TARKINGTON, JOSEPH: 1800-1891.
Joseph Tarkington , son of Jesse and Mary Tarkington and grandfather of Newton Booth Tarkington, was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 30, 1800.
In 1815 he moved with his family to Harrison's Blockhouse (now Edwardsport, Ind.) and in 1816 to Stanford, Ind., west of Bloomington . As a young man he farmed with his father. He was converted at a camp meeting in 1820 and in 1824 was licensed to preach.
From 1825 to 1838 he was a circuit preacher in Indiana and Illinois , in 1838 was located at Lawrenceburg, Ind., in 1839 served as pastor at Richmond , and then occupied several stations until 1843, when he was appointed presiding elder for Centerville District. From 1845 to 1853 he occupied pulpits successively in Brookville, Vincennes , and Greensburg . For two years, from 1855 to 1857 he acted as agent for Indiana Asbury (now De Pauw) University, from 1857 to 1862 he was again occupied as a minister, and in 1862 he retired to his home near Greensburg .
Mr. Tarkington married Maria Slauson on Sept. 21, 1831.
Information from Representative Men of Indiana, Vol. I.
- Autobiography of Rev. Joseph Tarkington, one of the Pioneer
Methodist Preachers of Indiana …
Cincinnati, 1899.
