Hutchison - James - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

James HUTCHISON.  To this gentleman and his associates Montgomery County is greatly indebted for its present high standing as a rich and finely developed agricultural centre.  Our subject is adept at farming, and has one of the best managed and most orderly farms in all Union Township, situated on Sec 21, where he has built up an elegant modern home.  Mr. Hutchison is a native of Ohio, born in Hamilton Co Feb 25, 1843, but the most of his life has been passed in this state and county.  His father was Ezekiel Hutchison, who was also born in Hamilton County, his birthplace being one of the early pioneer homes of Ohio.  He grew to man's estate in the county of his nativity, and was there married to Miss Nancy Crane.  After his marriage he went to farming in that county, and continued to live there until 1853.  In that year he came to Indiana with his family, renting a farm in this county.  20 years afterwards he returned to his old home, and died there in 1875, his wife following him to the grave a year afterward.  He was a sturdy Democrat and held to his party until death.

He was the father of 12 children of whom 6 are living: William, a farmer in this state; Ezekiel, also a farmer in this state; Hannah, wife of J. Nixon, a carpenter in Ohio and veteran of the late war; Arthur, an undertaker in Florida; Maggie, wife of Wm. Kerr, who lives near the Miami River, not farm from Cincinnati; and our subject.  The names of those who died are: Samuel; Isaiah; Mary; Price; Rebecca and George.  OUr subject was 9 when his parents removed to this county. His education was conducted in the public schools and at the age of 18 he began his independent career in life, working at ditching, cutting rails, or anything else that would place money in his hands, whereby he might get a good start. His first venture on his own account was to lease some land on the hunger Farm, which he worked for a year.  He was next employed by Mr. Wilkinson to help on the place where he now lives.  Since he began farming for himself, he has displayed commendable energy, enterprise and thrift.  His farm comprises 180 and 1/4 acres of land on Sec. 21 and he has besides 40 acres west of it in the same township, all of which is finely tilled and well drained with tile.  A substantial set of buildings adorn the place an on it is one of the handsomest residences in the township which Mr. Hutchison build in 1878 or 1879.  The farm is well kept up and our subject is constantly making improvements.

Mr. Hutchison was married June 9, 1868 to Mrs. Catherine A. WILKINSON, daughter of John and Mary RINGER.  Her parents were originally from Pennsylvania, whence they went to Butler County, Ohio and from there came to Indiana and settled in 1824, when the country was a trackless forest.  Mr. Ringer was accompanied in his emigration by James Redden and William Rosenberry, Mr. Foster and Mr. Faust.  A Mr. Lamper lived here at that time, and with the families of the gentlemen just mentioned they formed the earliest settlers of the county.  Mr. Ringer put up a log cabin on a 1/2 section of land that he entered from the Government and went energetically to work to clear away the forest trees standing on his newly acquired domain, which he developed into a fine farm.  

Mr. Ringer was married in Butler County, Ohio to Mary, daughter of George Faust.  They had a family of 11 children, of whom are living: Reuben, a resident of Missouri; George, of Nebraska; Joel and John of Iowa; Mary, Mrs. Flatner of Iowa; Eliza, wife of Roy Littlefield, a merchant of California; Cornelia, Mrs. Foster who lives in Iowa; and Catherine, wife of our subject.  Mrs. Hutchison was born on the old family homestead in this county June 7, 1827. She is the mother of 6 children by her 1st marriage: John Wilkinson, who resides near Glenfield; Milton, a farmer; Aaron H, who lives on a farm near Crawfordsville; James William, who lives near Crawfordsville; Harvey, who is practicing law in Crawfordsville; and Sarah Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Sweinger.  Mrs. Hutchison is an active member of the Lutheran Church and is a consistent Christian, who is greatly esteemed by the entire neighborhood.  Mr. Hutchison is a man of sensible views and sound convictions on all subjects with which he is conversant.  He is especially interested in politics and is a strong party man, cleaving to the fortunes of the Republican Party.  -- kbz