Andrew J. Boone

A. J. BOONE - Mr. Boone, a descendant of the noted pioneer of Kentucky, was during his lifetime an active, influential citizen of Boone County. His father, Benjamin Boone, was born in Kentucky, resided there up to 1827, when he removed to Preble County, Ohio, and in 1834 came to Rush County, Ind. In 1838 he removed to Boone County, Ind.  A. J. Boone, the subject of this sketch, was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 17, 1820. In 1841 he was elected county auditor, serving until 1843. In early life he decided to become a lawyer, and in the year 1848 was licensed to practice, having previously engaged in school teaching in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Lebanon, Ind. In 1851, he was married to Mary E. McLaughlin, daughter of the late James McLaughlin, an early citizen of the county. In 1849 and up to 1853, he was assistant clerk of the house of representatives of Indiana. As an attorney, he rose rapidly, and became a successful practitioner, not only at the bar of Lebanon and adjoining county seats, but at the bar of the Supreme Court. He was one of the prime movers in establishing the Boone County Pioneer in Lebanon. He was also among the first advocates of a county fair, and served as director and stockholder many years. In 1873 he was elected to the state senate from Boone County, where he served with credit four years. He was associated in the practice of law with R. W. Harrison, of Lebanon, during which time he resided on his farm, four miles southeast of Lebanon, walking to and from his office almost daily; this to gain his failing health. All through life in his various pursuits, in private and public he was active and industrious. While the profession of law was an honor to him, he was an honor to it, never stooping to low, dishonorable actions. He died at his home in the county July 12, 1875. Mr. Boone was a member of the Christian Church. His widow resides on the farm, and for the past few years has been an invalid. After Mr. Boone died, Mrs. Boone married Mr. Harper, with whom she lived up to his death in 1814. Mrs. Harper died February 18, 1887.
 

Submitted by: Jane A. Heine
Source: "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," Harden & Spahr, Lebanon, Ind., May, 1887.

[2nd biography follows]

ANDREW J. BOONE, Lebanon.

Mr. Boone, the paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Germany, and settled in North Carolina, about the middle of the seventeenth century. Daniel Boone, the grandfather of the late Senator A. J. Boone, was born in that State, and after reaching years of maturity, removed to the State of Kentucky, and settled near the Big-Bone Licks. His son, Benjamin, was the father of the subject of this sketch. Benjamin Boone was born in Kentucky, in 1795. In 1800, the grandfather, with his family, crossed the Ohio River, at the point where Cincinnati is now located, finally settling in Preble County, Ohio.

The maternal great-grandfather, Poyner, came from Wales, and settled in the State of Georgia. His son, Peter Poyner, was the maternal grandsire of the subject of this sketch. He married, and reared several children, one of whom -- Charlotte -- was the mother of Andrew J. Boone. The grandfather was opposed to the institution of slavery, and determined to leave a region where the system was in vogue. Accordingly, in the year 1800, he removed with his family to Preble County, Ohio, where nineteen years later, his daughter Charlotte united in marriage with Benjamin Boone.

The latter engaged at once in the labor of clearing the timber from his farm and cultivating portions already cleared. In 1827, he removed with his wife and family, to Union County, Ind., where he remained until 1834, removing at that time, to Rush County, in the same State. After the year 1827, he engaged in milling operations in connection with farming, remaining thus engaged until 1836. In 1838, he removed to Boone County, and settled on a farm. He was a man of ability, and was chosen to fill various offices of honor and trust. He was a Representative from Rush County in the Legislative session of 1837-38, and from Boone in the session of 1843-44.

His son, Andrew J. Boone, was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 17, 1820. His father's family consisted of five sisters and three brothers, of whom all are now deceased, save the youngest sister. His father died several years ago. From 1828 to 1833, he was engaged in milling and farming, and for two years thereafter was engaged almost exclusively in milling, subsequently returning to farm life.

His education was acquired at the common and private schools which existed at the period of his-youth. Among his schoolmates was Prof. Hopkins, who recently filled the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in this State. As he grew older, he realized and lamented the imperfection of his educational attainments, and devoted every leisure moment to careful study. When twenty-one years of age, in August, 1841, he was elected Auditor of Boone County, and served in that capacity until December, 1843. He then resigned his office and entered Indiana University, with a view to preparing himself for a professional life.

