Sheriff Charles Lenfesty
Sheriff Lenfesty was born July 27, 1837 and died on January ?, 1900
Sheriff Lenfesty served as Sheriff of Grant County from 1883 to 1884
Sheriff Charles Lenfesty was a prominent Grant County citizen and narrowly won the election of Sheriff by 43 votes. I found a couple of biographies and his obituary.
Charles Lenfesty is a native of Grant County, and the third son of Robert H. and Priscilla B. (Ballenger) Lenfesty, the father a native of Philadelphia and the mother of Woodbury, New Jersey. Robert Lenfesty was of French descent. He came to Indiana in 1835, and was among the early settlers of Grant County, where he lived until his death in 1860. He was a book-binder by trade, at which he worked in Philadelphia for a number of years, but after coming to Grant County he engaged in farming, which vocation he carried on until his death. Charles Lenfesty was born June 27, 1837. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was early taught those lessons of industry and frugality by which his subsequent life has been characterized. His early educational advantages were considerably limited, owing to the poor schools in the country at that time, and the amount of labor he was obliged to do on the farm. He came to Marion in December, 1857, and engaged in the manufacture of earthenware, which business he carried on for five years. At the end of that time he went South in the employ of the Government and from that time until the close of the war was engaged in constructing railroads and building bridges. After severing his connection with the Governement he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign County, Illinois, where he resided for a period of two years. Returning to Grant County in the spring of 1868 he located in Marion, and for thirteen years thereafter did business as a builder and contractor, meeting with encouraging scuess during that period. In 1881 he was elected sheriff of Grant County, making the race as the regular Democratic nominee, and defeating his competitor by a majority of forty-three votes. He proved an efficient official, and filled the position with the satisfaction to his friends and those who opposed his election. Mr. Lenfesty was married, December 27, 1861, to Sarah Vantelburgh of Darke County, Ohio. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lenfesty, namely: Leonore and Frank. Mr. Lenfesty belongs to the Masonic fraternity, I.O.O.F., K. of H., and has voted the Democratic ticket since his twenty-first year. Mrs. Lenfesty is a member of the Methodist church.
harles Lenfesty is a native of Grant County, and the third son of Robert H. and Priscilla B. (Ballenger) Lenfesty, the father a native of Philadelphia and the mother of Woodbury, New Jersey. Robert Lenfesty was of French descent. He came to Indiana in 1835, and was among the early settlers of Grant County, where he lived until his death in 1860. He was a bookbinder by trade, at which he worked in Philadelphia for a number of years, but after coming to Grant County he engaged in farming, which vocation he carried on until his death. Charles Lenfesty was born June 27, 1837. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was early taught those lessons of industry and frugality by which his subsequent life has been characterized. His early educational advantages were considerably limited, owing to the poor schools in the country at that time, and the amount of labor he was obliged to do on the farm. He came to Marion in December 1857, and engaged in the manufacture of earthenware, which business he carried on for five years. At the end of that time he went south in the employ of the Government, and from that time until the close of the war was engaged in constructing railroads and building bridges. After severing his connection with the Government he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign County, Illinois, where he resided for a period of two years. Returning to Grant County in the spring of 1868 he located in Marion, and for thirteen years thereafter did business as a builder and contractor, meeting with encouraging success during that period. In 1881 he was elected Sheriff of Grant County, making the race as the regular Democratic nominee, and defeating his competitor by a majority of forty-three votes. He proved an efficient official, and filled the position with satisfaction to his friends and to those who opposed his election. Mr. Lenfesty was married December 27, 1861, to Sarah Vantelburgh, of Darke County, Ohio. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lenfesty, namely: Lenore and Frank. Mr. Lenfesty belongs to the Masonic fraternity, I.O.O.F., K. of H., and has voted the Democratic ticket since his twenty-first year. Mrs. Lenfesty is a member of the Methodist Church.
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Marion Semi Weekly Chronicle 1-5-1900
DEATH OF CHARLES LENFESTY
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Expired Wednesday Night at His Home on Adams Street
Charles Lenfefsty, one of Marion’s prominent and well-known citizens, died Wednesday night at his home at 711 South Adams street, after an illness extending over a period of several months. The funeral will take place Friday at 2 o’clock from the family residence. The remains will lie in state Friday morning from 9 until 12 o’clock.
Charles Lenfesty was a native of Grant county, and the third son of Robert H. and Priscilla B. (Ballenger) Lenfesty, the father a native of Philadelphia and the mother of Woodbury, N.J. Robert H. came to Indiana in 1835, and was among the early settlers of Indiana. His son, Charles, was born June 27, 1837. He grew to manhood on his father’s farm. His early education was limited, owing to the poor schools in the country at that time and the amount of labor that he was obliged to do on the farm. He came to Marion in 1857 and engaged in the manufacture of earthen war, which business he carried on for five years. At the end of that time he went south in the employment of the government and from that time until the close of the war he engaged in constructing railroads and building bridges. After severing his connection with the government he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign county, Ill., where he resided for a period of two years. Returning to Grant county in the spring of 1868 he located in Marion, and for thirteen years did business as a builder and contractor. In 1882 he was elected sheriff of Grant county, making the race as the regular Democratic nominee, and defeating his opponent by forty-three votes. He proved an efficient official, and filled the position with satisfaction to his friends and political opponents.
Mr. Lenfesty was married December 27, 1861 to Miss Sarah Vantelburgh of Darke county, Ohio. Two children were born to them, Lenore, who is now the wife of C. C. Hiatt, and FrankFrank Lenfesty. For several years Mr. Lenfesty has worked with his brother, William Lenfesty, in developing the Marion Real Estate addition to the city of Marion. For over two years he has been ill, and for the last six months has been confined to the house.
Daily Leader 1-4-1900
PROMINENT MAN DEAD
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Charles Lenfesty Passed Away at His Home in This City
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Chas. Lenfesty, aged 62 years, died last night shortly before 9 o’clock at his home, 711 South Adams street. Over a year ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis, which finally caused his death. He has been confined to his bed for about ten weeks. Mr. Lenfesty was born in Grant county, and has lived here most of his life. He was a prominent democrat and was well known over the county. In 1882 he as elected sheriff by the democrats and served one term in that office. In later years he has been a contractor. The deceased leaves two children, Mrs. C. C. Hiatt and Frank C. Lenfesty. The remains will lie in state to-morrow from 9 till 12 o’clock. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon from the residence at 2 o’clock, followed by burial in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
