Joseph M. Drybread, a native of Indiana, and one of the successful farmers of Nineveh Township, was born March 17, 1839. He is the son of William and Nancy (Charlton) Drybread. The father was born October 21, 1799, of German descent. Our subject’s grandfather, George Drybread, was of German descent, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1785, he removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where he remained until 1798, then to Indiana territory, and settled in what is now Dearborn County, where our subject’s father was born. The mother was a native of Ohio, born October 10, 1808, and is a daughter of James and Mary (Passomore) Charlton. Our subject’s parents were married in Hamilton County, Ohio, December 7, 1826. The father became a member of the Christian Church about six years before his death, which occurred April 29, 1885. The mother is still living on the old homestead in Bartholomew County. Our subject received a good common school education in the old log schoolhouse. His youthful days were spent on his father’s farm in his mother state. His occupation has always been that of a farmer, and in connection with farming, he has given a great deal of his time to stock-raising and grazing. In August, 1862, he answered his country’s call, and enlisted in Company I, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and was with his regiment in all its battles until after the battle of Lookout Mountain, where he was taken sick and had to return home, where he remained. October 17, 1866, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Wheatley, a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Cone) Wheatley; the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of native of Ohio. This union was blessed with two children: May, born August 22, 1867, and William N., July 27, 1870. The mother of these children was born June 1, 1850. He and his wife and daughter are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is an ardent republican, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln. He now owns 800 acres of fine land which is under a good state of cultivation.