Research Log

Gentles in Indiana

An Elizabeth (--?--) Gentle died in Indianapolis, Marion County, between 1846 and 1847.  She left a will naming three children: Elizabeth wife of Nicholas Cross, Jane and James.  There is no mention of a husband.  I cannot find her on Find-a-Grave.

A James Gentle of Southport, Marion County wrote his will on July 31, 1900.  There is no probate information given.  He names his wife Eliza, son William M. and probable sons Thomas A. and James M. the last two were named as executors.  James owned a 120 acre farm.  I cannot find James on Find-a-Grave. 



13 Gentles listed in Indiana on Find-a-Grave:

• Edgar b. 1905, d. 1900 Marion Co.
• Evangeline (Manzella) b. 1876, d. 11/30/1966 Wayne Co. wife of Dr. Luther M. Gentle
• John H. b. 7/30/1909, d. 11/15/1989 & wife Regina L. b. 4/6/1914, d. 5/11/1995 Johnson Co. married 11/24/1934
• John Herbert Jr. b. 10/4/1940, d. 11/12/2006 Shelby Co. son of John & Regina (above), married Sharon Rooksby, children: John Herbert III, Kristin K. 
• Jane md. (--?--) David daughter of John H. & Regina L above
• Josephine G. (Thomas)  d. 9/30/1862 Parke Co. wife of Ezekiel, daughter of J. & R.M. Thomas
• Julia d. 3/17/1908 Marion Co.
• Laura (St. Clair) b. 1871, d. 4/30/1905 Wayne Co.
• Martha b. 11/4/1884, d. 3/12/1944 Henry Co.
• Mary b. 1913, d. 2001 Marion Co.
• Minnie d. 1892 Marion Co.
• Samuel H. b. 1/5/1889 Michigan, d. 3/1838 St. Joseph Co.
• William J. b. 1902, d. 1902 Franklin Co.

1850 Indiana Census

Elizabeth b. ca. 1787 PA, Parke Co. - our Elizabeth (Shepherd) Gentle, living with her daughter and son-in-law Thomas Akers
Jane b. ca. 1811 France, Marion Co.
Vincent b. ca. 1812 France, Marion Co.
James b. ca. 1820 Scotland, Indianapolis
Lewis b. ca. 1833 IN, Parke Co. - son of William & Elizabeth (Shepherd) Gentle
Arthur b. ca. 1834 OH, Marion Co.
Alfred b. ca. 1837 OH, Marion Co. 
Amanda b. ca. 1840 OH, Marion Co.

1860 Indiana Census

Eliza Gentle, b. ca. 1790 MD, Parke Co. - our Elizabeth (Shepherd) Gentle, living with her daughter and son-in-law Thomas Akers
James b. ca. 1822 Scotland, Marion Co.
Eliza b. ca. 1837 St. JNB [St. John, New Brunswick?], Marion Co.
Thos. A. b. ca. 1856 IN, Marion Co.
James M. b. ca. 1858 IN, Marion Co.
Jane b. ca. 1835 IN, Marion Co.
Arthur b. ca. 1835 France, Marion Co.
Amos b. ca. 1855 IN, Marion Co.
Vincent b. ca. 1858 IN, Marion Co.

1870 Indiana Census

James b. ca. 1820 Scotland, Marion Co.
Eliza b. ca. 1833 New Brunswick, Marion Co.
Thomas b. ca. 1857, IN, Marion Co.
James b. ca. 1859 IN, Marion Co.
Catherine b. ca. 1860 IN, Marion Co.
John b. ca. 1861 IN, Marion Co.
Arthur b. ca. 1863 IN, Marion Co.
William b. ca. 1863 IN, Marion Co.
Benjamin b. ca. 1865 IN, Marion Co.
Luke M. b. ca. 1865 IN, Marion Co.
Robert b. ca. 1867 IN, Marion Co.
Robert b. ca. 1867 IN, Marion Co.
Horace B. ca. 1869, IN, Marion Co.

Looks like the Marion County Gentles are not kin to our William Gentle.  The elders were born in Scotland and France and we have no evidence that William was an immigrant.