My Genealogy Hound

Vincent M. Cartwright, of Mt. Vernon, is a native son of Posey county, and a descendant of sturdy pioneer ancestors. He was born in Harmony township, January 17, 1843, and was one of a family of ten children born to Presley and Sidda M. (Mage) Cartwright. Presley Cartwright was also born in what is now Harmony township, then in the Northwestern Territory, August 11, 1811. He spent his life in the locality of his birth, where he died November 26, 1896. He followed farming most of his life. He was also a cooper, shoe maker, and carpenter. Presley Cartwright was a son of Samuel, who came to the Northwestern Territory from Tennessee in 1800, at about the age of twenty. He settled in what is now Harmony township, which was an unbroken wilderness. The Cartwrights suffered all the privations and hardships common to the lot of the pioneers of the times. Two brothers of Samuel were killed by the Indians. The Cartwrights are of Scotch descent. Sidda M. Mage, our subject’s mother, was a daughter of Daniel and Sidda (Green) Mage. The family came from Washington county, North Carolina, about 1825, and settled in the northern part of Posey county. They drove the entire distance from North Carolina, the girl, Sidda, walking most of the distance, as did the other members of the family. She died in February, 1882. Vincent Cartwright remained at home and worked on the farm after the fashion of the average boy of the times, until the peaceful life of the Nation was interrupted by the coming on of the Civil war. At this time, young Cartwright enlisted August 1, 1862, at Evansville, in Company C, Sixty-fifth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry. His regiment was immediately sent to Kentucky to oppose the Confederate operations in that section. The campaigning there was mostly of a skirmishing nature, and what insurance companies would term “extra hazardous.” Mr. Cartwright did a great deal of scout duty. He was wounded September 22, 1863, at Bloutsville, Tenn., but recovered after a few months and took part in Sherman’s Atlanta campaign. He participated in the engagements at Jonesboro and Franklin, Tenn. His regiment was in the pursuit of Hood and from Clifton, Tenn., went by boat to Cincinnati, then to Annapolis, and from there to Fort Fisher. Took part in the North Carolina campaign, and was at the surrender of Johnston at Greensboro, N. C. Here Mr. Cartwright was mustered out, June 22, 1865. When discharged, he was sergeant of the color guard. He had been elected first lieutenant of his company and recommended by the captain of his company for appointment, but never received his commission. At the close of the war, Mr. Cartwright returned to his Posey county home, and attended school for a time. He then went to Missouri and from there to Salina, Kan., where he was engaged in the lumber business. He was thus engaged when he lost his left hand in a mill accident, September 2, 1866. He then returned to Harmony township, and attended school again for a time where he engaged in teaching in Lynn, Center and Harmony townships until 1876, when he was elected trustee of Lynn township, serving two terms. In 1882, Mr. Cartwright was elected county recorder and served two terms, or until 1890. He then engaged in the real estate business and did an extensive business as pension attorney. In 1910, he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. As a public officer, Mr. Cartwright’s methods have been of the character that has won for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He was united in marriage March 25, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Wilson, of Lynn township. She was born in that township and her father was also a native of Posey county. To Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright were born five children, three of whom are living: Cynthia, married Aaron Shuffert, of Chicago; Ethel, married Noble Utley, of Mt. Vernon, and Fannie O., married Henry A. Deutsch, of Strathmore, Cal. Mr. Cartwright has been a lifelong Democrat, and taken a keen interest in the affairs of his county, State and Nation. He was chairman of the Democratic central committee of Posey county in 1884, and as a token of appreciation of his services, the committee presented him with a beautiful gold-headed cane, which he prizes very highly. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor of the lodge. He was the first State representative at the grand lodge at Indianapolis; he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 491, and is the president of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Regimental Association, which meets on September 22 of each year. The meeting of 1913 was held at his residence. He is a charter member of the regular Baptist church.