My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. CHARLES S. FINCH was born in Clinton County, N. Y., April 9, 1818, being the oldest son of Henry Finch. He came to Spencer County with the family. He received a limited education by the fireside at night. After his mother’s death he was left nearly penniless, with the care of his brothers and sisters devolving upon him. He followed the carpenter’s and cabinet-maker’s trade in Rockport. In 1842 he was elected Justice of the Peace. He also taught school in the town. At the breaking out of the Mexican war he went as first-lieutenant of Company E, Fourth Indiana Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. He then followed the carpenter’s trade and school teaching at Rockport until 1851, when he came to Grandview and built the first steam saw-mill in the town. Later he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1861 he went into the army as captain of Company D, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving three years in that capacity. When the regiment veteranized, he, being disabled, was compelled to return home. Since the war he has attended to his duties as a magistrate, and has also been an active attorney in securing pensions. May 15, 1849, he married Sarah E. Hammond, who died September 20, 1884, leaving three children: Samuel D., Sarah A. (the wife of Henry Rue) and Margaret. Mr. Finch is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. fraternities, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife was also a zealous member.