Pancake Bruce Head M W 50 Married Kansas Indiana Ohio --- Anna Wife F W 46 Married Illinois Germany Illinois --- Lula Daughter F W 23 Single Oregon Kansas Illinois[Bruce and Anna owned their farm free and clear. Bruce's occupation is listed as a "Farmer" of a "general farm".]
ISAAC N. PANCAKE, a veteran of the great Civil war, and an honored citizen of Baker county, in the development of which he has materially aided, was born in Noble county, Indiana, in 1838. His parents, Abraham and Mary (Choup) Pancake, natives of Ohio, were among the first settlers of northern Indiana, where they followed farming until death claimed them. Our subject remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, then enlisted as a non-commissioned officer. He served three years and one month, participating in many hard-fought engagements and skirmishes, one of his superior officers for a part at least of the time being the famed General Lawton, who perished in the Philippine war. At the close of his service our subject was discharged as a color sergeant. Returning home, he remained with his parents about two years, then went to Linn county, Kansas, and engaged in farming, an occupation which continued to engage his energies until 1877, which year is the date of his advent to Pine valley. Arriving in September, he purchased a place two and a half miles north of the present Halfway postoffice, and again under new conditions and surroundings, began farming and stockraising, a business which he has followed energetically and successfully ever since. Thus has he demonstrated that the same conquering force of character which made him a good soldier in war times could enable him to win success in the less dangerous, but sometimes no less arduous, battles of civil life.
Mr. Pancake was married in Indiana in February, 1865, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Cutler) Curtis, natives of Vermont, and to their union seven children were born, Bruce; Lena, wife of William Mills; Vertie, deceased; one that died in infancy; May, wife of Fred Painter; and two others who died in infancy.
Mr. Pancake's father was a leader in Ohio politics, having been twice representative of his district, also one of the first board of county commissioners of his county.
Our subject himself is vitally interested in matters of public concern, especially in the cause of education, which he has promoted by efficiently serving as trustee both in Kansas and where he now lives. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Phil Kearny Post, No. 66, G. A. R.
Updated May 26, 2002