My Genealogy Hound

JAMES CLINTON FINCH, a merchant of Grandview, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 15, 1830. He was one of eight children born to Henry and Delsina (Patridge) Finch, natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. The father, who was a hatter, followed his trade in Ohio and Michigan, and is supposed to have died in the latter State, the family never hearing from him after 1837. The mother and children came to Spencer County, Ind., in 1837, and the following spring located on a farm in Ohio Township. Mrs. Finch died about 1840, and soon after his mother’s death James C., with his brothers and sisters, removed to Rockport, where he worked at various occupations in order to support himself. At the age of fifteen years he went to Princeton to learn the saddler’s trade, but becoming dissatisfied returned in less than a year, and worked as a farm hand until 1847, when he enlisted as a musician in the Mexican war, but served as a private soldier until shortly before the close of the war, when he was discharged on account of disability. He then returned to Spencer County and clerked in stores at Rockport, and flat-boated on the river until 1851. After working for a time in a saw-mill erected by his brother, he went in 1852, as a gold-seeker to California, where he remained three years. Returning, he engaged in the grocery business with such good success that he added dry goods in 1858. In 1873 he sold his store and was engaged in the leaf tobacco business until 1882, when he re-purchased the store. This he conducted until January 1, 1884, when it passed into the hands of his son and son-in-law. May 15, 1856, he married Margaret Nevitt, a native of Hancock County, Ky. Eight children were born to this union, three of whom, Flora F. (now Mrs. L. F. Gage), James H. and William C. are now living. Mr. Finch and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.