David Enoch

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM 

pg 847, 848

 

                 DAVID ENOCH.  An attractive rural home in Clark County is owned by David ENOCH, who is one of the Trustees of German Township, now serving his second year in that capacity.  He resides on section 4, where he owns sixty acres of well-tilled land.  He was born in this county, January 31, 1825, and has lived in this State the greater part of his life.  Twenty years were spent in Illinois, but he returned here determined to make this his abiding place during the remainder of his life.  He was reared to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of the first half of the century, bearing such a part as was possible to one of his years in the improvement of the country, and in the meantime taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the public schools to acquire an education. 

     The schools of that early day did not embrace, the curriculum taught at this period of time, but in them a solid foundation could generally be laid, upon which a lover of knowledge could build a more extensive structure.  This was done by our subject, who has endeavored to keep abreast of the times in his knowledge of current events and general topics.  He has ever been interested in the growth of his native county in material prosperity and the higher civilization, and willing to aid the enterprises which promise to effect those ends.  He is a Democrat and a member of the Reformed Church.

     Mr. ENOCH has been twice married, the first alliance being consummated in 1850.  His bride was Miss Elizabeth MORRIS, who shared his fortunes until November 28, 1876, when she passed through the valley of the shadow of death.  She left two sons, John and William.  The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Susan STALEY, widow of the late Hugh STALEY, of this county.  She departed this life December 1, 1889.

     The parents of our subject were Henry and Mary (JONES) ENOCH, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia.  Henry ENOCH came to this county with his parents about 1812, and was here reared to manhood amid pioneer scenes.  The family settled on Chapman’s Creek, in the woods of German Township, where they endured some of the hardships to which the early settlers were subjected, Henry ENOCH, who became well known throughout this part of the county by the familiar title of “Colonel,” was a public-spirited, energetic and reliable citizen, whose death was mourned by many friends.  He was a member of the Democratic party.  To him and his good wife nine children were born, of whom the following survive:  David, Mary, John, Esther and Henry, mostly residents of this State.