He was born in Lexington. Ky. Feb. 24th 1819. His name was John Finley, his father's name was Samuel. His mother's name was Rachel Rineheart

His father was one of the first trustees of Indiana University located at Bloomington. Indiana.

My father came from a large family: six sons five daughters. All the sons had Findley to their names. All the daughters had Ann.

The family moved to liloomington in Ihe fall of IK 19 lo educate their sons at the University. His father had a tanyard. All the boys learned (hat trade.

My father graduated from the University 1841 with the highest honors of his class. His father died Sept. 1834. His mother died in her sleep Nov. 1851. Both are buried in Bloomington. His mother was sixty three when she died. She had sick head ache and went to bed early. Was found in the morning by a grand-daughter.

He had a sister Mary Ann Wilson living in Logansport Indiana. He came to visit her. Decided to locate there. He studied law with Judge Biddle then opened a law office of his own.

He met and married Alice M. Hars May 16. 1844. He was soon made Judge of the Circuit Court. After several years he was elected to the office County Auditor for three terms four years each.

The public didn't think it right to hold the office the third term so he resigned. Deputy Dan Thomlinson look his place and father was made his Deputy. After the Civil War he was made Internal Revenue Collector of several counties that lasted some time. In 1870 he was elected County Auditor again. 1 worked in his office for two years before I was married. I was the first girl to work in an office in Logansport.

He was a tall thin man with black hair. Very quiet. Never talked much. He was a Knight Templar. Loved flowers and books. He had a large library and knew the Bible by heart.

When he left Ihe Court house they gave him an Ebony cane with a gold top with his name. He was called a Walking Encylopcdia.

Later in life he was in pardnership with Mr. Markley and Whipperman in Abstracts and deeds. He was raised a strict Presbyterian. After he was married and had three little children he was converted by a Methodist preacher. He wanted to have the children Christened but my Mother was a Baptist. They couldn't agree. The subject was dropped. We were never Christened until we became Church members. When the Conference was held at Muncie Indiana he was Ordained bul never took a charge.

I have quite a number of his sermons. He had a wonderful memory. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for years. We children always went with him to Sunday School

When the conference met in Logansport. Bishop Ames was entertained al his home. Also preached.

Father never recovered from the shock of Charlie's terrible death. He was five years old Aug. 4th. [He] was killed Sept. 9th 1855. Father's sister Mary Wilson died next day. She wanted to see Mother. Father got a livery stable horse and carriage and look Mother out to see her. When they came back he started to take the horse back. Charlie ran out and went with him. At that time they had high bridges over the Canal. As the horse ran up on the bridge the swingle tree came loose and hit the horse's heel. He gave a jump and threw Charlie out. Was killed instantly. It was before the days of telephone. Mr Legg came to the house to tell Grandmother. She then told Mother.

It happened Sunday afternoon. He was buried Monday afternoon. We all walked to the 9th St. Cemetery. After several months his body was removed to Mt. Hope Cemetery. I was seven years old.

Father had been home for several days with a bad cough. He was taking medicine out of the bottle. A bottle of ammonia was on the stand. He took the wrong bottle. He discovered his mistake too late. The Doctor said he didn't get any of the ammonia, just the fumes. It was terrible to see him suffer. It happened Monday noon. He lived until Wednesday night, He died Aug. 21st 1893, age 74.

Submitted by Barbara Wolfe

"John Hale Stutesman. 305 Spruce Street, San Francisco. CA 94118. copied the above Bible record and biography from a Bible owned by l,ouise (Rauch) Jones. The Bible originally belonged to John Finley Dodds. Mr. Stutesman would like to correspond with other descendants.