Many long years of hard and earnest labor have given Christian E. Slabaugh their proper reward in a prosperity measured by large land holdings and a wealth of community esteem. Mr. Slabaugh is no longer actively identified with farming pursuits, but is still living in his country home in section 10 of Perry Township, 3 ½ miles northwest of Ligonier.
A native of Indiana, he was born in Clay County, September 29, 1846, son of Elias and Mary Slabaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Geramny. His parents were married in Pennsylvania, and coming to Indiana settled in the western part of the state, in Clay County. That was their home for about ten years, but in 1862 they moved to Elkhart County and bought another farm. Several years later they traded for land in Perry township of Noble County, and on that place spent the rest of their days. Elias Slabaugh was a well to do farmer, and had made all his wealth through his own efforts. He was a member of the Dunkard Church and a democrat in politics. Of five children, three are still living: Nancy, wife of John Emmett, of LaGrange Conty; William, who lives in the State of Washington; and Christian E.
Christian E. Slabaugh was six years old when his parents moved to Elkhart County, and he has spent nearly all his life in that and in Noble counties. He had a common school education and lived at home until the age of twenty-one. In 1870 he married Catherine Bowsher, who was born in Perry Township, Noble county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh rented land for one year, and he then bought sixty acres, the nucleus of his steadily increasing estate, which is represented now by the ownership of nearly 900 acres here and elsewhere, including 400 acres of land in New Mexico. He also owns some real estate in Central Colorado. Mr. Slabaugh is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Ligonier and in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator of the same city. He is a democrat and has served as township supervisor.
Mr. and Mrs. Slabaugh have four children: Sidney, of Perry Township; Willard, of Perry Township; Ollie, wife of John Larimer, of the State of Montana; and Ray, of Perry Township.
Christian E. Slabaugh, History of Northeast Indiana, © 1884, Vol. 2, Pg. 10