JOSEPH NARIGAN

NARIGAN

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 17:28:56

JOSEPH NARIGAN was born in Harrison county, Ohio, August 27, 1840, son of Nicholas and Mary (Willson) Narigan, both natives of Pennsylvania, the latter a daughter of John Willson. Grandfather Narigan was of German descent, was a Revolutionary soldier, and was one of the first settlers of Harrison county, Ohio. Joseph was the fifth born in a family of three sons and three daughters. One of these, William, a member of Company E, Eightieth Ohio Infantry, was killed at Missionary Ridge by a ball which entered his left side. He died a few moments later, aged twenty-two years. The father died in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. His whole life was passed of a farm. He was a Christian man, and in politics a Democrat. His widow is now a resident of that county and is eighty-eight years old. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a devoted Christian woman.

His father a farmer, the subject of our sketch was brought up at farm work and was educated in the common schools. On December 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served with bravery during the war. He was in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Raymond, Jackson and the siege of Vicksburg. He was wounded at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, while in the act of lifting his brother who was dying. The ball, entering his right side broke three ribs and his shoulder blade. He was taken to the field hospital on the Tennessee river, where he remained for two weeks; thence to the hospital at Chattanooga. At the latter place he lay on his back for nine months and suffered untold agonies. He was granted a furlough of thirty days, but as he was so weak and could only travel slowly the time expired before he reached home. He then spent three weeks in the hospital at Huntsville, from there he went to Nashville and then to Columbus, Ohio; thence he went home, and afterward to Dennison, Ohio. He was honorably discharged September 22, 1864.

In 1867 Mr. Narigan went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he spent a short time; thence to Marion county, Iowa. In 1871 he settled on the farm of 140 acres in section 33, Douglas township, Adams county, where he still resides. This farm with its good buildings and well cultivated fields presents the appearances of thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Narigan was married, in Bushnell, Illinois, to Miss Adelaide Humphrey. She was born in Ohio, daughter of David and Malinda (Nugen) Humphrey, and before her marriage was an efficient and popular teacher. They have eight children, namely: Nelly, Florence and Mary Belle, both successful teachers of Adams county; William, Jacob Oscar, Addie May, Susanna, John Milton and David Humphrey. Politically Mr. Narigan is a Republican. He is a charter member of the Meyerhoff Post, G. A. R., and Surgeon of the Post.