Surname: Compendium of BiographyOf Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920 HON. ROBERT LINDSEY POLKIn the death of the honored subject of this memoir, May 7, 1881, at his home on West Broad street, New Castle, Indiana, there passed away another member of that group of distinguished and representative professional men who were the leaders in inaugurating and building up the commercial interests of Henry County, Indiana. His name is familiar, not alone to the residents of the city to whose development he contributed so conspicuously, but to all who have been informed in regard to the history of this particular section of the Hoosier State. He was identified with the growth of Henry County all his life and greatly contributed to its material progress and prosperity. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discover the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing section of the commonwealth, and acting in accordance with the dictates of faith and judgment, he reaped, in the fullness of time, the generous benefits which are the just recompense of indomitable industry, spotless integrity and marvelous enterprise. Prominently connected with the business and professional interests of New Castle, the career of Judge Robert Lindsey Polk is one eminently worthy of permanent record. Greater fortunes have been accumulated by others, but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of sound business principles and safe conservatism as does his. The story of his success is not long nor does it contain many exciting chapters; but in it lies one of the most valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records; his business and private life are replete with interest and incentive, no matter how lacking in dramatic action, the record of a noble life, consistent with itself and its possibilities in every direction. This eminent jurist, late judge of the eighteenth judicial circuit (Henry and Hancock Counties) of Indiana, was a native of this state, born in Greensboro, Henry County, October 12, 1841. The parents from whom he descended were Robert H. and Hannah (Hodgin) Polk, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. His grandfather, Capt. William Polk, was a native of Ireland and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, settling in eastern Virginia where he engaged in the manufacture of salt, and it was at the beginning of the war for independence that the Tories, or adherents of the British government, maliciously burnt his salt works as giving aid to the enemy. He immediately thereafter raised a company of military, of which he was elected commander, and hence his title of Captain, which title he bore the remainder of his life. The company bore itself gallantly from the beginning to the end of the war, serving in some of the most desperate engagements, particularly those at the south. Robert H. Polk, father of the late Judge Robert Lindsey Polk, was a pioneer of Henry County and one of its most enterprising and highly esteemed citizens. He was a life-long Republican and took an active interest in the success of his party, but was never an aspirant for public favors, though he was prevailed upon, while a resident of Greensboro, to accept the postmastership of that place, which position he filled for several years. He was a member of the Masonic order, in which fraternity he had been a regular attendant for many years. He was also, as was his wife, zealous and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. His death occurred at New Castle in 1891, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, having long survived his wife, who died in 1873. She was of English descent and came of the same family with that of the late war governor of New York, who became famous at the incipience of the Civil war by his issuance of the mandate: “If any man attempt to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.” When Robert L. Polk had reached his eleventh year, his parents came with their family to New Castle, and here the boy for two years attended a school taught by James S. Ferris and Russell B. Abbott, after which he took a course at Bryant and Stratton’s Commercial College in Cleveland, Ohio. He next entered Whitewater College at Centreville, under Prof. XV. H. Barnes, attended one year, and then began reading law with James Brown, father of William A. Brown, the attorney with whom Mr. Polk formed a partnership in 1863,which was maintained until 1872. In that year Mr. Polk was elected judge of the court of common pleas. This office, however, was abolished the following year, and Mr. Polk then re-engaged in the practice of his profession, this time alone, and so continued until 1876, when he was elected on the Republican ticket, judge of the eighteenth judicial circuit court, which honorable position he worthily and judiciously filled until his death. Judge Polk was a man whose character was above reproach. He was not only a refined, polished gentleman, but was endowed with moral and conscientious scruples, which made his life one of perfection and admiration. He was noted for his generous hospitality and at all times took delight in receiving his numerous friends, and in enjoying with them the “feast of reason and the flow of soul.” The last social gathering in which he participated was held on the fifteenth anniversary of his wedding. He also enjoyed all games calling for the exercise of his intellectual powers, such as chess, and was fond of hunting, when off the bench, and it is even said of him as a joke that he once adjourned court to witness a game of baseball. He nevertheless left behind him a reputation unexcelled for purity in office and ability as a jurist, as well as a useful member of society and in his death Henry County was bereft of one of its most valuable and highly esteemed citizens. Judge Polk was united in marriage on the 28th day of November 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriet, daughter of Rev. Milton Mahin, a biographical sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume, and to this union were born five children, viz: Paul, who is in the house-furnishing business in Louisville, Kentucky; Mary is the wife of Dr. R. H. Ritter, of Indianapolis; George is a decorator, still living under the maternal roof; Catherine, the wife of Dr. W. J. Sandy, of Gosport, Indiana, and Dudley is now in business with his brother Paul at Louisville, Kentucky. Judge Polk was well read in all classes of literature and took great interest in the education of his children, of whom Mary was graduated from DePauw University, taught school two years in Henry County and two years in the Indianapolis schools. Paul and Catherine were also attendants at the same institutions. Mrs. Polk is a native of Indiana, having first seen the light of day at Versailles, Ripley County, October 22, 1844. She is a highly educated lady, and possessed of refined literary tastes and talents, illustrating in her pleasing personality many of the valuable and worthy traits of the native born and bred lady of culture. She is endowed with great strength of character and agreeable manners, which easily win her friends, and her pleasant home is often the scene of enjoyable social intercourse. She served as the first vice-president and the second president of the Woman’s Club at New Castle, and also held membership in other literary societies. She is a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also her husband, and is highly respected and esteemed for her genuine worth by all who know her.