The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-12
DEATH OF JUDGE TEST.
Biographical Sketch of One of the Oldest of
Indiana's Pioneer Citizens.

Judge Charles H. Test, one of the earliest
residents of Indiana and prominent man in the
public affairs of the State during a period of
more than fifty years died at the residence of
his daughter, Mrs. Mary Dalton, in Vincennes,
Friday evening, and his remains were brought to
this city yesterday for burial Six months ago
his wife died. and he has been failing rapidly
since. He was over eighty three years old, and
his life was ended by the wearing out of old age
The funeral service viii be held at the residence
of John S. Duncan, No. 672 North Alabama
street. this afternoon at 2 o'clock, and will be
conducted by Rev. T. H. Lynch
Judge Test was born July 10. 1901, in VIII
mington Del. Shortly after his birth his par
ents removed to Pennsylvania, and from
there they came to Indiana, set
ting near Brookville, in about the
year 1909 Indiana was then a sparsely settled
territory, and the families of the pioneers were
often compelled to seek safety from the Indians
inside the walls of the block-house. The father
of Judge Test was in the battle of Tippecanoe
and he was afterward the frat judge of the
Eastern Indiana Circuit Court Charles early
began the study of law under him, aud his edu-
cation was obtained almost wholly under the
tutorage Of his parents He was admitted to the
practice of law when only twenty years old, and
in the same year he was married to Miss Davis.
of Rushville. Prior TO his entering upon the
practice of his profession, he assisted the
vey of Indiana, and he was one of the party that
surveyed indianapolis when it was selected as
the site for the State capital When twenty-six
years old he elected Judge of the circuit that
then extended from Dearborn county north to
the lakes. The salary was only 500 year, but
he held the Office over seven years, and then re
signed to practice law. He was in the State
Legislature several years, representing Rush and
Shelby counties, shortly after becoming twenty
one years old, and up to the time of his election
| as judge, in 1928. He practiced law at Law
rencehurg for time and in 1887 moved to Cen
terville, where he lived for several years. He
was candidate for Congress in the Sixth dis
trlct against Caleb Smith, and, although he was
defeated, Smiths majority reduced from
5000 to 800 He represented Wayne county in
the State Senate, and while member Of that
body, III the closely contested struggle between
Albert S. White and Noah Noble, proposition
was made to him from representatives
of both factions to elect him United
States senator, but he refused to
give his consent. From Centerville he moved to
White county, and while living there he was
judge of the Circuit Court two terms. In 1852
he was elected Secretary of State, and held the
Office two terms. He located in indianapolis in
1868, and praeticed law in partnership with
Judge David Burns. When Byron K. Elliott
resigned. in 1872 he was appointed criminal
judge of Marion county, and when nominated
for election for a second term, was defeated by
E. G. Buskirk by majority of FIVE votes.
In 1876 he retired from active life, and until
nine months ago lived at his rural home near
Wheaton, Ill
He was married second time, in 1S41 to Miss
Elizabeth w. Moore, his first wife having died
a few years before. Three children resulted
from each marriage, and there are now four
living-Charles Test, Mrs Lydia R. Taylor,
of Milwaukee, Mrs. Mary Dalton, of VinceDnes
and Mrs John Coburn, of Montana.
He was man of remarkable memory, and
until his death his mental faculties were clear
and vigorous. He knew more of the history of
the State than any other man, from personal
knowledge. He president of the Indiana
Historical Society and was MEMBER of the Tip
peeanoe Club of this city.
He was man of literary inelinations, and
once wrote novel entitled "The Novice
story of pioneer life among the Miami Indians.
1t was accepted and paid for by the Harper
Brothers, but the manuscript was burned in the
fire of 1888, which destroyed the property Of the
publishing house.