Our subject came to this county as early as 1826, with his father, George Angel, who was born in February, 1794. The latter secured a tract of Government land, and by the exercise of unremitting labor and wise management succeeded in improving a good farm, where he lived many years in comfort, and where his death took place in 1856, thirty years from the time of his settlement here, at the age of sixty-two years and three months. He was born in North Carolina, and was the son of a native of Germany, who emigrated to America and fought as a private all through the Revolutionary War, being one of the earliest men to enlist from North Carolina. After the war was ended he engaged in farming, first in North Carolina, then removed to Kentucky, thence to Spencer County, Ind., where he was one of the earliest pioneers. He died there when quite aged. It is believed that he was married to an American lady, who probably died in North Carolina when middle-aged.

The father of our subject was the third son in a family of four sons and two daughters, and was reared to manhood in his native State. Shortly after reaching his majority he emigrated to Kentucky and enlisted under Gen. Jackson for the War of 1812. He fought under Old Hickory at the battle of New Orleans, and distinguished himself as a brave and courageous soldier, being in the thickest of the fight in that memorable battle. After receiving his honorable discharge he made his way to the Territory of Indiana, and in Spencer County met and married Miss Elizabeth Turnhan.

The mother of our subject was born and reared in East Tennessee, and was the daughter of Thomas Turnhan, a gentleman of Irish ancestry, who served in the Revolutionary army seven years prior to his first marriage. He had five wives. His second, third and fourth wife were living after his marriage to his fifth wife. He died a very old man, in Spencer County, Ind., leaving his fifth wife a widow. He was the father of children by four of his wives. Our subject remembers seeing him, and that his manner of dress and style of wearing his hair were similar to that of the old colonial days.

Mrs. Elizabeth Angel came North with her husband and survived him a number of years, dying March 12, 1873, in Arenzville, Cass County, this State, when quite aged. Both she and her husband were people greatly respected, and she was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John, our subject, is the eldest survivor of the nine children born to his parents - four sons and five daughters. He first opened his eyes to the light at the homestead, fourteen miles from the county seat of Spencer County, Ind., March 18, 1823, and was a lad of three years when his parents first came to this county. He was reared to man's estate, and in the township where he now lives was married Jan. 4, 1844, to Miss Susan Smith. Mr. Angel was born May 19, 1827, in Hickman County, Tenn.., and is the daughter of John and Mary (Moss) Smith, who were also natives of that State, and the father a farmer by occupation. After marriage and the birth of a part of their children, the parents came to this county, locating about 1840 in township 16, range 11. Here occurred the death of John Smith, Oct. 17, 1867, when he was a man quite old in years. He had pursued that conscientious and upright course in life which gained him the esteem of all who knew him, and he exerted a good influence upon those around them. His aged widow is still living and has not attained to the age of eighty-seven years. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Angel, and, notwithstanding her years, is very active in mind and body.

Mrs. Susan Angel was about ten years old when her parents came to this county, where she has spent her life. She was one of the elder children of quite a large family, and of her union with our subject there have been born fourteen children, three of whom are deceased, having died young - James, David and one unnamed. Lavina, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Henry Bridgeman, and they live on a farm, in Shelby County, this State; Mary E. is the wife of Thomas B. Cully, a farmer of township 16, range 11; Thomas married Miss Sally Weston, and operates a tile factory in Christian County; Elizabeth married George H. Jordan, a farmer of Shelby County; Margaret, Mrs. W. H. Foster, is a resident of Jacksonville; John W. married Elizabeth Jolly, and they live on a farm in Shelby County; Addie M. remains at home with her parents; Sarah I. Is the wife of Charles W. Martin, a farmer of this county; George remains at home, also Henry B., the youngest; Lewis E. is a resident of Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. and Mrs. Angel and nearly all of their children are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which our subject officiates as Steward and Trustee. He cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk, and gives his unqualified support to the Democratic party.