Randolph  County,  Indiana

Robert  H. Lumpkin


            One of the owners of extensive farming interests in Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch. His valuable property has been acquired, for the most part, through his own efforts, his persistency of purpose and his determination, and the prosperity which is the legitimate reward of all earnest efforts is today his. Mr. Lumpkin is easily the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship. He is one of the highly esteemed and useful men of this section of the county, and eminently entitled to special mention.
            Robert H. Lumpkin was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 2, 1865, and is the eldest son of Rufus and Rachel (Jordan) Lumpkin. Robert Lumpkin, his great grandfather, was born in Virginia, from which state he moved to Tennessee in 1799, with his wife, who was Elizabeth Forrest, prior to her marriage. The Lumpkins were of Scotch descent, and the Forrests of Welsh extraction. James L. Lumpkin, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1791 in Virginia, and he moved to Tennessee with his parents. In 1818 the family removed to Indiana and settled near Economy, Wayne county, later moved to Dalton township. His death occurred in 1870. He married Sarah Thornburg, who was of Irish descent. Her death occurred in 1875 in Dalton township, Wayne county. Rufus Lumpkin, father of our subject, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 15, 1835, and died August 2, 1907. His wife, who was also a native of the vicinity in which he first saw the light of day, was born March 16, 1842, and died April 3, 1909. She was a daughter of John W. and Catherine (Davis) Jordan, natives of Ireland. Rufus Lumpkin remained on the farm of his father until he reached his majority. He received such educational advantages as the early-day schools afforded. When twenty-one years old he went to Iowa, where he entered eighty acres of land, which he improved and on which he lived three years, then sold out and returned to Wayne county, Indiana, where he was married in 1858. Six sons and three daughters were born to our subject’s parents namely: Mary C., wife of Nelson Weaver, of Wayne county; America J. wife of Wallace Cheesman, of Wayne county; Robert H., of this sketch; Florence M., wife of Frank Waltz, of Hagerstown, Indiana; Charles died in infancy; John C. lives in Wayne county; Orin died when young; James and William E. are on the old home farm. After his marriage Rufus Lumpkin located in Wayne county, where he owned a farm of seventy acres, selling the same nine years later and purchased one hundred and sixty acres nearby. After remaining there three years he purchased the old Lump- kin homestead of four hundred acres, on which he and his good wife spent the rest of their lives, engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and were among the most influential and highly respected people of the township. Mr. Lumpkin was a member of the Baptist church, while his wife belonged to the Methodist church. Politically, he was a Republican.
            Robert H. Lumpkin, of this review, was reared on the home farm and received a good practical education in the common schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage, December 20, 1888, to Nora Maulsby, a daughter of Martin V. and Sarah M. (Bookout) Maulsby. She was born in Randolph county, October 18, 1870, and her father was also a native of this county. Her mother was born in Henry county, Indiana. The parents of both were born in Tennessee. Mrs. Lumpkin grew to womanhood in her native community and received a common school education.
            To our subject and wife three children were born, namely: Arthur W., born January 2, 1893; Marie, born August 11, 1894; and Marguerite, born April 3,1907, all at home. The two eldest are teaching school in this county with much success.
            In June, 1889, Mr. Lumpkin purchased the beautiful homestead of the grandfather of his wife, consisting of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, and on this he still lives, having greatly improved the place. Later he purchased seventy-two acres, and now owns two hundred and thirty-one acres of as fine farming land as can be found in the county, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He has a commodious home in the midst of attractive surroundings, and has many substantial out buildings and such modern farming implements as his needs require.
            Mr. Lumpkin is one of the representative men of Nettle Creek township and is highly respected by all who know him. The fact that he has been appointed guardian of several valuable estates indicates the implicit confidence which is reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He was elected trustee of his township in 1908 to serve six years, and is giving eminent satisfaction in the same. He is a loyal Republican, a faithful Mason, and his wife is a worthy Baptist.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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