Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Joel Railsback
Joel Railsback, farmer and horticulturist, was born Jan. 29, 1808, in Wayne County, Ind. He has experienced all the phases of pioneer life, and was educated at the log-cabin subscription schools. He was married in 1830, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Sarah Fouts, early settlers of Wayne County, from North Carolina. Of their twelve children nine are living — William, of Pendleton, Ind., married Elizabeth McHenry; Nancy, wife of Daniel Goozykoontz, of Anderson, Ind.; David, at home; Permelia, wife of Fleming Aydlott, of Xenia, Ind.; Mary, wife of Aquilla Watkins, of Anderson, Ind.; Sarah, wife of Robert Williamson, of Wabash, Ind.; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Pence, near Anderson, Ind.; Maria, wife of Charles Bulla, of Wayne County, Ind. Those deceased are — Lucinda, wife of Robert Grimes, who is also deceased; Larkin and Eliza. Mr. Railsback first bought land near Boston, Wayne County, where he following farming till 1837, when he sold and purchased another farm and followed horticulture and agriculture till 1852. He then sold his farm and removed to the place where he still resides. His farm contains 182 acres of valuable land, situated on the Newport pike, near Richmond. He has a first-class residence, and one of the best orchards in Wayne Township. His father, David Railsback, was born Dec. 12, 1769, in Rowan County, N. C., of German ancestry. Our subject's mother, Sarah (Stephens) Railsback, was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1774, and was married in North Carolina. The couple removed with their family to Wayne County in 1807, where David Railsback followed farming through life. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died Oct. 12, 1857. His widow died a few years later. She belonged to the Baptist church. They reared twelve children to maturity, five of whom were born in Wayne County. Those living are — Judith, widow of Thomas Cobb; Caleb, married Nancy Barnhills, and resides in Marshall County, Ind.; Joel, the eighth child; David, married Mary Smith, and is living in Wayne County; Mary, Enoch, Edward, William, Matthew (twin to Caleb), Nathan, John and Sarah.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana, Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2