Born in Pennsylvania, John Nincehelser married the former Hannah Longabough, and after moving from state to state for a number of years, the Nincehelsers settled in Wayne Township in Champaign County, Ohio, near the community of Cable.
The magnificent new residence was built primarily to impress his new bride, but the couple did not live long in the house: Mrs. Nincehelser deserted her husband after just a few years of marriage.