Biography of James Provines, pages 665 / 666. History of De Kalb County, Indiana. Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885. James Provines, third child of Alexander and Dorcas Provines, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1846, and was in his eighth year when his parents moved to De Kalb County. His early education was received in the schools of Jackson Township, and but for his ambition would have ended there, as his services were needed on the farm, but his studious habits when not otherwise employed have made him one of the best informed men in the township. April 30, 1864, he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the 100-day service, in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served till Sept. 29, 1864. Nov. 11, 1869, he was married to Helen Woolsey, a native of Delaware County, N.Y., born Nov. 10, 1844, a daughter of Joseph and Maria Woolsey. They have three children---Frank A., Mary E. and Perry M. Mr. Provines is an active, successful business man. In connection with carrying on his farm he deals extensively in stock, shipping to the Buffalo market. Mrs. Provines’ parents came to De Kalb County in February, 1848, and settled on section 3, Jackson Township, the west half of their homestead of 160 acres being the home of Mr. Provines. They had a family of eight children---Elizabeth, a prominent school teacher, died at the age of twenty-six years; Abigail, widow of William Stewart, who died while in the war, a member of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry; Mary, wife of Henry Straub, of Sargent County, Dak.; Jotham, of Smithfield Township; Catherine, wife of Charles Sherlock, died in Kansas in March, 1884; Frances, wife of Athens Carr, died in Michigan in February, 1874; Helen, wife of James Provines; Charlotte, died in 1851, aged five years and Clarinda. Joseph Woolsey was a liberally educated man for this time, a cousin of President Woosley of Yale College, and was born the same year, 1801. He was Township Superintendent of Schools fourteen years, in Delaware County, and after coming to Indiana was prominent in all matters of educational interest, and at the time of his death, Nov. 6, 1858, was Township Clerk. His widow died March 10, 1880, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Provines Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com