James A. Angevine

    James A. Angevine, of York Township, and one of the old residents of this county, was born in New York City, in 1814. His parents, James and Susan (Montfort) Angevine, were both born in the same city. His grandfather, John Angevine, was a native of France, and came to America prior to the Revolution, in which he participated as a soldier. He reared a family of twelve children -eleven daughters and one son -the latter being the youngest of the family. He was a shoe-maker by trade, and in 1818, came to this county with his son James, with whom he resided till his death, in 1831. His wife survived two years, passing away in 1833. James Angevine, the father of our subject, James A., grew to maturity in New York and in his earlier years was a sailor. It is said that he passed through many disasters during his seafaring life. He finally abandoned the water, and with a capital of $500, engaged in the grocery business, meeting with excellent success. At the age of twenty-three, he married his first wife, who died eleven years later, childless. At thirty-six, he married Susan Montfort, whose parents were from Pennsylvania, and whose ancestors were from Holland. Of the twelve children born to them, eleven grew to maturity. The deceased was an infant. On moving to this county in 1818, he purchased 1,100 acres of land in York Township, where he afterward engaged in farming, till old age compelled him to retire. His wife died July 2, 1869. In his ninety-third year he was taken by his relatives and others to La Salle County, Illinois, where he died July 10, 1874. November 9, 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Angevine, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and there were present the entire family -sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, twenty-one of the latter, and thirty-five in all. He was a man of unblemished character, and all his life was devoted to the best interest of his family and the community.

    James A. Angevine, whose name introduces this sketch, grew up in the quiet walks of rural life. He resided with his parents till 1844, when he married Miss Mary A. Davis, and established a home of his own. Her parents were William and Ann (Jenkins) Davis, who were natives of Morganshire, Wales. They were married April 20, 1814,and in 1816 immigrated to the United States. They located for a short time, in New York, and then moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where the oldest daughter, Mrs. Angevine, was born, in 1821. In the following year, they settled in this county, where they purchased land, and resided till their death, the mother passing away April 19, 1867, the father June 13, 1868. They reared a family of ten children, nine still living, namely: George, John, Thomas, Griffith, David, Mary A., Elizabeth, Helen and Jennie.

    After his marriage, Mr. Angevine rented land for a time and by hard labor, aided by an industrious wife, gradually worked his way up to the front rank. In 1850 he purchased his present farm of ninety acres, on which he has since conducted a prosperous farming business. On the death of his father, in 1874, he inherited 120 acres, and, besides these two tracts. owns another of forty acres in this township.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.