Newton County.
EDGAR L. FRESHER, farmer, was born September 7. 1844. in Newark. Kendall Co., Ill., and is a son of Lot and Eliza (Gridley) Fresher, both natives of New York. The father was a farmer and mechanic; he died in February, 1874, at the age of sixty-one. These parents came from New York to Kendall County, Ill., in 1843; they had three; children—William II., Sarah E. and Edgar L. They were members of the Baptist Church; in politics, he was a Republican. The mother makes her home with Edgar's family, is in good health, and will in a few months reach the allotted time— threescore years and ten. Edward L. had for employment in his early days working on the farm and in the machine shop. He is a natural mechanic, and runs and owns a steam thresher and sheller. He was married, December 20, 1865, to Miss Melissa S. Watson, late of La Salle County, Ill., but formerly of Connecticut. Her parents are Joseph L. and Elsie A. (Phillips) Watson. To Edgar L. and Melissa S. Fresher is born one child — Josie Lot. In politics, he is a Republican. He lived one year in Kentland, after coming to this county in September, 1867. He has been very successful in business, having had a small start, and was unfortunate in the beginning; he is classed among the thrifty, progressive farmers of the county. He has a beautiful home, handsome residence, good barns, and finely laid out yard, dotted with beautiful evergreens. His farm is well improved, reflecting much credit upon its proprietor, and is the result of his own hard labor.
Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana, Historical and Biographical, Illustrated, published by F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1883; Pgs. 739-740
