Col. Aden G. Cavins

Perhaps no man who has ever lived in Greene county was more highly esteemed while living or more sincerely mourned in death than Col. Aden G. Cavins, who was in deed and truth Greene county’s “grand ‘old man.” Universally admired by men in all walks of life, he was a splendid type of a gentleman. His was a spirit dominated by the highest ideals of service and sacrifice, an illustrious esample of temperate living, unflinching honesty and absolute fidelity to every obligation of citizenship. Rich in his wealth of knowledge and ripe with the experience of years, he seemed an essential personality to his community.

Colonel Cavins was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, October 24, 1827, the son of Samuel R. Cavins, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He grew to boyhood on a farm and securecl only a limited education.in the common schools of his locality. In later years he entered Asbury, now, De Pauw University, where he took a three years’ course. He then entered the University of Indiana at Bloomington, where he graduated from the law department in 1849. He practiced law in Bloomfield, Indiana, until 1858, when he went to Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he practiced law and was elected to the legislature. At the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to Bloomfield, and after recruiting a company for the Fifty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was commissioned captain of Company E in November, 1861. He went to the front and remained until the war ended, passing through some of the most hotly contested battles and hardest campaigns. He was with General Pope on his expedition to New Madrid, Missouri, in 1862, and after Island No. 2 was evacuated he went with his regiment to Pittsburg Landing. He took part in the siege of Corinth. For his distinguished service iri 1862 Governor Morton commissioned him major of the Ninety-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and in December of the same year he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of his regiment. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg. At Jackson, Mississippi, his horse was killed by a cannon ball. He participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge. From there he went to the relief of Burnsides at Knoxville. Later he took part in the bloody engagements at Resaca, Dallas and New Hope church. In June, 1864 his regiment had the honor of capturing seven hundred Confederates, including a large part of the Thirty-first Alabama Regiment, with its field and staff oflicers. At Kenesaw Mountain he led his regiment and at Atlanta his command captured the Fifth Tennessee Regiment, which had killed General McPherson. Later he was present when many hard-fought engagements occurred. and remained in command of the Ninety-seventh Regiment from Goldsborough until he arrived at Washington City at the close of the war, where he was mustered out with the rank of colonel.

After the war he resumed the practice of law unti1 his brother, Col. E. H. C. Cavins, at Bloomfield, and was eminently successful. Several years later he retired and led a quiet life with the companionship of his books and the society of his friends. He was a staunch Republican and in 1880 was the presidential elector for the second congressional district and in 1892 was his party’s candidate for appellate judge. He was a loyal member of the Masonic iraternity and a regular attendant at all its meetings.

Colonel Cavins was twice married. His first wife was Julia Taylor, whom he married in 1851. She died in 1854. Two sons were born to this union - Charles, deceased, and Edward who is living. Later he married Matilda Livingston, who bore him eight children, namely: William L., Frank, Mrs. Margaret E. Henderson, of Bloomfield, Indiana : Mrs. Lelia N. Baughman, of Evansville, Indiana, and Mrs. Josephine D. Torr, of Greencastle, Indiana, and Hugh L., Alden L. and Lee, deceased.

As a lawyer Colonel Cavins was second to none in southern Indiana, and his high precepts of duty have kept many men out of costly litigation. He was the peer of any advocate at the local bar. As a soldier his militant spirit was at its best, and his renown was such as to command recognition from men liigly in the ranks during the war, As a citizen he was straightforward in all his methods, courageoys in his public expressions and benevolent inti his daily associations. As a neighbor he was kindly, considerate and generous.

Colonel Cavins was broad and intellectual and possessed a wonderful memory. He especially liked to recite the stirring events of the world’s wars. He was a close student of history and standard literature and seemed never to forget anything after he had carefully read it. He was a brilliant conversationalist.

He was a man that all could unite in honoring and in whose death all felt a common sorrow --- not because he was all things to all men, hut because he was always a plain, sincere, honest man.

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"Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. with Reminiscences of Pioneer Days", B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN, 1908, Vol. 3 pg. 1238-41

Last updated 10.11.2009