Joseph M. Rabb

    Joseph M. Rabb, Judge of the Twenty-first Judicial Circuit of Indiana, is a son of Smith and Mary (Carwile) Rabb, and was born February 14, 1846, in Covington, Indiana, the third of seven children, five of whom are yet living. He was reared from the age of six weeks to manhood, in Vermillion County, Indiana. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Fountain County, Indiana, arriving there as early as 1826 and 1828.

    July 22, 1862, Joseph M. Rabb enlisted in Company K, Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry -afterward in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry -for three years, or during the war. His first campaign was with Gen. Nelson in Kentucky, in August, 1862, participating in the battle of Richmond, where he was taken prisoner. Then, on being exchanged, again returned to Kentucky, and while doing guard duty was again captured. He was not long a prisoner until exchanged, after which he was placed under Gen. Burnside's command in Tennessee, and attached to the Ninth Army Corps as scout and courier. The summer of 1864, he joined Sherman's army in the campaign against Atlanta. Then returned to Nashville, participating in the battle of that place and campaign against Forrest and Wheeler. Until the conclusion of the war, Mr. Rabb remained on duty in Tennessee, but after being discharged in June, 1865, came home and attended one term of school at Greencastle.

    In October, 1866, he began the study of law at Williamsport with Judge J. H. Brown, continuing the same until 1869, when he entered into active practice as a partner of his preceptor. After the death of Judge Brown in 1873, Mr. Rabb practiced alone and in partnership until his election to his present position as Judge of the Twenty-first Judicial Circuit of Indiana in 1882. Judge Rabb is an unswerving Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. His marriage with Miss Lottie Morris was solemnized June 11, 1872, and five children have blessed their union, only three -Clara, George and Fred -now living. The mother departed this life, May 7, 1882.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.