Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana – 1918
Tyndall & Lesh, Pages 850 & 851

CHARLES B. POLING

Charles B. Poling was brought to Adams County when a mere child, has lived here all his adult career, and has made a good record as a former teacher, as a practical farmer and business man. His name stands equally high as a citizen who supports and can be depended upon for those movements and enterprises which reflect public good.

He was born in Hocking County, Ohio, April 9, 1862, a son of Abel G. and Sarah J. (Moffit) Poling. His father was a native of Hocking County and his mother of Pennsylvania. After their marriage in Ohio they lived on a farm in Hocking County until 1866, when they brought their family to Adams County and first located in Washington Township. Later they bought eighty acres in Kirkland Township and that was their home during the rest of their active years. The father finally retired to Decatur where he died in October, 1901. His wife passed away March 3, 1891. Abel Poling was prominently identified with the Washington Methodist Episcopal Church, serving it as class leader, trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday school. Politically he was a republican. He had seven children, and five are still living: Arminda E., wife of William Russell of Fort Wayne; Miss Maggie; Charles B.; Robert W. and John W., twins, the former of Decatur and the later of Dunkirk, Indiana; and the son Levi died December 5, 1917.

Charles B. Poling was old enough to have a few conscious recollections of the removal of the family from Ohio to Adams County. He grew up at the home of his father, attended the district schools, and was trained for a teacher in the county normal school. While living at home he taught school for eleven years.

On March 27, 188, Mr. Poling married Ida K. Parish. She is a native of Adams County and was born on the farm where she now resides April 6, 1865. She also had a public school education and attended the county normal, and for about three terms was a teacher. After their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Poling rented land for a year, then bought a farm near their present place, and from it came to the old Parish farm where they now reside. This is located on Rural Route No. 5, 4 ½ miles southwest of Decatur. The Poling farm consists of 101 2/3 acres and is one of the highly productive places of that community. Mr. Poling has had much success in the breeding of registered hogs and sheep. They are the parents of three children: Rolland G., at home; Mary N., a graduate of the Decatur High School and also at home; and D. Merle, who went from the Decatur High School into the Angola Normal School and has been successful as a teacher. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Poling is a trustee and class leader. He belongs to the Adams County Detective Association and is a republican in politics.