Ristine - Benjamin Taylor
Source: Logansport Pharos-Tribune - 29 December 1896 p 2
Crawfordsville, Ind., Dec. 29 - Benjamin T. Ristine, the oldest citizen of Montgomery county in point of residence, and probably the oldest attorney in Indiana, is dead. Ristine was 90 years old, and had been a resident of Montgomery county since 1825. he practiced law from 1840 until within one month of his death.
Source: Crawfordsville Journal, Montgomery County, Indiana, Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Sat., Dec 26, 1896
Ben Taylor RISTINE, the oldest member of the Crawfordsville bar-and perhaps the oldest practitioner in the state-died at his home near this city on Dec 25, 1896, lacking only a few day so the 90th anniversary of his birth. He continues to visit his office daily, and to take some part in the business thereof, up to within a month of his death. He died without sickness or pain, purely from the exhaustion of old age. He leaves a numerous family, consisting of his widow, six children and almost a score of grandchildren. Never was any man in this community more respected for his noble qualities than Ben T. Ristine. Physically he was without a blemish. He had a strong mind, and a pure heart, and no man's life ever had a greater influence in creating a high standard of business integrity than his. The following was written by Hon. PS Kennedy and appeared in "Bench & Bar," a volume of biographical sketches of the most distinguished members of the bar and bench of Indiana. "It is a trite but noble saying, applying to the lowliest as well as the highest conditions of life. Honor and shame from no condition rise; act well your part, there all the honor lies!" A great than the great man who wrote these words penned a proverb which is of use here" A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. It is true, "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than was." and also this "An honest man is the noblest work of God" In whatever sphere of life, humble or high, a man moves, the moral element determines his grade and regard. Governed by this rule, Ben Taylor Ristine, the subject of this sketch must stand high in the esteem of those who know him. Physically, he is a noble man, without a blemish, and his mind and heart are as sound as his body. He is a practical translation of the Latin dictum: "Mens sano in corpo sano." His influence for good has always widely been felt and acknowledged in the community where he has spent his life, and the mere mention of his name is a refutation of the charge, so often thoughtlessly made concerning the moral integrity of those who practice law. Mr. Ristine was b. in Gallatin Co KY about 5 miles south of Madison IN Jan 19, 1807. He was the eldest child of Henry Ristine and Nancy (GRAY) Ristine-the former a native of NY, the latter of Va. Henry Ristine and Nancy Gray were married July 5, 1805 in Gallatin Co and in 1808 moved to where now stands No. Madison, IN. Henry Ristine was an officer in the ranging service during the War of 1812. The command to which he belonged were all mounted men and the service doubtless led to his moving from Madison to the region where he settled. On May 14, 1823, Henry Ristine with his son, who is the subject of this sketch, then a lad of 16 years, reached Crawfordsville IN where they spent the summer with some hired help building a house preparatory to moving the family to this place. They started back the last of July and began the return trip, leaving Madison Oct 9, 1823 and arriving in Crawfordsville some 10 days later with one six-horse team and a two-horse team, conveying the family thither consisting of his wife and six children. While in dry goods business in Aug 1837 he (Ben) was married to Miss Florinda Humphreys of Canton, Connecticut. She was the sister of Hosea D. Humphreys, Latin Professor at Wabash College and a lawyer of Crawfordsville...he has living 5 sons and one daughter, all honorable citizens and successful in life. The children are: Dr. Harley G. Ristine, physician, Fort Dodge, Iowa; Theodore H. Ristine, lawyer and now treasurer of Wabash College; Hosea H. Ristine, lawyer and his father's partner; Warren H. Ristine, physician, Crawfordsville; Charles W. Ristine, farmer, Crawfordsville, Flora O. Frazer, wife of William D. Frazier, lawyer, Warsaw IN. The second son, Albert L, First Lt, 11th In, died soon after the war from disease contracted in the service. There are 15 grandchildren, 3 of whom are students at this time in Wabash College. Mr. Ristine and his wife have been for nearly 50 years members of Center Presbyterian Church of Crawfordsville. He has been one of those who look on the bright side of life. Funeral 12-27-1896 at Center Church at 2 o'clock.
