JAMES D. MCKENZIE, Situated half a mile southwest of the town of Lapel in Stony Creek Township the rural home of James D. McKenzie, a place of one hundred and twenty acres possesses all the attractive improvements and profitable quality for which Madison County farms are noted throughout the state, Mr. McKenzie has made farming his life work, has given it his best energy, and not only has substantial material fruits of his labors, but also the esteem and respect of the community in which he has for many years resided.
James D. McKenzie was born in White River Township in Hamilton County, Indiana, August 8, 1850, a son of Andrew J. and Nancy D. (Ferguson) McKenzie. The father, a native of Kentucky, was reared up to the age of fourteen in Cincinnati, Oho, and then came to Hamilton County, where he spent the remainder of his career as a farmer. In 1856 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Hamilton County, and gave efficient service in that capacity for one term, Besides farming he also followed the vocation of auctioneer, and was a well known figure in that County. Fraternally he was a Mason, His death occurred in December, 1876, and Ile was the father of nine children, the two now living being Andrew J., of Montana, and James.
James D. McKenzie was reared on a farm in Hamilton County, and had the advantages of the district schools in that vicinity. On July 29, 1871 he married Sarah R. Castor, a native of Hamilton and educated in the public schools there. Her death occurred in 1904. On April 2, 1908, Mr. McKenzie married for his present wife Mrs. Eva Eakin, who was born in White River Township of Hamilton County, and her maiden name was Eva Shepard, She attained most of her schooling in Noblesville, The children of her first marriage are as follows: Grace, a graduate of St. Mary of the Woods at Terre Haute, and now the wife of Fred Lucas of Peoria, Illinois; and George, who married Eula Bales, and lives in this state, Mrs. McKenzie is a member of the Christian church at Noblesville, while Mr. McKenzie ‘s church affiliations are with the Wesleyan Methodist. In politics he is a Republican, but has never held any official position, and has been content to give his vote for the cause of good government, and to lend a hand wherever possible to advance the best interests and welfare of his home community.