Martinsville Republican, August 3, 1871.
JOHN SKAGGS
Died Sunday, July 30, 1871, at his residence near the Cross Roads in Greene Township, John Skaggs in the seventy-first year of his age. Few of the old citizens of Greene Township have been so well or more favorably known than this remarkable man and his esteemed widow who is also in her seventy- first year.

In a late conversation with him, we learned that in the morning of life, soon after their marriage, they left their native home in Kentucky and migrated to the wilds of Indiana. Stopping for a few years in Jackson County, 46 years ago they came to this county, entered and settled upon lands opened and improved the farm upon which he lived at the time of his decease. At this period, there were really no farms in that part of the county only a few acres cleared in little patches around the cabins of the settlers. Among the few neighbors then living near him, Hiram T. Craig is the only housekeeper now living; that he could call to mind William and Jonathan Williams, Grant Stafford and others who are all dead.

For several years Mr. Skaggs had to go to Jackson County and to Blue River to mill. He often had to go five and six miles to ask hands to roll logs and to help them in return. He thought that the friendliest classes of people lived here then that ever did live. Ask a man to do a favor and it would be done at whatever sacrifice.

The people were nearly all poor, and it took years of patient toll to open a farm. His object in coming to a new country was to procure land that he might become the owner of a good farm upon which to live, and whereupon to support his family. He said Providence had blessed his labors through life.

He had raised a family of nine children all living, married and doing well. Always living in peace with his neighbors, he never had a serious difficulty or never was sued for debt of his own, has had to pay several security debts. Though in feeble health, Mr. Skaggs conversed with perfect freedom, and seemed to contemplate the close of life with the security of a Christian. He said he had long been a member of the Protestant Methodist Church and was perfectly resigned to the will of the Maker.

Such was John Skaggs. An affectionate husband and father, he died without an enemy in the world and in hope of a blissful immortality. His aged widow and family have our sympathy In their bereavement.
--by Darlina 2004∼Married to Edna Ennis.
--from merge 12-12-23 with suffix.