Washington Polen was married twice:
1. Hester Cooperider, June 2, 1833, Jefferson Co., Indiana
2. Elmira Elizabeth Herod, Dec. 18, 1859, Bartholomew Co., Indiana

The Evening Republican
Columbus, Indiana
Monday, December 11, 1899
Washington Polen, one of the pioneers of Bartholomew county, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Murray, at Indianapolis, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 1899, at 8 o'clock p.m., aged 87 years.

He was born in Henry county, Kentucky, in 1812. He resided in Madison during his early boyhood days, but afterward came to Azalia, this county, where he has since resided. He was for forty-six years a justice of the peace and was a staunch republican.

He was married in 1833 to Miss Hester Cooperider, this union being blessed with twelve children. He was the father of ten children by his second wife, whose name prior to the marriage was Mrs. Almira Betts. In all, he was the father of twenty-two children, fourteen of whom are still living.

The children by his first wife who are still alive are: Mrs. Harriet Barnes, Mrs. Mary Cornelius and Calvin Polen, of Updyke, Ill.; Charles Polen, of Nebraska; Mrs. Martha Smith, of Bellegreene, Ala.; Mrs. Sarah Leigh, of Hazel Dell, Ill.; John Polen, of Indianapolis; Mrs. James Noblitt, of Garden City; William P. Polen, of this city. The children by his second marriage now living are: Mrs. Olive Murray and Mrs. Arilla Martin of Indianapolis; James Polen of Helt's Mill, Ind., and Mrs. Scott Henry and Mrs. W. A. Poland of this city.

The remains passed through here this morning to Jonesville from which point they were taken to Azalia. The funeral took place from the Azalia Methodist church at 11:30 o'clock a. m., Rev. Gruber officiating. Interment at Azalia Methodist cemetery.