Biography of James Provines, pages 717/718/719.  History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a 
citizen of the type of James Provines is all that is 
required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those 
who have at heart of the good name of the community,  
because it is the honorable reputation of the man of 
standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, 
that gives character and stability to the body politic and 
makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and 
respected abroad.  In the broad light which things of good 
repute ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Provines 
stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, 
with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position 
or as a leader of men, his career has been signally 
honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth 
entering upon his life work. James Provines was born in 
Wayne county, now Ashland county, Ohio, on January 7, 1846, 
and is the son of Alexander and Dorcas (Adams) Provines, 
the former born in Pennsylvania on January 31, 1818, and 
the latter in Ohio on January 15, 1820.  On the maternal 
side the subject is Scotch-Irish extraction, and his 
maternal grandfather, Hugh Adams, was a soldier in the war 
of 1812. Hugh Adams was born in county Down, Ireland, about 
1785, and when he was but three months old his parents 
brought their family to America. The subject’s grandparents 
on the paternal side were of good Scotch-Irish stock and 
came to America late in eighteenth century. The subject of 
this sketch received a good, practical education in the 
district schools of his home county and afterward engaged 
in teaching for five terms. After completing his education 
he learned the carpenter’s trade, at which he employed 
himself until he had, by the most rigid economy and good 
management, succeeded in saving enough money with which to 
buy a farm, since which time he has made agriculture his 
life work. He is now the owner of a tract of land of two 
hundred and seventy-seven acres in Jackson township, and 
also owns some good town property. Progressive and 
enterprising in his methods, he has steadily and 
persistently followed out advanced ideas in relation to 
agriculture, with the result that he has been able to 
realize very gratifying returns for his labors. In April, 
1864, Mr. Provines enlisted as a private in Company K, One 
Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, with which he served until October, 1964, when he 
was given an honorable discharge and was mustered out. The 
greater part of his service was as nurse in hospitals, in 
which he rendered good service to his country. Politically, 
Mr. Provines has been identified with the Republican party 
ever since attaining his majority until the Chicago 
convention of 1912, when he severed his connection with the 
old party and aligned himself  with the Progressive party. 
He has never held public office, though he has been honored 
by his party with the nomination for representative and 
county treasurer.  He was appointed county ditch 
superintendent, holding the position for several years, but 
has never been ambitious for public office.  On November 
11, 1869, Mr. Provines married Helen Woolsey, the daughter 
of Joseph and Maria (Scudder) Woolsey, of Delaware county, 
New York, and who came to DeKalb county in 1848, locating 
on the farm that the subject now owns.  To Mr. and Mr. 
Provines have been born three children, Frank A., Mary E. 
and Perry M., all of whom are married and living in DeKalb 
county. Mrs. Helen Provines died on February 24, 1896. She 
was a lady of splendid qualities of character, beloved by 
all who knew her.  Fraternally, Mr. Provines belongs to the 
Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand 
Army of the Republic and Patrons of Industry, and is deeply 
interested in the workings of these various organizations. 
Mr. Provines possesses a social nature and by his genial 
and kindly attitude with those whom he has come in contact, 
he has won the confidence and respect of everyone.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com