My Genealogy Hound

IRVING PADDOCK, a representative general agriculturist and a leading citizen of New Buffalo Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a native of the Empire State and was born March 25, 1830, in Onondaga County. The parents of our subject were James and Charlotte (Tappen) Paddock, well-known and influential people of that locality. The father was born in Orange County, April 18, 1806, and was the son of James Paddock, Sr., whose birthplace was also in New York, and who served bravely as a militiaman in the War of 1812. The paternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was of English descent and bore the name of David. The father of our subject emigrated from New York to the West in 1836, and located in what is now Galena Township, then Hudson, La Porte County, Ind. He was a farmer by occupation and survived to witness the changes of a half-century in the settlement of Indiana. The mother, also a native of New York, was born in 1808. She died in La Porte County, Ind., in 1872, and had borne unto her husband a family of twelve sons and daughters, of whom Irving was the eldest. He was only six years of age when with his parents he journeyed to La Porte County.

Reared and educated in the common schools of Hudson Township, Mr. Paddock arrived at manhood, and when the Civil War broke out he soon enlisted in the service of the Government and patriotically joined Company F, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, as a private. Promoted for his gallant bearing and general efficiency, our subject was made Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and finally became Captain. He served until June 24, 1865, and then was honorably discharged. During the fight at Tebbs Bend, between Morgan and the Twenty-fifth Michigan, Mr. Paddock was shot through the hips. He was twice wounded at Atlanta, Ga., and was shot through the right arm, between the wrist and elbow. Our subject actively participated in the Loudon fight, Kingston, Tenn., and took part in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Buzzard’s Roost. He was engaged in the raid from Rocky Face, Ga., to Atlanta, and was under fire most of the time, being three months making the one hundred miles. When Mr. Paddock was first wounded he was taken to the field-hospital, from there to the prisoners’ hospital at Louisville, and was then removed to Hospital No. 12. The second time he was wounded he was carried to Hospital No. 3, at Nashville. Our subject was mustered out of service at Salisbury, N. C., June 24, 1865, and was sent to the barracks in Jackson, Mich., in July, and soon returned to his home in Berrien County, to which he had removed in 1860, at that time locating upon the farm where he now resides.

The homestead originally contained but eighty acres, five of which had been cleared of timber, upon which clearing was the sole improvement — an old log house. Since then the tract, increased to one hundred acres and highly cultivated, has been further improved by an attractive dwelling and substantial barns. The farm, pleasantly located, is midway between the villages of Three Oaks and New Buffalo, and is three and a-half miles from each.

Irving Paddock and Miss Esther Ann Ware were united m marriage in New Buffalo, December 25, 1859, and received the hearty best wishes of many friends. Mrs. Paddock was born in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y., September 19, 1838. She is a daughter of Reuben and Esther (Goit) Ware, who were natives of Vermont and accompanied their respective parents to New York in a very early day. Spending their last years in Amboy, they both passed away in the Empire State. Our subject and his estimable wife have been blessed by the birth of three children, but one of whom now survives: Clarence, residing near Springfield, Mo.; Lottie and Albert are both deceased. Mr. Paddock is politically a Republican and has held by able service the official position of Township Treasurer, and in the discharge of the duties involved has given satisfaction to his fellow-townsmen. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Winfield Scott and is ever interested in both local and national issues. His excellent wife is a valued member of the Congregational Church and is active in good work. Mr. Paddock, while not a professor of religion, is mindful of those less fortunate than himself and is known as a liberal-spirited and enterprising citizen.