MRS. NANCY ANN (TAYLOR) RAILSBACK, widow of John S. Rails back, who was a prosperous farmer of Jackson township up to the time of his death, which occurred in this township August 22, 1906, was born March 16, 1854, in Monroe county, Indiana, the daughter of John C. and Mary E. (Bennett) Taylor. The father was born in 1832 in Davis county, Indiana, and died in 1871. He was buried in the Liberty cemetery north of Shelburn. Mrs. Railsback is the oldest of twelve children in her parents' family, born in the following order: Nancy Ann; Samuel, residing in Curry township; Robert, residing in Sullivan; Richard, living in Curry township; Sarah J. (Mrs. Wood), residing in Curry township; Molly (Mrs. Martin), resides in Sugar Creek township, Vigo county, Indiana, and Dora, residing with her mother in Curry township. The remaining five children of this family are now deceased.
Nancy Ann Taylor was united in marriage to John S. Railsback January 17, 1875. He was born November 8, 1849, in Kentucky, and within Nelson county. He was the son of Lewis D. and Delithia J. (Reynolds) Railsback, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and both now deceased. They were energetic farmers throughout their active lives. John S. Railsback came to Sullivan county with his parents in 1853, and they located in Curry township. After the marriage of John S. to Miss Taylor they leased a farm in Curry township and continued as renters until 1880, when they purchased a farm containing forty acres, where Mrs. Railsback now resides, the same being three miles north of Hymera. Her sons now carry on the farming operations there for her. Her husband was a staunch Democrat in his political affiliations, and served his township as assessor one term and was deputy assessor several terms, and was supervisor of roads. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Railsback were twelve in number, of whom nine are still living: Ira B., born in the autumn of 1875, died in January, 1903, leaving a wife but no issue; Ola Etta, born 1877, married Elvis Earl Maratta, residing in Jackson township, and they are the parents of three children-Logan E., Chester A. and Wayne B.; Dora, born December 23, 1880, wedded Otto Miller, a resident of Vigo county; Lottie V., born August 8, 1881, is unmarried and teaching school; Charles R., born December 14, 1882, married Miss Stella Ridgeway and has the farm and mines coal. He is the owner of seventy-one acres of land; John C., born May 14, 1884, is still at home and works the home farm; Claudia T., born August 24, 1885, is at home; Dolpha, born June 12, 1887, is at Terre Haute; Lessie A., born November 20, 1888, is attending high school at Hymera; Molly B., born November 28, 1890, died in April, 1897; Lona F., born December 5, 1894, now attends the public school. One also died in infancy. Mrs. Railsback is a consistent member of the Christian church.