Ristine - Benjamin T.
Source: Benjamin T. Ristine Montgomery County, Indiana H.W.
Beckwith HIstory (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 194
RISTINE, Benjamin T., among the oldest
and most prominent citizens of Montgomery co. is the gentleman whose name
appears at the head of this sketch. Benjamin T. Ristine is widely known, both
at home and abroad; also in the law circles of Indiana. He was b. Jan 19, 1807
in the neighborhood of Madison, just across the river in Kentucky. His father,
Henry Ristine, was a native of NY and his mother, Nancy GRAY Ristine was born
in Va. They married in Kentucky, and moved to Jefferson Co, Indiana territory
about 1808. Henry Ristine became a lt. in the ranging service during the war of
1812, and explored pretty well the Wabash Valley. In 1815 he began keeping
tavern in Madison, which he continued till 1820, when he bought land adjoining
the town and established a tannery which he conducted for two years. Having
been well impressed with the rich soil of the Wabash when ranging here, he
determined to make this his future home. Accordingly, in 1823, in the month of
May, he reached Crawfordsville with his wife and six children. The city was
then in the germ, enclosed by a thick and dense hull of green woods, and little
did the Ristines dream of the future city with its numerous industries, its
schools, and its churches. Here they built a "log hotel" on the
ground just south of, and opposite to, the present Nutt Hotel. Here they kept
tavern till 1829, when they bought land in the edge of Tippecanoe Co, and lived
there till 1832, then returned to Crawfordsville and bought the frame and log
tavern that stood on lot 111 e. of the courthouse. Several years afterward he
sold, and bought a lot opposite the St. James Hotel, where he built a hotel
which he kept till he retired from business. He died in 1856, at the age of 73
years. He had been a thorough and active whig. He was pres. of the board of
trustees for some time and from 1828 to 1833 represented his County in the
legislature. He was also prominent in the Baptist Church. His wife d. in 1861
at the age of 73. Benjamin T. Ristine passed his youthful days in hotel life.
At the age of 22 he kept a subscription school and borrowing such books as he
needed he studied law by himself in connection with teaching. Abandoning the
law he engaged in the dry goods business for seven years, then resumed his
legal studies, selling his store interest and buying a hundred dollars' worth
of elementary law books for immediate study. He also had access to such law
libraries as the place and times afforded. In May, 1840, Mr. R. was admitted to
the bar, and settled for the practice of his profession in Crawfordsville,
where he has ever since remained. He has never allowed himself to seek office.
He was nominated by the whigs to represent the County in the convention called
to revise the constitution, but although he received the full whig vote he was
defeated. In 1845 he became assoc. with Alexander THOMSON in the legal
profession, which firm, known as Thomson & Ristine continued for 33 years.
Since the dissolution Mr. Ristine has taken his two sons, T.H. and O.H. Ristine
into partnership with him. He was married in August 1837 to Miss Flora
HUMPHREY, They have 7 children: Theodore H, Ozea H, attorneys; Warren H, doctor
in Crawfordsville; Harley G, MD of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Charles W, who manages the
home farm; Albert (Deceased) and a daughter married to W FRAZER of Warsaw,
Indiana. Mr. & Mrs. Ristine are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has
been a stalwart republican since the birth of that party.
