Source: History of the Eel River Christian Conference (1936), pp. 81-82

REV. JESSE FANNIN

Was born in Wayne county, Indiana, November 9, 1820. In 1836, at the age of 10, he with his parents, Rev. Bryant Fannin and wife, came to Wabash county and settled on a farm near North Manchester, where he grew to manhood. The country was new and thinly settled when the Fannin's came to their new home, but they were not discouraged with the task before them, and the beautiful and productive country as it exists now, they helped to make. Oh! what changes have been wrought since those days!

Rev. Fannin was married to Miss Dimy Nichols, February 14, 1843, and to them were born three sons and four daughters. He was converted and united with the church when but fifteen years old. He first became a member of Eel River Conference as a licentiate in 1850, he did considerable pioneering for several years for the Christian church, and then transferred his membership to the United Brethren church and labored with them until about the year 1857, when he again became a member of Eel River Conference and was ordained at the annual session held at Merriam in 1870.

The death of his wife on June 18, 1881, was to him, the greatest sorrow of his life. Remaining a widower and living with his children for about six years, he was married the second time to Mrs. Anna Horner on September 201, 1887, who survived him at the time of his death. Rev. Fannin was a pioneer preacher and did faithful work as a minister for over fifty years. He was firm in what he believed to be right, and did much good in the cause of Christ. He did much in assisting in revival meetings, the cause of temperance, and in pioneering mission work, but never became an active pastor.

He died at his home near North Manchester, January 14, 1902, at the advanced age of 81 years, loved and revered by all who knew him. Rev. Samuel Snider of the United Brethren church (a neighbor) conducted his funeral, his remains were interred in Fairview cemetery near Servia, Indiana.