Thanks so much to Ginny A. & Jan Lawrence for these :) kz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Friday, 1 January 1897
Ben T. Ristine, the oldest member of the Crawfordsville Bar—and perhaps the oldest practitioner in the state—died at his home near this city on December 25, 1896, lacking only a few days of the 90th anniversary of his birth.
He continued to visit his office daily, and to take some part in the business thereof, up to within a month of his death. He died without sickness or pain, purely from the exhaustion of old age. He leaves a numerous family, consisting of his widow, six children and almost a score of grandchildren. Never was any man in this community more respected for his noble qualities than Ben T. Ristine. Physically he was without a blemish. He had a strong mind and a pure heart, and no man’s life ever had a greater influence in creating a high standard of business integrity than his.
Mr. Ristine was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, about five miles south of Madison, Indiana, January 19, 1807. He was the eldest child of Henry Ristine and Nancy Gray Ristine—the former a native of New York, the latter of Virginia.
Henry Ristine and Nancy Gray were married July 4, 1805, in Gallatin County, Kentucky, and in 1808 moved to where now stands North Madison, Indiana. Henry Ristine was an officer in the ranging service during the War of 1812. The command to which he belonged was all mounted men, and the service led to an exploration of Indian Territory, and especially the Wabash Valley. The knowledge of the country acquired in this service doubtless led to his moving from Madison to the region where he settled. On May 14, 1823, Henry Ristine, with his son, who is the subject of this sketch, then a lad of sixteen years, reached Crawfordsville, Indiana, where they spent the summer with some hired help in building a house preparatory to moving the family to this place. They started back the last of July and began the return trip, leaving Madison October 9, 1823 and arrived in Crawfordsville some ten days later with one six horse team and a two horse team, conveying the family thither consisting of his wife and six children. Ben T. Ristine was never a student of a college, but in his early years enjoyed the great privilege of having as a tutor a minister in Madison who was a rare classical scholar, just then from one of the institutions of the east, and who inspired his pupil with a love of the Latin classics and gave him an inclining to that general learning which is too rare in the professional man. Few men are to be found more thoroughly versed in accurate historical knowledge than he.
Mr. Ristine in his twenty second year taught school for a single term, and was afterwards engaged in the dry goods business in Crawfordsville for some five years. While in this business in August, 1837, he was married to Miss Florinda Humphreys, of Canton, Connecticut. She was a sister to Hosea D. Humphreys, Latin professor in Wabash College and a lawyer of Crawfordsville. The married life began so long ago continues, their golden wedding having been celebrated some eight years ago. Mr. Ristine, while still in other business, was a close student of the law…
(*more history of his life as a lawyer)
In 1837 he was married to Miss Florinda Humphreys and to them was born six sons and one daughter. Mr. Ristine was greatly honored as a Christian, a lawyer, and a citizen. He was a retiring man in his social habits and yet peculiarly loved in the circle around him. I will not speak of his home, except to say that in its intelligence and sweet fellowships it was conspicuous. It was the “home of peace.” Of the children who belonged to it, Lieut. Albert L., of the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, alone had been taken from it. His place in that home was never vacant, so constantly did his presence retain its hold on the survivors. …
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Friday, 1 January 1897
The funeral of Ben T. Ristine occurred at Center Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and was attended by a large concourse of people, a noticeable feature, being the unusually large number of aged persons present. The Crawfordsville Bar attended the services in a body and occupied seats reserved immediately in the rear of those of the family in the center section.
The services were conducted by Dr. J. F. Tuttle, Rev. A. J. Alexander and Dr. E. B. Thomson. The remarks of Dr. Tuttle and Mr. Alexander were very appropriate and happy in character, Dr. Thomson offering an eloquent prayer. The music was by the Center Church choir. The pallbearers were the five sons and the son-in-law of the deceased. After the services a long procession of friends followed the remains to their last resting place at Oak Hill Cemetery.