The Weekly Breeze
October 10, 1895

On Tuesday morning, October 8th, at his home in Decatur, Ind., occurred the death of the Hon. Jesse Niblick, at the age of sixty-nine years. The deceased was one of the founders of the city of Decatur and was well known throughout Indiana.

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The Decatur Democrat, Adams Co, IN Friday, October 11, 1895
At Rest - A Life of Usefulness Brought to a Close
On last Sunday evening near 11 o'clock, Jesse Niblick passed away, after about four days of sickness caused by catarrh of the head.
The deceased was born in Carroll county, Ohio, August the 12, 1826. At the age of 10 years his parents moved to Adams county, when this was a wilderness, where he lived with his parents on the farm in section six, of Washington township, where he lived until 1846, when he moved to Decatur where he resided until death claimed him.
Where here he first engaged in the boot and shoe business, and then afterwards in the dry goods business, which he continued until his death.
In the year of 1871, in connection with J. D. Nuttman, of Fort Wayne, started what is now the Old Adams County Bank, of which he was the first president, and afterwards filled other positions in the same institution. During all his busy life he was honored with different offices by his friends. In 1848 he was elected clerk of Washington township, which office he held until the same was abolished. He was then elected trustee of the same township and filled that office until 1865, when he was elected treasurer of the county, which office he filled two terms since which time he has held various offices in the town and city of Decatur.
October 16, 1851, he was married to Catharine Closs, a daughter of John Closs, who was then a resident of this place. To them was born eight children. Seven of who are living, John, William, James, Mary, Amelia, Charlie and Daniel, all of who are living within the city and were present at his death.
His life was a busy one, always ready to help by council or any other way, all who came to him in time of need. No enterprise that he found worth was allowed to pass by without his assistance. The stranger who came to our city, could always find in him one to be trusted.
In his death the city and county loses one of the best and most trusted citizens. While time will dispel the gloom that has settled upon our city by his death, yet his good traits will remain with our people.
His funeral was held Wednesday forenoon, leaving the family residence at 10 o'clock, the services were held at the St. Mary's Catholic church, with the largest concourse of people following that ever was witnessed in this city. The following pall-bearers attended: David Studabaker, Robert B. Allison, John Meibers, Conrad Brake, Ezra Lister, and John Schoen, who bore his remains to the St. Mary's Catholic church, where a glowing tribute was paid to him by Father Wilken from the following text: "And he died in a good age, full of days, and riches, and glory." -Paralipsmens (sic), chap. 29, verse 28.
The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. H. Theo Wilkens, of Decatur, celebrant, Rev. Fred Von Schwedler, of Monroeville, deacon, Rev. F. H. Hiller, sub-deacon, Rev. Ferd Kordt, of Sheldon, master of ceremonies, and Rev. Court Mojey, of Portland.
After which his remains were taken to the new Catholic cemetery and laid to rest. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, coming from loving hearts.
Father Wilken says: He was a support to the St. Mary Catholic church from the beginning until death, on one of the best supporters. He asked for admission into the Catholic church personally. The St. Marys Catholic church will never forget what he has done for her. Peace be to his ashes."
The following person from abroad attended the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Oppenheim, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Al Oppenheim. Mrs. and Mrs. Jas. T. Dailey, of Bluffton; Mrs Nettie Shorb, Mrs. Mary J. Young, Van Wert, Ohio; Messrs. Sol Bash, C. S. Bash, Dick Townsend, Fort Wayne; Mrs. A. B. Morrison, Marion, Ind.; Mr. Jno Eiting, Minster, Ohio.
Card of thanks
We desire to return our heartfelt thanks to our friends and acquaintances for their kindness and sympathy during the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father.

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JESSE NIBLICK, senior member of the firm of Niblick, Crawford
& Sons, of Decatur, is a native of Ohio, born in what is now
Carroll County, August 12, 1826, a son of James and Anna
(Carter) Niblick. His father was a native of Ireland, born
January 19, 1803, and brought to America by his parents, and
was reared to New York City and Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
He was a cooper by trade, which he followed until coming to
Adams County, Indiana, in November, 1836, when he
engaged in farming in Washington Township, near Decatur. In
1869 he removed to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he died a
few weeks afterward at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a
consistent Christian and at his death a member of the ​
Presbyterian church. In politics he affiliated with the
Democratic party, and at different times filled minor offices.
The mother of our subject was of English ancestry, born in
the State of Maryland, and reared in Carroll County, Ohio,
where she was married to Mr. Niblick. She died near Decatur,
August 12, 1838. She was an earnest member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Of the eight children born to the
parents, four still survive - Robert, a farmer of Kirkland
Township; Jesse, our subject; Adaline, wife of James Daily, of
Wells County, Indiana; Mary Jane, wife of Sigmond Openheim,
of Bluffton. Jessie Niblick was but ten year of age when
brought by his parents to Adams County, and here he has
since lived with the exception of one year which he spent in
Fremont, Ohio, attending school, and here he received the
rudiments of his education. In his youth he learned the
shoemaker's trade, and in 1846 engaged in the boot and
shoe business for himself. October 16, 1851, he was married
at Decatur, to Miss Catherine Closs, who was brought from
her native country (Germany) by her parents, John and
Catherine (Sougadiffer) Closs, in her girlhood. Eight children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Niblick, seven of whom are
yet living - William, cashier of the Adams County Bank; John,
a member of the firm of Niblick, Crawford & Sons; James K.,
clerking in a mercantile establishment; Mary; Amelia;
Charles, a bookkeeper in the Adams County Bank, and
Daniel, attending school at Decatur. Mr. Niblick dealt in boots
and shoes until 1866, when he engaged in general
merchandising with John Crawford, under the firm name of
Niblick & Crawford, which business they have since
continued, the firm name being changed to Niblick, Crawford
& Sons, a son of each having been admitted as partners. In
1871 Mr. Niblick, in company with J.D. Nutman, engaged in a
private banking business in the name of the Adams County
Bank, Niblick & Nutman, bankers. David Studabaker and R. B.
Allison afterward became associated with them, when the
bank was duly organized under the State laws, and Mr.
Niblick was elected a director and its first president. He was
succeeded by R. B. Allison as president, Mr. Niblick being
elected vice-president. Being one of the organizers and a
stockholder in the Eagle Manufacturing Company of Decatur,
Mr. Niblick was elected one of its directors. Politically Mr.
Niblick casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. In 1848
he was elected clerk of Washington Township, and from that
year until 1865 he was either clerk of trustee of that
township, and sometimes held both offices at the same time.
In the fall of 1865 he was elected treasurer of Adams County,
and re-elected in 1867, serving in that office four years to the
entire satisfaction of his constituents, and since 1870 has
held the office of village trustee or councilman. He is one of
the prominent and public-spirited citizens of Decatur, and is
always ready to aid in any enterprise which he deems of ​
benefit to his town or county. Mrs. Niblick and her children,
with the exception of William, are members of St. Mary's
Catholic Church at Decatur.
Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co.
Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL, 1887
Mrs. Jesse Niblick and Family