In November, 1840, he took charge of a country school, and during his service in this capacity gained a fine reputation as a teacher. He taught several terms in the seminary at Leavenworth, and also in the Lebanon Seminary, having for his pupils many who have since attained distinction, and occupied prominent places in the State.

In early life he conceived the desire to become a lawyer, and devoted his time to the study of that profession. In 1848, he was licensed to practice, but did not open an office until 1851, in the mean time pursuing his studies in that direction.

From 1849 to 1853, he was Assistant Clerk in the House of Representatives of this State, where, by his fidelity and efficiency, he won universal approbation.

In April, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Eliza McLaughlin, a native of Boone County. Seven children blessed this union -- six sons and one daughter -- of whom all are now living save the latter, who died in infancy.

Through the financial crisis of 1889, the fortunes of his father were greatly impaired, and from that time until his decease, Mr. Boone contributed largely toward the support of his father’s family.

As before stated, he began the practice of the law in 1851, and rose rapidly in his profession. He practiced in all the courts of the State, and his name is connected with many of the principal cases which have been before the Supreme Court of the State for adjudication.

As a result of too close application, his health became impaired, and he was forced to abandon his profession for a time. He retired to his farm, where, by exercise in the open air, he gradually recovered. He resumed the practice in 1867, in partnership with R. W. Harrison, Esq. For eight years he walked almost every day (excepting in very warm weather) to and from his office, making a round trip of eight miles daily, for the purpose of recuperating his shattered health.

As a lawyer, Mr. Boone possessed all the qualities which constitute an able attorney. He was a safe and honest counselor, a good pleader, and examined a witness with skill and ingenuity. He was also a good advocate. Rarely are all these faculties combined in one man. In addition, he was very industrious, and was constantly engaged in the study and preparation of his cases.

Although thoroughly attentive to the duties of his profession, he was at the same time actively identified with the general improvement of his county; and all enterprises having that object in view found in him an able advocate and a generous supporter. He advanced the major portion of the amount necessary to establish the Boone County Pioneer, the first newspaper printed in Boone County; and although not its editor, he wrote its salutatory and many other articles of eminent ability, which were copied and approved in high terms by many established and reliable papers throughout the State. In his younger days, he wrote some very meritorious poems, which were published in various papers and magazines of the country; but his literary efforts were directed chiefly toward agriculture and the development of the nation's resources, and for twenty-five years was the correspondent of the Department at Washington, reporting the resources of his county and their development.

He was the prime mover in the organization of the Agricultural Society of Boone County, and continued its Secretary and Business Manager for eighteen years, when, at his own urgent request, he was relieved of the responsibility, his engagements being of a nature that demanded his closest attention.

His political choice was with the Democratic party, and throughout his life he was an active worker in its behalf. He was always liberal in his views, and never descended to abuse of the opposition party. He was not an office-seeker, and was never known to solicit a vote for himself. Political honors were conferred upon him, however, and from the age of 21 to the time of his death, he was repeatedly called upon to fill offices of responsibility. At the urgent request of friends and neighbors, he consented to become a candidate for the State Senate, and was chosen by the united vote of good men, irrespective of party.

His health became permanently impaired early in the session of the Senate of 1875, and from the effects of the impure air of the old Senate chamber he never recovered. Yet he appeared and practiced in the Boone and Clinton Circuit Courts through May and a portion of June, 1875. About the 1st of July, he was confined to his bed, and died on the 12th day of that month.

He was a man of sterling integrity, and his advice was sought by all classes, in matters relating to the farm, the household and the public. He was liberal to a fault and was often known to sacrifice his own convenience and comfort to accommodate a friend, and has repeatedly loaned money to poor men, on their own note, without security or interest. He was a member of the Christian (or Campbellite) Church, and, as such, lived an exemplary life. He was one of the pioneers of Boone County, and one of the pioneer lawyers of Lebanon. He witnessed its growth from a backwoods settlement to a cultured and refined community, and has mingled in its achievements, progressing with them and assisting them by his influence and means. In the foregoing biography we have endeavored to give an outline of the life of one of the descendants of Daniel Boone, the pioneer hunter of Kentucky, and one of Indiana's best and most reliable men.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2008. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: "Combination Atlas Map of Boone County Indiana," Kingman Brothers, 1878, pp 15-16.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - October 15, 2008