Capt. Carson Porter Rodman
 

This gentleman is another of the old soldiers whom it is a delight to honor. They are getting fewer and fewer in number and their March is not as quick and full of meaning and fire as it was fifty years ago when they were fighting for the perpetuity of the Union, but it thrills one to see them in their old uniforms, with their tattered flags flying and their forms bent as they hobble along on their canes at reunions or on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. And how interesting it is to hear them tell the story of the dreadful hardships they endured in the crowded hospitals, on the harassing marches, or in the battles and skirmishes, or in the prison cells of the Southern Confederacy. But their time is short now, so all persons should join in honoring them for the sacrifices they made when they were young and full of the love of life, but which was offered free on the altar of their country.

Capt. Carson Porter Rodman, who, after a very active, useful and successful life, is living in honorable retirement in his cozy home in Lebanon, is one of the oldest native-born citizens of Boone county, his birth having occurred on a farm here October 15, 1835. He is a son of James and Mary (Guysinger) Rodman, one of the thrifty pioneer families of this county. James Rodman was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, about 1802, and was a son of John H. and Nancy (Cusic) Rodman. John Rodman was an early settler in the Blue Grass state, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, tracing his ancestry back to the sixteenth century in Scotland. He was a farmer in Kentucky and after the war of 1812 moved near Zanesville, Ohio, where he lived until about 1836, when he came to Marion county, Indiana, where he lived with his daughter until his death. James Rodman came to Boone county, Indiana, in 1820, when eighteen years of age, to hunt and trap game and fur-bearing animals then being abundant hereaway, and it is highly probable that he was one of the first white men in the county. In 1824 he entered one hundred and sixty acres here, which he cleared and developed into a good farm and on this he established a comfortable home, where he lived until 1839, when he removed to Shelby county, Illinois, and purchased two hundred and forty acres, on which he farmed until 1842, when he was killed by a bully who had a grudge against him. He was a strong character, rugged, courageous, hospitable and honest. Politically, he was a Democrat and in religious matters a Scotch Presbyterian. He and Mary Guysinger were married in 1824. She was born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1805, and was of Austrian descent. Her death occurred in 1893.

Capt. Carson P. Rodman grew to manhood on the farm and there he found plenty of hard work to do when a boy. He received his education in the common schools. When seven years of age he went to live with his uncle at Zionsville. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in July, 1861, in Company A, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was at once commissioned second lieutenant, and he proved to be a most faithful and gallant officer, having the good will and confidence of both his soldiers and superior officers. After the battle of Mill Springs he was ordered home to receive a promotion to adjutant, appointed by Gov. Oliver P. Morton, and was assigned to the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which he organized. He was offered the colonelcy of this regiment but refused on account of his youth. After the battle of Stone River he was promoted to captain of Company H, Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in about twenty-six engagements, including the following: Stone River, Dalton, Cave Hill City, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Cassville, those incident to the Atlanta campaign, Eutaw River, Burnt Hickory, Little Pine Top Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesville, Lovejoy Station and numerous others of lesser note. He contracted rheumatism and was mustered out of service in November, 1864, with the rank of captain, and was honorably discharged.

After his military career, Captain Rodman returned to Indiana and began in the milling business at Clarkshill, which he continued two years, then spent a year near Michigan City, two years at Goodland, two years at Eugene, two years at Danville, Illinois, all the while continuing the milling business. He then superintended the building of an elevator at Remington, Indiana, where he remained three years. He spent the next four years in Boone county, having been appointed deputy county treasurer under S. S. Daily. After his term of office expired he spent a year in the hardware business. In 1878 he went to Chanute, Kansas, where he engaged in the milling business until 1880, then went to Kansas City, where he continued the same line for three years. We next find him in Sedalia, Missouri, where he spent two years, then in Kingman, Kansas, operating a mill at both places, continuing in the latter until 1907, when he retired from active life, having accumulated a handsome competency through his industry and good management, having had few equals and no superiors in the milling business, every phase of which he thoroughly mastered. When he retired he moved to Lebanon, Indiana, where he has since resided in a modern and attractive home, spending his declining years in comfort and surrounded by every convenience.

Captain Rodman was married on February 11, 1858, to Mary E. Daugherty, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 10, 1840, and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Her family was well known and highly esteemed in that locality. She proved to be a faithful and competent helpmeet and was always a favorite with a wide circle of friends, being the possessor of many charming attributes of head and heart. She was called to her eternal rest August 22, 1895.

To the Captain and wife three children were born, namely: Roland L., of Corpus Christi, Texas; Luella M. married C. B. Parmenter, and they live in Kingman, Kansas, Harry C. makes his home in Baltimore, Maryland.

On October 2, 1907, Captain Rodman married Mrs. Mary A. Hendricks, a lady of refinement and a representative of an excellent old family. Personally, the Captain is a man of fine characteristics, honorable in all the relations of life, companionable, charitable and public-spirited, and he has been highly respected and influential in the many different localities where he has resided.

Submitted by: Amy K. Davis
Source: "History of Boone County, Indiana," by Hon. L. M. Crist, 1914