Finch - Robert - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Robert Finch, one of the pioneers of Montgomery County, died March 17 at his home two and one half miles northeast of Mace. He was born in Union County, Indiana, March 16, 1829, and came to this county in 1848, where he resided until his death. He leaves a wife, four sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters and a host of friends to mourn his loss. Funeral was conducted at the house by Rev. J. T. Philips, of Frankfort, and Rev. H. C. Riley, of Mace. – thanks so very much for this and all the obits S has donated

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 23 March 1900

Last Saturday at his home in Walnut Township occurred the death of Robert Finch. He had been in ill health for two or three years and on several occasions his death was expected. He suffered from paralysis.

Robert Finch was a son of Henry and Sarah (Swindle) Finch. Henry Finch was a native of Tennessee, and his wife was born in Virginia. In an early day they emigrated to Union County, Ind. where he died in 1847, aged 55 years, and she came to Montgomery County, where she died in 1858, aged 55 years. Robert Finch was born in Union County, Ind., March 16, 1829. He lived there till 1848, when he came to Montgomery County. He first squatted for about two months near the spot on which school No. 3 in Walnut Township now stands. Then two years on the land on which the Central School of that township is now located. He made several more moves in the vicinity of Crawfordsville, but concluding that a renter’s fortune would ever be extremely small he purchased, in 1856, 160 acres, the southeast quarter of section twenty, paying $1,100. In 1858 he sold, and bought 160 acres in sections five and eight, for which he paid $2,500. Since then he has sold and bought till at his death he owned a good farm of 180 acres. He increased the value of his farm by erecting a large dwelling, 40 x 40, two stories high. He received but little schooling, yet had a practical knowledge of business, transacting not only his own but much for other people. He was a Democrat and in 1880 was nominated for county commissioner on the ticket of his party.

In 1851 Mr. Finch was married to Christiana Hipes, of Montgomery County. Mrs. Finch died April 13, 1875, leaving a family of five children. Mr. Finch was next married to Isarelda Cason, daughter of Wm and Martha Cason, of Walnut Township. She was born in Union County, Indiana.

Mr. Finch was for a number of years prominently identified with the county fair and acted as a director until failing health caused his retirement from the board. He for a long time controlled a large tile mill on his place and also dealt in stock. He was a man highly esteemed in the community and his influence was always directed toward the best interests of the county and state.  The funeral took place at the residence last Monday morning at 11 o’clock. -s