LEWIS C. BAUGHMAN, one of the substantial agriculturists residing in Gill township, Sullivan county, is a son of Christopher and Emeline (Davis) Baughman. Lewis C. was born August 24, 1854. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvania. The father came to Indiana and located in Jackson county about 1840. He was a blacksmith, and at first settled at Reddington, but soon after removed to Pea Ridge, bought a farm and erected a blacksmith's shop. He carried on his shop, and also operated his farm, for about three years, when he went to Missouri, locating in Monitor county, but subsequently he moved to Benton county, where he operated a farm in connection with the blacksmith's trade. He remained there until his death in 1862. He was united in marriage in Jackson county, his wife's people being among the pioneer settlers there. The wife died in Jennings county, on a farm about 1883. Christopher and Emeline (Davis) Baughman were the parents of nine children, as follows: Christopher, deceased; Mary, deceased; John, deceased; Enoch, residing in California; Martha, a resident of Jennings county; Ormal G., in Jennings county; Lewis; William, deceased; Silas E., a resident of Jackson county.


Lewis C. Baughman attended the district schools of both Bartholomew and Jackson counties. Since eleven years of age, he has supported himself. He began work at eight dollars a month, one-half of which he gave to his mother. He continued so to work and divide his earnings until he was sixteen years of age. From that date until he was twenty- three years old, he worked for others and kept all of his earnings himself. He then married and rented a farm in Jackson county, remaining there for four years, after which he lived on and cultivated a farm belonging to his father-in-law for twenty years, which farm became the property of Mrs. Baughman. They sold this farm and purchased the one hundred and forty-three acres where they now reside. This change was brought about in 1905. Here the family expect to make their permanent home, and general farming and stock-raising is carried on after an orderly and modern plan, hog-raising being a special feature of the stock-farming.


Mr. Baughman was married October 19, 1881, to Mary E. Gant, born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, in February, 1858, a daughter of Riley and Martha (Wiggs) Gant. The Wiggs family came from North Carolina, her parents being early settlers in that section of the state. The father, who followed farming pursuits, died about 1887; the mother still survives, and resides on the old homestead in Bartholomew county. In the Gant family there were five children, Mrs. Baughman being the oldest. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baughman are as follows: Clarence, deceased; one who died in infancy; Alice, who died at the age of five vears; another who died in infancy; Joseph L., Charles, Dewey and Estella Lenore, the last four being still at home.


Mr. Baughman is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias order, and has passed all the official chairs of his lodge, as well as representing his lodge at the grand lodge of Indiana. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political party affiliations is a Democrat, but has not sought for, nor held political office.