The family was of German origin. Grandfather Thomas Livengood was a wheelwright by trade, and he also manufactured chairs and reels. He left his old home in Davidson County, NC where his son Reverend John P Livengood was born in 1819. He left his old home with his family in NC and came to Indiana with his family to make a new home for himself and loved ones. He first located on land on section 16, Jackson Township, but afterwards purchased land on another section in the same township, and there passed his remaining days, clearing a goodly farm with the aid of his children. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was a truly consistent Christian. His first wife was Eva Shuler, a daughter of Peter Shuler, another pioneer of the county in which his son-in-law was born in NC. Thomas Livengood's second marriage was with Elizabeth Keeling.
Rev. John P Livengood was the eldest of his father's 17 children. His early years were passed in his native county (Davidson, NC), and there he obtained his schooling, but he was mainly self-educated. Before he attained manhood he came to Fountain County with his father, and was of great assistance to him in the hard pioneer labor necessitated in hewing out a farm from the wilderness. He was of a religious nature, was strongly drawn to the ministry, and gave himself to earnest study to qualify himself to preach. He became and influential minister of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was active in his holy calling, until his death, wich occurred Oct 7, 1859, In Montgomery Co, IN His mortal remains were deposited in the cemetery of the Lutheran Church in Franklin Township. His first wife was Lurana, a daughter of Christian Myers. His second wife was Martha Jane Keeting; his third wife was Elizabeth M, a daughter of Juhn Gunther; and his fourth wife was Christina, a daughter of Mathias Sappenfield. By the first marriage there were two children, James Milton Livengood and his sister, Maria J Livengood, who was the wife of Michael S Day. The following children were born of the 2nd marriage: Wilson M, of Jackson Twp; William I, deceased; Ephraim A, a resident of Darlington, Montgomery Co, IN; Thomas R, of Jackson Twp; and Elizabeth E, who lives on the old Livengood homestead. By the 3rd marriage there was one child born that died in infancy. The children of the 4th marriage are: Mary M, wife of James Burks of Parke Co, IN; and Charles A, who resides in Parke Co, IN.
James Milton Livengood was born Sep 19, 1841 in Jackson Twp. He was reared and educated partly in his native township and partly in Franklin Township, Montgomery Co, IN, the family returning to Jackson Twp after the father died. After his father's death young James began to learn the trade of a blacksmith. For a year after he had acquired his trade he was engaged in making reaping machines. He then went on to Jacksonville an was employed there for 7 yrs. While in that city he became acquainted with Miss Masar J Grimes, a daughter of C H Grimes, and the friendship between them resulted in marriage. Mrs Livengood's father was a prominent farmer of Jackson Twp, and one of its earliest settlers, who had come from NC. He was active in public life, serving as Trusteee and Assessor and other official capacities. Mr and Mrs Livengood have six children all whom are living. William L, born Sep 13, 1863 and married Miss Carrie E Stephenson, of Veedersburgh, IN; Louella Alice, who married James H Collins; Flora E, who lives with her parnets; Edgar F and Elsie Pearl.
After he left Jacksonville, James bought 40 acres of land in Cain Township, which is still in his possession in 1893, and is in well improved condition, and he has there a comfortable house. He has continued at his trade as a blacksmith, and has also operated a sawmill for the past 20 yrs, doing an extensive and profitable business in both cases. He is a man of sterling character, of shrewd, round-about common-sense, who occupies a high pace in his community and is identified with various movements calculated to benefit it materially and morally. He is a prominent member of the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association, and was the 1st Vice President of his lodge. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, has been one of it's deacons, and has acted as secretary of the socity for many years. Politically he is an undeniable Democrat.
