attorney and insurance agent, Vevay, was born in Allensville, Switzerland Co., Ind., September 15, 1839. His parents were Everson and Lucy (Norton) Livings; his father born December 10, 1_10; mother, October 6, 1801. His grandparents, Daniel L. and Mary Livings, came to this county in early times from New Jersey, and farmed. Daniel was well known, having served as deputy sheriff many years at a time when it was the sheriff's duty to ride through the county and collect the taxes, a duty which usually fell to Daniel. In 1853 he sold his farm and moved to Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-seven. Theodore Livings' early education was in the common schools, and he taught for some time until he decided to enter college. Lacking the necessary means, he resolved to overcome that difficulty, and in 1859 went to Wabash University, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he pursued his studies for four years, paying his way by his own labor, acting as janitor of the college building, sexton of the Methodist Church, and, for three hours each day, waited at the hotel table for his board. Notwithstanding the encroachments made upon his time by these duties, he not only kept up with his class, but always stood at the head of the roll of honor, and was considered worthy of a membership in the Phi Gamma Delta faternity. He thus succeeded not only in meeting his necessary college expenses, but had a little money to spare after educating and clothing himself. In 1862 he left college; was active in raising a company, and obtained first lieutenancy of Company D, Ninety-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed post adjutant at Madison where they rendezvoused, Thence to Memphis, where he was detailed on staff duty, acting as brigade aid-de-camp and adjutant during almost his entire term of service, and for some time as inspector-general of division under Gen. Buckland. In 1864 he was commissioned as adjutant of his regiment, with which he was engaged at the seige of Vicksburg, and in the battles of Jackson, Guntown, Tupelo, Nashville, Mobile and Blakely, besides several skirmishes. The Ninety-third was in the same brigade during its whole term of service. At Nashville this brigade, on the afternoon of the second day's fight, was led out to storm the enemy's works, and while the rest of the command lay watching the result with fearful anxiety, this little band of soldiers broke Hood's lines for the first time that day, capturing sixteen cannon, and more prisoners than the brigade had men. The whole Union line charging immediately afterward, routed Hood's forces and followed them most of the night. It was at the siege of Vicksburg, while in line of duty, that Lieut. Livings suffered great impairment of his hearing, caused by the discharge of cannon, or the explosion of shells in close proximity to him while passing in front of fortifications. The concussion also produced dizziness and ringing in the ears. His deafness has been and is a serious drawback in his business life. His term of service expired in August, 1865, and he returned to his home, spent another year at college, after which he began the study of law with Hon. O.M. Wilson, of Indianapolis. He was admitted to the bar at Vevay March, 1868, and has been engaged in the practice ever since. He was associated with the late W.H. Adkinson for five years, and since 1878 has been in partnership with Col. W.D. Ward, under the firm name of Ward & Livings. In addition to his practice, Mr. Livings does a large business as agent for a number of prominent insurance companies. He was two years school trustee of Vevay; six years deputy United States collector of the county, and five years deputy prosecuting attorney of the county. While thus engaged he conducted several important trials, in every instance evincing ability and skill as a lawyer, and proving a successful prosecutor. He is a close student, and few men conduct a case with better defined ideas of the points of law bearing on the subject. Mr. Livings is a Republican, and while never a candidate for office, has done active service speaking for others, both in national and local campaigns. He is a member of the Baptist Church. April 7, 1870, he married Miss Mary A. Jackman, who was born in Vevay March 30, 1846, daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Bryson) Jackman. Mr. Jackman, who was for years a prominent citizen of Vevay, was a founder and machinist by trade, and enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most singularly ingenious mechanics of his day, possessing rare talent for the sciences, and construction of scientific instruments, including microscopic and telescopic appliances. Mr. and Mrs. Livings have two children: Lucy, born April 20, 1871, and Frederick T., born November 26, 1873.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell