My Genealogy Hound

GEN. JAMES C. VEATCH, born in Harrison County, Ind., December 19, 1819, is the youngest of seven children reared by Isaac and Lucinda (Ramsey) Veatch. The father was born and raised on a farm in Tennessee, and there married his wife who was also a native of that State. About the year 1811 he came to what is now Harrison County, Ind., with his parents, three brothers, and his family, there farming and preaching the Baptist faith until 1823, when he moved to Meade County, Ky., and from there, two years later, to Spencer County, Ind., settling in Luce Township. In 1831 he removed to New Albany, and a year later to Clark County, Ind., which was his home until death. He died of cholera at New Albany July 31, 1833, his wife having previously departed this life in Harrison County, September 29, 1822. James C. Veatch resided with his father until the latter’s death, securing a fair education from the common schools of that early day. About the year 1883 he returned to the county of his birth, but in March 1835, came to Spencer County where he farmed two years, then resumed educational pursuits, attending the country and Rockport schools and preparing for the teacher’s profession. In 1838 he taught his first term of school in Luce Township, and in 1839 was elected principal of the County Seminary at Rockport. In 1841 he was elected Constable of the Ohio Township, but the same year was elected County Auditor in which capacity he served three successive terms. In 1855 he embarked in the practice of law, having for years previously studied privately, and until 1860 continued legal pursuits. In 1856 he was defeated for Congress on the Republican ticket, but in 1860 was elected State Representative. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he was appointed mustering officer and, returning from legislative halls, organized twelve companies of militia in Spencer County, securing for them 250 muskets and a six-pound field piece, giving his individual security to the State for the same. Having been lieutenant-colonel of militia before the war, he was commissioned colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in August, 1861, and repaired at once to the scene of conflict. After the battle of Shiloh he was promoted brigadier-general, and after the battle of Mobile was breveted major general. He was seriously wounded at Hatchie River, but with that exception was in active service during the entire war without being disabled. Having contracted rheumatism in the war, it was a number of years afterward before he was able to do active work. He resumed legal pursuits however, and in 1868 was again defeated for Congress. In 1868 he was appointed adjutant-general of Indiana by Gov. Baker, serving as such until 1870, when he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the First District. In 1876 the Second District was added to his territory, but in 1883 it was done away with. Gen. Veatch has been an earnest worker in the ranks of the Republican party; was a member of the Chicago convention in 1860 that nominated Lincoln for the Presidency, and again in 1884 when Blaine was nominated. He was also Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket in 1884. He is a Free Mason, a member of the G. A. R. and a gentleman well known and respected at home and abroad. June 2, 1839, he wedded Eliza J. Anderson, by whom he became the father of nine children, three sons and three daughters now living.