Jonathan Alder

Jonathan Alder, was born in Maryland in 1773 and a few years later he and his family moved to western Virginia in Wythe County. Several years after that, his father Bartholomew died leaving his wife and 5 sons to fend for themselves on the western frontier, living in a log cabin, some horses and other livestock. Two years later, Jonathan and his older brother David went looking for some of their horses that were missing. The two brothers found the horses, but before they could head back to their cabin 5 indians overtook them. David was killed in the attack and Jonathan was taken prisoner. Thus began a journey for Jonathan Alder that would last 29 years living with the Mingo tribe in Ohio.

While these events were not unique, they weren't. A number of children were kidnapped by indians and raised as indians. What makes Jonathan Alder's story different is that he survived many life-threatening ordeals, was witness to many of the events in our state's early history and he conveyed these experiences in a biography of his life that he dictated to his son Henry.

After leaving his adopted indian family of Mingos in 1804, Jonathan Alder moved down to a small tract of land along the Big Darby River in Madison County. Later he went back to find his mother and his surviving brothers still living in Viriginia. After spending several years there, he fell in love with Mary Blont, who he would later marry. Together, many of his family moved back to Central Ohio. Jonathan and Mary had 12 children.

Jonathan died in 1849 at the age of 79 and is buried in the Foster Cemetery. His log cabin was located a mile north of there, but was moved to London, Ohio and is in the Madison County Historical Society Museum at 260 E. High St., London, Ohio 43140.