JOHN CAIRNS, farmer and justice of the peace, Jackson Township, born in Ripley County, Ind., May 13, 1824, is a son of William and Maria Cairns, natives of New Jersey, settling in this county in 1818.

Entering the southeast quarter of Section 31, Jackson Township, upon which he located, being one among the earliest settlers.

Subsequently he relinquished one-half of his land, and after residing on the other half about three years sold it, and removed into Ripley County, near Pennsylvaniaburg, (now called Pentown) where he resided till 1828.

Here turned to this county and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 30. In 1831 he traded his land for land in Section 31, where his son, our subject, now resides, and here he spent the remainder of his life.

He died May 20, 1848^ aged sixty years. He was twice married. His first wife died in 1827, by whom he had four children, three grew to maturity: Harriet, married Joseph Regan, and resides in Franklin County, Ind.; Elizabeth, married Joseph Meister, is now deceased, and John. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Engel. She died March 25, 1868, aged nearly eightyeight years.

Mr. Cairns was a painter by trade, which occupation he followed several years in his native State. After settling in Indiana he gave his attention principally to farming, also doing some work as a mason, at which, in laying brick and stone, he was a proficient workman.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church for many years, John Cairns, Esq., was the youngest child of the family, and here grew to manhood. October 12, 1843, he was united in marriage with Jane Anderson, born in 1821, a daughter of Claudius and Jane Anderson, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, becoming settlers of this county in 1831, where they resided till death.

He died January 11, 1874, aged eighty-three years. His widow died January 25, 1881, aged eighty years. They had ten children, six now living: Jane, Sarah, William B., George, John and Robert.

Squire Cairns and wife have had eight children, four of whom survive: Mary Ann, wife of Henry Kretzmeir; Jane; Caroline, wife of Edward O'Brien, and Robert.

Mr. Cairns taught school seventeen winters, all in three school districts. He has served as justice of the peace twenty-four years, being first elected in 1859. This long period of service by re-elections, exhibits a popularity and a confidence won which is rarely found. He has also held the office of township trustee, and other minor offices. After the death of his father, Mr. Cairns took the home place. To the original farm he has added by purchase till it now embraces 147 acres, upon which he has- erected good buildings and made many improvements.

He has been a member of the Lutheran Church forty-six years, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years.

FOOTNOTES: Source: Book "History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana" Page 657.