LIVENGOOD-Valentine E. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Valentine E. LIVENGOOD, attorney-at-law With a strong, healthy and vigorous intellect, a capacity for logical reasoning and sound judgment, it is not to be wondered at that, though still young, Mr. Livengood has distinguished himself in the practice as a conscientious and capable adviser. He possesses remarkable aptitude for dealing in a practical and eminently successful way with the issues involved in general litigation and his care and conservatism in reaching conclusions in accordance with which he advises his clients were noted early in his professional career, as was also the fact that he was seldom in error in his constructions of the law or applying it to cases at bar. Mr. Livengood was born in Jackson Township Fountain County, Indiana June 22, 1859, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth DAY Livengood, the former of whom was born in NC and the latter in Indiana, their marriage taking place in Parke County of this state. Solomon Livengood became a resident of Indiana in 1834 and with his parents settled in Fountain County, their names being Thomas and Mary SHULER Livengood. Solomon was but a child at that time, but is still residing near the farm on which his parents settled and is now about 60 years of age. Valentine E. Livengood assisted his father on the farm until he was about 17 at which time he entered the Normal College at Valparaiso, from which he graduated in the class of 1880. But in the meantime for two years he was also at Ladoga Academy. At the early age of 16 he had begun teaching school and he followed this occupation off and on for 5 years in the neighborhood in which he resided. With the money thus gained he paid his way through college and in 1881 for one year he was principal of the Hillsboro school, in which capacity he showed himself to be an able and successful educator and a fine disciplinarian. Following this he was Supt. of the schools of Covington for 5 years but during this time a great deal of his spare time has been devoted to the study of law and in 1887 he was admitted to the bar and soon after began the practice of that profession, entering upon his work with the advantages of a liberal education and a natural aptitude for his chosen calling. Mr. Livengood formed a partnership with JA Lindley which lasted 3 years and since that time has been alone until recently when he entered into a coparternship with his brother, the style of the firm being Livengood & Livengood. He has established himself in a comfortable and remunerative practice and is looked upon by both the profession and general public as a lawyer of high character and more than ordinary ability. He has been a member of the School Board ever since 1887, and although a Democrat, is not active politically. A cultured, affable and genial gentleman, he gains friends rapidly, attracts clients through his fairness and candor in dealing with them, as well as by reason of his acknowledged legal ability, and has laid the foundation for a highly successful legal career. He was married September 13, 1883, to Miss Ida E. Johnson. a daughter of Hon. James G. Johnson of Montgomery County, Indiana her birth having occurred in the same county. Their union has resulted in the birth of two sons: Aurelian S, who died at age 5 weeks and Forrest E. Mr. Livengood and his wife are members in good standing of the First Presbyterian Church and he is Elder in the same. They move in the highest social circles of Covington and have many warm friends who delight in gathering beneath the shelter of their hospital roof.