My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. CHRISNEY, born August 13, 1841, in Alsace, France, is the oldest son, and the oldest but one in a family of six children born to Pharaoh and Margaret (Putts) Chrisney, who were natives respectively of Alsace and Strasburgh, Germany, the latter place at the time of the mother’s birth being in France. The parents were industrious, law-abiding citizens, but believing that the United States afforded a much better living for poor people, and firmly believing in the principals that led to the founding of this Government, they determined to make it their future home. Accordingly, March 1, 1847, they left France, and shipping on board a sailing vessel at Havre de Grace, bound for New York, set forth. They encountered many adverse storms, and were driven from their course many miles, but with numerous other discouraging features succeeded in landing at their destination in safety, after an eventful voyage of fifty-six days. From New York they went as far as Buffalo, when their means were exhausted, and they remained at that place two years, while the father supported the family, and saved some money by wood-chopping. Two years later they again started westward, this time getting as far as Floyd County, Ind., before their money again ran out. Two years later they removed to Crawford County, Ind., and entering land from the Government, engaged in clearing and farming. The father passed the remainder of his life on the farm he selected, but his widow is yet living, and resides in this county. John B. Chrisney, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared by his parents to manhood, receiving only a limited education in youth, which has been greatly increased in the later years by desultory reading and personal observation. At eighteen years of age he started out to do for himself, and November 3, 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fella, by whom he is the father of seven children: Joseph C., John P., Louisa M. (deceased), Martha C., Francis W., Thomas E. and Mary S. The mother was born at New Albany, Ind., April 11, 1841, a daughter of Casper Fella, who was a native of Germany. Mr. Chrisney began life’s battle a poor boy, buying 160 acres of land for $1,500, and giving a mortgage for the entire amount. By the closest economy and hard work, early and late, he was enabled, with his wife’s valuable aid, to clear his property of incumbrance, and thus his first home was obtained. In December, 1864, he sold his farm, and in 1865 removed to Spencer County, and purchased a tract of land, where he now resides. He here farmed, dealt extensively in tobacco and produce, and to a great extent has ever since continued that business. The railroad being built directly through his farm the winter of 1871-72, he succeeded in having a station made, a post office established, streets to be laid out, stores to be started, and various industries established. In 1882 the name of the town was changed from Spring Station to Chrisney in his honor, and today it is one of the most thrifty and enterprising little villages in the country. Mr. Chrisney owns valuable property in the town, including a fine residence, hotel and store, and 200 acres of excellent land adjoining the place, and 100 acres elsewhere. This is a brief history of John B. Chrisney, to which can be justly added that he is a self-made man, a leading citizen of the county, a Democrat in politics, and a man well known and highly esteemed throughout the entire county.