SAMUEL Q. MARKLE. During the past twenty years Adams Township has been the field of endeavor of Samuel Quincy Markle, a man of energy and push, who has been influential in business, political and social circles, and who has added materially to the growth and development of this section of Madison County. He belongs to one of the old and honored families of this part of the state, whose members have been noted for their honesty, their integrity, as well as for their prominent connection with commercial, agricultural and professional activities. As a worthy representative of this name, he is worthy of and receives the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
John Markle, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Q. Markle, was a native of New York State, and in young manhood came to Madison County, here becoming a pioneer farmer. He became well known to the citizens of this vicinity, arose to a position of prominence, and eventually the town was named in his honor, Markleville. Among his children was Samuel Markle, the father of Samuel Q. Samuel Markle followed in the footsteps of his father, taking up agricultural pursuits, and followed this vocation throughout a long and honorable career. He married Miss Ann Riggs, and they had a family of eleven children, of whom eight are living in 1913: Laura, who became the wife of Mahlon Maine; Madeline, who is the wife of Jacob Swingle; Loretta, who married Jacob Keesling; Della, who became the wife of Harry Blake; Ella, the wife of D. Fesler; Quincy; James and Henry.
Samuel Quincy Markle, or Quincy Markle as he is better known, was reared on the farm of his birth, situated about one and one-half miles north of Markleville, and there received his education in the district schools. He was reared to the work of the home farm, and as was the custom of farmers’ youths of his day and locality spent the long summer months in assisting his father and brothers on the homestead, his opportunities for an education being limited to the short winter terms in the nearby schools. He was ambitious and industrious, made the most of his chances, and thus acquired a good fund of practical knowledge. In 1892, with his three brothers, James, Henry and Albert, the last-named of whom is now deceased, he entered the sawmill business. None of the brothers at that time had much money to invest, but a small mill was purchased for $400, for a part of which sum they went into debt, and out of this humble beginning has grown the large enterprise that now bears their name. In addition to the large sawmill located near Markleville, they are now the owners of farms near that place, to the east, deal extensively in lumber, and have carried on much profitable contract work. Mr. Markle is recognized by his associates as a shrewd, astute man of business, with the ability to recognize an opportunity, the courage to grasp it, and the business capacity to carry it through to a successful termination. His career has been but ano er example of the successful business man coming from the farm, an through his achievements he has won the right to the title of self-made man.
In 1888, Mr. Markle was united in marriage with Miss Eva J. Van Dyke, and to this union there have been born six children, namely: Merle, Oren, Florence, Agnes, Ward and Paul. Mr. Markle is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, which his wife and children also attend, and which all the members of the family have liberally supported. His fraternal connection is with Markleville Lodge No. 629, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has a number of warm friends. In his political views he is independent, believing in exercising his prerogative of voting for the man he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party lines. His interest in politics has been only that of a good citizen, but he has never withheld his support from any measure or movement which his judgment has told him will eventually work out for the betterment of the community in which he has made his home all of his life. Adams Township has no more representative or popular citizen.