VOLIVA-James H. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

James H. VOLIVA, attorney at law, Newtown was born on the farm which he owns and occupies, one and 3/4 miles southwest of Newtown, March 29, 1836. His parents were William and Margaret (Whitheall) Voliva, who emigrated to this county from North Carolina in 1832, coming in company with Nathan and Jefferson Voliva, Thomas Poyner, Adley Woodhouse and the Whithealls, heads of families and Reddick Hunnings and Thomas Whitheall, young men. At the age of 17 he began teaching school, and pursued this vocation until until 28, teaching winters and farming summers. Until 7 years ago farming was his principal occupation but at that date he turned his attention wholly to law business and has so been engaged since. Mr. Voliva never took a regular course of study in the schools or in an office, but read privately, and before he was 21 had mastered the elementary works on the subject though at this time he had no intention of ever practicing the profession. Nine yeares ago he was admitted to the common pleas bar and shortly afterward was licensed to practice in the circuit court. He makes probate business a specialty and in this department has a very extensive practice, probably the largest in the county. He has been justice of the peace for Richland Twp since 1867; and is an Odd Fellow and Mason and a leading Republican in the community. He was united in marriage with Frances R. Griffith, daughter of James D. Griffith, an early settler of Shawnee Twp Oct 23, 1864. They have six children, fiv living: Horace S, James E, deceased, Wilbur G, Charles E, Arthur and Lelah Belle. Mrs. Voliva is a communicant in the Methodist Episcopal Church.