Newton Co., IN Bio Newton County, Jefferson Township. From A History of Warren, Benton, Jasper & Newton Counties, 1883. JOHN B. CHESEBROUGH was born in Decatur, Otsego County, New York, July 12, 1835. His parents moved from Albany to Otsego County after their marriage, thence to Oneida County, New York, in 1837. John B. was educated in the seminary at Whitesboro, New York. At the age of twelve, he was Captain and part owner of the canal boat, "D.C. Balis," He was in this business about two years. He went to California as one of the company equipped by A. J. Kent at Oriskany, New York, in 1849. On arrival of the company in California, they repaired to the mining districts. There the company engaged in mining for about six weeks, when they disbanded and divided the stocks. J. B. Chesebrough and W. R. Fowler returned to Sacramento City, and engaged in business with the firm, the firm name then changing to Kent, Fowler & Co. After six or eight months, they were burned out, and sustained a loss of $150,000, no insurance. But they built again and continued the business for about two years. About this time, Chesebrough & Kent bought the bark, Anna Welsh, Capt. Rider. J.B. Chesebrough engaged as supercargo, and engaged in trade between San Francisco and China. The first trip the vessel made to China, on its return brought the first Chinese that ever came to America as a colony. While engaged in business, Mr. Chesebrough visited the ports of Hong Kong, Whampoa, Canton and Shanghai. The firm sold their vessel to a mandarin, and Mr. Chesebrough returned to New York, where he remained about one year, and then came west with A.J. Kent to locate lands, after which he went back to New York. He finally came to Indiana in 1855, and engaged in business with Mr. Kent, farming and stock raising, where he has remained ever since. The past seventeen years he has been engaged in merchandising. In the fire of 1870, he was burned out--loss $13,000, time twenty minutes, insurance none. At the time Mr. Chesebrough was engaged in business for himself. After the fire, he built a brick store, and engaged again in business After remaining two years in business, he sold out to A.J. Kent, but continued to manager of his business to the time of Mr. Kent's death. Since, he has been manager of the mercantile business of the firm of John A. Kent & Co. In 1857, he was married to Miss Allie Hogle, of Genesee County, New York. They were married at Iroquois, Illinois, since which time they have been residents of Newton County. Mr. Chesebrough was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held eight successive terms. He was Treasurer of the Kentland School Board for several years. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is Knight Templar of St. John's Commandery, Logansport, Indiana. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted By Gerald Born Email - Wizzofozl0@aol.com