Jesse Stanley was born September 20, 1852, in Grant county, Indiana, and is the younger of two children born to Evan and Mary Jane (Vincent) Stanley. The family are of English extraction, but the immediate ancestors of Mr. Stanley were from North Carolina and Delaware. Evan Stanley was born near Elizabeth City, North Carolina, about the year 1817, and was but a lad when he came with his parents to southern Indiana. He entered the home of a gentleman by the name of Gillen and worked for him many years, receiving a meager education from the common schools. In 1837 he came to this county and entered eighty acres of land from the government. Two years later two more tracts of forty acres each were entered, and the three deeds, signed by Martin Van Buren, one in 1838 and two in 1840, are now in the possession of Mr. Stanley. These are the original sheepskin deeds and are a valued possession, inasmuch as they are very scarce, few being left at the present day. The first eighty acres are included in the present estate of the subject, never having been out of the family since they were entered.

        A clearing was made and a log house erected in the forest, where the inhabitants could listen to the beautiful feathered songster or to the noiser, if less musical, wolf as he roamed the timber in search of food. Deer were also plentiful and often furnished their table with a toothsome repast. It has been said that the luxuries of yesterday are the comforts of to-day and the necessities of tomorrow, but that can scarcely be said of venison, for it was so often an article of diet that the frontier became exceedingly tired of it, while to-day it commands a fabulous price because of its rarity. Railroads had not yet knocked for admittance to the state and the material from which most of to-day's improvements are made were locked in nature's storehouse, unhewn from the timber or delved from the earth.

        Evan Stanley was united in matrimony with Miss Mary Jane Vincent, a native of Delaware, who was born about 1819 and died April 1, 1869. One son (Jesse) and one daughter were born to them, the daughter, Margretta, being the elder. She is the wife of William S. Russel, a prominent farmer residing in Blackford county. Mrs. Stanley was a devoted member of the New Light church and a woman of fervent Christian character. Evan Stanley departed this life in 1878 and was laid beside his wife in the Jefferson township cemetery, their resting place designated by a neat and tasty monument erected by their son.

        Jesse Stanley was reared to manhood in this vicinity and attended the old log schoolhouse which was two miles and one-half from his home. He early exhibitied a fondness for agriculture and assisted his father cultivating his fields, remaining with him until the death of the latter. Four years later, in 1882, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Wise, daughter of Jacob Wise, whose biography is given on another page. She was born and reared in this county, where her family are among the most prominent and desirable citizens, her birth occurring October 13, 1859. The young couple began their married life on the old homestead in the little cabin in which our subject was born. They bought out the other heirs to the estate, going in debt to the amount of sixteen hundred dollars in order to do so, and every energy was exerted to the utmost to clear off this indebtedness. In 1884 they built a large barn, and the year following the little cabin was superseded by the commodious, conveniently arranged residence which is now their home. Other improvements have been added from time to time and also eighty acres of land, giving them a farm of two hundred and forty acres. They have in contemplation still other improvements, one of which is a large barn for sheep, which is to be built in the shape of a "T," the main part to be 18x58, and the "T" 18x20. He has been very successfully engaged in sheep-growing and has a large flock of Shropshires which bring him good returns. Their industry and the practical management of their business have placed them in independence and their property free from indebtedness. Six children were born to them, five of whom are living. One son has preceded them to the world of light above. Four sons and a daughter reside at home, namely: Clinton, Retta May, Clarence, John and an infant unnamed. They are all students and it is the wish of their parents to give them the advantage of a good education to better prepare them for their various walks in life.

        Mr. Stanley is a stanch Democrat in politics, yet in local elections he regards the man rather than the party, and the candidate best fitted to serve the people in the discharge of his duties is the one who receives our subject's support. He has been chosen delegate to the county conventions, but has not aspired to office, as his personal affairs have received his close attention leaving little time for public service. The welfare of the public is always close to the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, and their support and material aid given to worthy cause. Although not members of the church they have been liberal in their aid to the different denominations and are people who help to make up the better element in the community. Conscientious and loyal to the right, they have won the respect and good will of all who know them for their kindly natures and upright lives.