This file of the Biography & Emigration: James Colvin from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to Wayne County, Indiana forms part of the vast archive of 4,000+ pages of genealogical records relating to COUNTIES TYRONE, DONEGAL, LONDONDERRY & FERMANAGH provided without charge or subscription by CoTyroneIreland Welcome to the Premier Website & Research Tool for Cos. Tyrone, Donegal, Londonderry & Fermanagh Genealogy (cotyroneireland.com) A complete list of records pertaining to Biographies and Emigration, County Tyrone on this website can be found at the foot of this file.
(pages 45-46)
James Colvin, who has been a pillar of strength in the upbuilding of the moral and intellectual welfare of this community, and whose life has been one of devotion to his adopted country, State and county, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of stanch Scotch ancestry, Dec. 31, 1843. His present home is in Fountain City, Wayne county, where he is living retired after a life of exceeding usefulness and activity.
His parents were James and Mary J. (Hadden) Colvin, natives of Ireland, and as honored members of the agricultural class successful tillers of their native soil. In Ireland James Colvin, the son, was reared and received the best education afforded by the local schools. In his seventeenth year he decided to try his fortunes in the New World, having heard of the wonderful opportunities in America for a young man endowed, as he was, with the energy and perseverance so characteristic of the Scotch-Irish people, and he accordingly set sail for this land of promise, in 1860, coming direct to Wayne county and locating in Green township. For seven years he labored on leased land and then purchased a tract of his own. Thereafter he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and his farm was tilled with great care and was very productive.
It might be well to state here that when he landed in this country, in 1860, the nation was stirred to its depths in the greatest political battle that had ever been fought in this country. He had been reared a Presbyterian and taught to abhor slavery, hence was not long in deciding upon his political affiliations. Upon reaching his majority he allied himself with the Republican party and at once applied for his naturalization papers and cast his vote for Lincoln, the officer in charge returning to him the fee required of applicants when he learned Mr. Colvin's choice for President. He has since been faithful to the tenets of that party's platforms and every Republican candidate since has received his vote.
After seven years' residence in this county he returned to Ireland on a visit and brought back with him his sister, Anna, who later married Richard Williams and resides in Green township.
In 1874, Mr. Colvin was married to Miss Eliza Cobine, a native of Ireland and daughter of James and Belle (Armstrong) Cobine, natives of Ireland and of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Colvin began housekeeping on a seventy-acre farm which he had purchased in Green township.
After a number of years on that farm he sold it and purchased a ninety-acre farm near by. This last mentioned farm he still owns, and it is one of the best in the township, the house being provided with a good slate roof, and there are good barns and other buildings. Some years later he purchased a farm of no acres of fine land in New Garden township, on the Green township line, but afterward sold it. In 1902 he purchased his present cozy home in Fountain City, which place has been his residence since, and he there expects to end his days.
Mr. and Mrs. Colvin have had no children, but they partially reared and educated Miss Jennie Cobine, a niece of Mrs. Colvin, and who is now the wife of Edward Dunham, a farmer in New Garden township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Colvin were reared Presbyterians, but both united with the United Brethren church in Green township and of that organization were members over thirty years; but since their residence in Fountain City Mrs. Colvin has joined the Wesleyan church, which Mr. Colvin also attends.
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[Note by Annie Crenshaw: James Colvin/Calvin was 34 in the 1870 Indiana census, born Ireland, so born about 1836. In 1880, he was 45, born about 1835; and in 1900 he was 69, with his birth date listed as Dec. 1832. In 1910, he's 79, born Ireland. In "U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865" he's 27, born Ireland (born abt 1836). His tombstone in Williamsburg, Wayne County, Indiana, has "1833-1918," and his Indiana death certificate has his birth date as "9 Feb. 1833." He's given a much later birth date of "Dec. 31, 1843" in the 1912 Indiana memorial book, which doesn't agree with any previous birth date indications (perhaps "1843" was a typo. for 1833). I've researched this family and have records on James' parents: James Colvin and Mary Jane Hadden, and several of his siblings. I'm always glad to share notes and sources, and correspondence with descendants is welcomed.]
Further files of COUNTY TYRONE RECORDS can be found at:
Biographies of People Born in County Tyrone
Emigration and Ships Passenger Lists
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