My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE JOHN B. HANDY, a native of Washington City, D. C., and the senior partner in the legal firm of Handy, Armstrong & Cockrum, was born August 27, 1828, the eldest in the family of eight children born to Edward G. and Attilla A. Handy, who removed to Warrick County, Ind., in 1841. The monotony of farm life, to which our subject was reared, led to his running away from home when sixteen years old, but his next occupation as street vender of cakes, fruits, nuts, etc., in the city of Evansville, proved even more disagreeable, and like the prodigal son, he returned to the paternal roof. He early manifested a great liking for study, but in youth only secured a limited education, which in after years he greatly developed through his own exertions. He has always been a thorough student of law and literature, beginning the study of the former profession with an uncle, John A. Brackenridge, one of the foremost pioneer lawyers of southern Indiana. In 1852 he attended law school at Louisville, Ky., and in 1853 at Lebanon, Tenn., pursued a like vocation. In 1853 he began the practice of his profession at Newburgh, this county, but in 1862 removed to Boonville, which has since been his home. May 28, 1854, Mr. Handy wedded Miss Amanda E. Muir, daughter of Dr. Muir, one of the earliest physicians of Boonville, and to their union two children have been born, named Pinta, now Mrs. E. W. Bethell, and Charles M. He was a Republican in politics until the candidacy of Mr. Greeley for the Presidency, when he reasoned that the object of the Republican party was accomplished and he accordingly supported Mr. Greeley and since then the Democratic party. In 1872 he was elected to the Judgeship of the Court of Common Pleas, comprising the counties of Warrick, Vanderburg, Gibson and Posey, and four years later was elected Judge of the Second Judicial District, composed of Warrick, Spencer, Perry and Crawford Counties. He gave general satisfaction in his rulings and since his retirement from the bench has turned his attention to the practice of law. He also is occupied in the perusal of literature to a considerable extent, his library being one of the largest and best selected in this part of the State.