McCUTCHAN, James Andrew - Putnam

James A. McCutchan, resides on Sec 23, Greene Twp, Parke County, and is a son of William McCutchan, a native of Augusta Co, Va where he was reared to manhood and married. He was the son of William McCutchan who served in one of the early wars of this country, probably the Revolution. William, the father of our subject, was married in Rockbridge County, VA to Miss Margaret COOPER, a native of Rockbridge County. After they were married they stayed there about one year and in the fall of 1828 they migrated to this state, coming by wagon and an ox team and settled where William McCutchan now lives in Washington Township, this county. The last named gentleman's father had previously came and entered land from the Government, which was in a perfectly wild and unsettled condition. There he lived until his death. The father of our subject had 9 children, of whom all grew to manhood and womanhood. Six of them still survive: Susan Jane, who was born in Virginia and live son the old home place in Washington Twp, this county; Mary C, who lives on the old homestead with her sister, Susan; James A (of this sketch); Andrew L, who lives near Bridgeton, Parke County; Meredith M, a resident of Labette county, Kansas where he is a successful farmer; William W, of Washington Township. The father of our subject and his wife were both active members of the Associate Presbyterian Church and he was a supporter of the Republican Party until the time of his death. James a. McCutchan was born Dec 18, 1831 on the old home place in this county, where he was reared and educated. He resided with his father till his marriage. When 21 he began learning the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed for about 20 years. After his marriage, which took place Feb 28, 1868, to Miss Minerva, daughter of John Porter of this county, they located near Bloomingdale, where Mr. McCutchan worked at his trade. Mrs. McCutchan was born in Putnam county, Ind in 1837, where she was reared and educated in the common schools. Her father migrated to this county from NC where he lived for some time, then moved to Putnam County, where he still lives at the advanced age of 82. After farming for a time near bloomingdale, Mr. Mc moved to the Porter place, where they rented and farmed int he meantime working at his trade until 1877. Three years prior to that time he went to Kansas, where he worked some at his occupation, but on account of this being the grasshopper year and business consequently dull, he came back to his old home. In 1877 he bought the place where he now resides on which he built a large and substantial frame house in 1890. He has a very attractive home, which is located on one of the finest farms in Greene Township and is being beautifully improved. Our subject is the father of 7 children: Elmer M, who is attending the Commercial College at Terre Haute; and has since been teaching in the schools of the county; William P, who is a farmer in this township and is married to Zella HAZLETT; Margaret A, who has been attending the Academy at Bloomingdale; John Henry; James Fulton; Sarah Florence and Mary Nellie. All of this family of children are still under the parental roof with the exception of the married one. Mr. McCutcahn owns 120 acres of good land, all of which is well improved and is a fine state of cultivation. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, keeping on his farm some excellent breeds of cattle and a good variety of their stock. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder for a number of years. His wife is also a member of this demonition, in which she is an active worker. In 1892, our subject entered Co. G, 78th Indiana Infantry, in which he wa sa corporal. He was captured at Uniontown, Ky paroled and later returned home.