LIVENGOOD-James Milton - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

James Milton Livengood who resides on Sect 31, Cain Twp, is a native born son of Fountain County and is calssed among its most worthy citizens. He is a son of the Rev. John P. Livengood and a grandson of Thomas Livengood, both of whom were well known among the pioneer settlers of this county. The Rev. John P. Livengood was born in 1819 in Davidson County, NC, which was also the birthplace of his father. The family, however was of German origin. The grandfather of our subject was a wheelwright by trade, and he also manufactured chairs and reels. He finally left his old home with his family and, coming to Indiana, settled in its primeval forests and made a new home for himself and his dear ones. He first located on land on Sec. 16, Jackson Township, but he afterward purchased land on another section in the same township and there passed his remaining days, clearing a goodly farm with the aid of his children. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and a truly consistent christian. His first wife was Eve Shuler, a daughter of Peter Shuler, a pioneer of the county in which his son-in-law was born. Thomas Livengood's second marriage was with Elizabeth Keeling. Rev. JohN Livengood was the eldest of his father's 17 children. His early years were passed in his native county, and there he obtained his schooling, but he was mainly self-educated. Before he attained manhood he came to this county with his father, and was of great assistance to him in the hard pioneer labor necessitated in hewing out a farm fromt he wilderness. He was of a religious nature, was strongly drawn to the ministry and gave himself to earnest study to qualify himself to preach. He became an influential minister of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church and was active in his holy calling until his death which occurred October 7, 1859, in Montgomery Co, Ind. His mortal remains were deposited in the Lutheran Church Cemetery, Franklin Township. His first wife was Lurana, a daughter of Christian Myers. His second wife was Martha Jane Keeting (sic - believe Keeling) ; his third was Elizabeth M, a daughter of John Gunther (sic - believe Guntle) and his fourth wife was Christina, a daughter of Mathias Sappenfield. By the first marriage there were two children: our subject and his sister, maria J, who was the wife of Michael S. Day. The following children were born of the second marriage: Wilson M. of Jackson Township; William I, deceased; Ephraim A, a resident of Darlington; Thomas R of Jackson Township; and Elizabeth E, who lives on the old Livengood homestead. by the third marriage there was one child born that died in infancy. The children of the fourth marriage are: Mary M, wife of James Burks of Parke County and Charles A. who resides in Parke Co. James M. Livengood, of whom we write, was born Sept. 19, 1841 in Jackson Township. He was reared and educated partly in his native township and partly in Franklin Township, Montgomery county, the family returning to Jackson Twp. after the father died. After his father's death young James began to learn the trade of a blacksmith. For a year after he had acquired his trade he was engaged in making reaping machines. He then went to Jacksonville (Wallace) and was employed there for 7 years. While in that city he became acquainted with Miss Sarah J. Grimes, a daughter of CH Grimes, and the friendship that sprang up between them resulted in marriage. Mrs. Livengood's father was a prominent farmer of Jackson Twp, and one of its early settlers, who had come there from NC. He was active in its public life, serving as Trustee & Assessor and in other official capacities. Mr. and Mrs. Livengood have had six chldren, all of whom are living: William L, who was born Sept 13, 1863 and married Miss Carrie E. Stephenson of Veedersburg; Louella C, who was married to James H. Collins; Flora E. who lives with her parents, Edgar F. and Elsie Pearl. After he left Jacksonville our subject bought 40 acres of land in Cain Twp, which tract is still in his possession and is in a well improved condition, and he has here a comfortable home. He has continued at his trade as a blacksmith and has also operated a sawmill for the past 21 years doing an extensive and profitable business inb oth cases. He is a man of sterling character of shrewd, round-about common sense, who occupies a high place in his community and is identified with various movements calculated to benefit it materially and morally. He is prominent member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and was the first VP of his lodge. He is a leading member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has been one of its Deacons, and has acted as Secretary of the society for many years. Politically, he is an undeniable Democrat.