From the book Journey into the Past - History of Olive Township, Elkhart Co., IN)

John J. Firestone born 1859 in Elkhart County, and raised in Olive Township. He was the second son of Jonathan and Catherine (Peffley) Firestone. (p 306)

In 1872, John Firestone was listed with students in the First Brick one room school who did not fall below 80 in deportment and recitation. (p 407)

John J. Firestone published the first issue of the Wakarusa Express newspaper on March 10, 1881. (p 68)

At eighteen years of age, John became the printer's "devil" for the Wakarusa Sun. When nineteen, he and his partner attempted to buy the Sun, a challenge lasting mere weeks. After his stint at the Sun, he founded the Syracuse Express, shish lasted eleven weeks. He claimed he could not print a paper for 81 subscribers. Apparently the Wakarusa Express faird only slightly better as he printed this newspaper for twenty-four weeks before moving his family and printing press to Argos, Indiana to start the Reflector. By 1887, John, wife and two children were living in Sturgis, Michigan, where he was the editor of the Sturgis Democrat. He subsequently moved to Colon, Michigan and apublished a paper there. (p 3073

Birth* 1859 Elkhart Twp., Elkhart Co., IN.1,2

Census* 1860 1860 Federal Census, Indiana, Elkhart County, Jackson Township, Series: M653, Roll: 256, Page: 504, July 29

(enumerated with father, Jonathan Firestone)

26, 496, 496, Firestone, John, 1, M, , , , , Ind, , , , ,1

Census 1870 1870 Federal Census, Indiana, Elkhart County, Olive Township, Series: M593, Roll: 311, Page: 433B, June 9

(enumerated with father, Jonathan Firestone)

20, 22, 22, Firestone, John, 11, M, W, , , , Indiana, , , , , 1, , , , ,4