636     HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
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1849 died of cholera, supposed to have been brought from New
York by some German immigrants. He was one of the first
abolitionists in this part of the country, and voluntarily gave his
inherited slaves their freedom, and moved to Indiana. George
M., as will be seen, was raised an orphan, his father dying when
he was but four years old. Notwithstanding his early orphanage
he educated himself and became a teacher in the public schools,
which he followed for seven years. However he moved to Jack-
son County in 1853, and has lived there ever since. After he
quit teaching he became a clerk in Medora, which he followed
until 1877, when he began business for himself as grocery man
and manufacturer of cider, wine and vinegar, this business being
known as the Apex Wine, Cider and Vinegar Company. He was
the first to start the crab apple industry in Jackson County. He
is the inventor of some very valuable patents, and has made
twelve applications to the Government for patents. Among his
patents are the "fruit crate," patented in 1869; the "drift-wheel,"
patented in 1880, for the protection of bridge piers, and is a very
ingenious, as well as important invention. Mr. Fenley has been
trustee of Carr Township two terms. He is a member of the
Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. in 1863 he was married
to Miss Alice Sulivan, daughter of Lemuel Sulivan, of Jackson
County. She died in 1877. To them were born two children:
Daniel M. and Mary M. (deceased). In 1879 he was again mar-
ried to Mrs. Early, daughter of William B. Deckart, of Lawrence
County, and widow of the late Samuel Early, of Medora. Mr.
Fenley is a genius of high order, and has led a life of more than
usual interest, and is, withal, a gentleman of refinement and cult-
ure.
 
ALLEN GOSS is another instance, so often observed in our
Western country, of a man starting in life with his good health
and lessons of frugality his only capital, and becoming a leading
citizen in his chosen occupation. He is farming on a large scale,
owning about 1,400 acres of land, and shipping annually a great
deal of stock. He was born in Owen Township, Jackson County,
and is the sixth of a family of eleven children born to Joseph
and Darkes A. (Rust) Goss. They came from North Carolina
about 1812, and first settled in Washington County, Ind.,