Charles Bay was born in Montgomery County, Ky., March 6, 1819, and is the only son of Joseph and Judith (Epperson) Bay, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Until fifteen years of age he resided in his native state, but in 1834 accompanied his father to Johnson County, Ind., where he has since resided. The father died in 1837, while on a visit to Kentucky, and the mother departed this life in Johnson County, in the year 1851. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living, to-wit: the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Nancy Jones, of Illinois. Mr. Bay early chose agriculture for a life work, and has always pursued that calling. He owns a fine farm of 145 acres, in the western part of Blue River Township, and is one of the successful farmers and leading citizens of his community. Mr. Bay has been three times married: first, to Miss Alice Watts, who died in 1850. The children of this marriage were three in number, two now living, viz.: Joseph R. and Israel. Mr. Bay’s second wife was Keturah Chenoweth, who died in 1855, leaving one child, a daughter, Mary A. The third marriage was solemnized with Mrs. Harriett F. Dehart, who has borne five children, two of whom are now living, Laura and Joseph N. Bay.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 400.