County, Ind., and worked with William Macey at Fountain City two years. He then worked for eighteen months near Williamsburg, when he located in the village and manufactured plows a number of years, and is supposed to have made the first steel plow manufactured in the State. In 185S he sold his property in Williainsburg, and purchased the farm near the village where he has since carried on general blacksmithing. He also manufactures the Pefley corn-row marker, which is the most complete marker in use. His farm is cultivated by tenants. Mr. Bond was married in 1839 to Mary, daughter of Joshua Ballenger, who came from Virginia to Wayne County at an early day. Of the five children born to this union, four survive — De Witt C., James A., John H. and Sarah E. Alwilda J. is deceased. Mrs. Bond was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She died in 1849, and in 1851 Mr. Bond was married to Mary J., daughter of John and Rebecca (Veal) Cain, of Wayne County. They had one daughter who died in infancy. Mrs. Bond belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Bond is a Republican.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2