VANLANDINGHAM, James
James Vanlandingham
Source: "Weik's History Of Putnam County, Indiana
Illustrated 1910: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers Indianapolis, Indiana
Author: Jesse W. Weik
Page 501
It will always be a badge of honor in this country to hare known that a person's father, or even his uncle, enlisted in the service of his country when the great rebellion broke out, to assist in saving the Union and in eradicating slavery from our soil. Just as to this day we boast that our grandfather or great-grandfather fought in the Revolution to gain independence, or took part in the War of 1812 to protect our rights on the ocean, so the descendants of gallant Union soldiers will boast through coming generations of the bravery and self-sacrifice of their fathers or their relatives. James Valandingham, living in retirement in Greencastle, after a long period of useful endeavor, was one of the "brave boys in blue" who went forth to die on the field or in the no less dangerous fever camp, if need be, for the salvation of the country. He was born in Greencastle township, Putnam county, May 29, 1847, the son of Jerry and Hester (Vanlandingham) Vanlandingham. This family is of Scotch origin, the first emigrants locating in South Carolina, later came to Kentucky and located near Lexington. Hester's father, James Vanlandingham, came to Putnam county and settled just east of the David Houck farm near Greencastle, homesteading it from the government. Jerry and Hester Vanlandingham were married in Putnam county. The former died when his son James was eight years of age. The lad then lived with his grandfather, James Vanlandingham, who died about one year later, in 1856, and is buried in the old family cemetery on the farm. The mother of the subject went to Ohio to live with a married daughter and died there. She is survived by a sister, Sarah, living at Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of sixty-four years, she having been the youngest member of the family. She married George Brant. Hester Vanlandingham was the oldest child in her father’s family. She was a second cousin of her husband, Jerry Vanlandingham.
At the death of his grandparents, James Vanlandingham returned to his mother and when about ten years of age moved to Greencastle. On December 17, 1863, while yet a mere lad, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, a new regiment organized by General Hovey, who took charge of six regiments as a division, comprising the One Hundred and Twenty-third, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, One Hundred and Thirtieth and two other regiments, these being known as "Hovey's Babies. " Mr. Vanlandingham saw some hard service, taking part with his company in all subsequent campaigns and battles, always conducting himself in a gallant manner. He was in fifteen battles, from Rocky Face Ridge on the Atlanta campaign and back after Hood to Nashville. He was never wounded, was never captured or made a prisoner. After the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, the division he was in was sent to South Carolina, by way of Cincinnati and Washington, having intended to join Grant. At one time it was sent by way of the Indian Territory to Ft. Smith, and then to the mouth of the Cape Fear river, taking prisoners, and on to Ft. Fisher and Wilmington, then were stationed at Greensboro and Charlotte, South Carolina, then to Lexington, that state, where the company was honorably discharged August 25, 1865. Mr. Vanlandingham was a1ways in the ranks, often on short detail to guard wagon teams, etc. After the war he worked for a time in a livery stable, later a woolen mill. He then worked for Rose Hammond until he married, then farmed for five years. He was employed in Brockray's spoke factory for a period of twelve years. He spent six years on a farm in Warren township. He made a success at whatever he turned his attention to and laid by an ample competency for his declining years. Three years ago he purchased his present home just south of the city, known as the old Wall Lewis place, where he has a very comfortable and nicely arranged home.
Mr. Vanlandingham married, on September 13, 1870, Kate Branson, daughter of Thomas and Esther (Lay) Branson, at Greencastle, the ceremony being performed by Rev. O. P. Badger. Her father, Thomas L. Branson, was a farmer and stone-mason of Greencastle township, having come here from Tennessee; his wife and family came to Putnam county in 1863 while he was in the Union armv, a member of Company B, First East Tennessee Regiment. His father was a native of England, coming to America when young, serving in the American army in the war of 1812. After the war Thomas L. Branson joined his family here and worked at his trade for a time and later returned to his native community in Tennessee, dying at Maynardsville, that state, when past eighty-five years of age, his wife having died in Colorado while visiting. Her daughter Emma, who married Thomas Gibbs, is living at Greencastle; two brothers, Enoch and Thomas, are living in Montgomery county, Indiana.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Vanlandingham, named as fol1ows: Charley, a farmer in Brown county, Indiana; Jessie, who married Merlin Gerner, a railroad employe, living at Indianapolis; Daisy married Albert Shuey, who is conducting a grocery store at Greencastle; Dwight is living at home.
Mr. Vanlandingham is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he takes a great interest in the reunions and meetings of his old comrades, seldom missing a national encampment. He is a Republican in politics.