The stability or substantial progress of a country or state is due largely to its agriculturalists and of this class our subject is a worthy representative. He was born in Gibson County, March 7, 1855, and is a representative of one of the oldest families of the state. His grandfather, Abraham Field, was born in Indiana, in a little pioneer home which his parents had established on this then wild western frontier among the Indians. Joseph J. Field, father of our subject was born in 1831, and made farming his life work. He married Nancy Phillips, daughter of Robert Phillips, a pioneer blacksmith of Gibson County. Mr. Field died at the early age of thirty two. His children were Cynthia, wife of Wilson Kinney, of Kingston, California; Robert A.; Grace, wife of Joe Fawcett, of Shelbyville, Illinois. Mr. Field [Robert A.] was twice married, his second union being with Rachael Morrison by whom he had a daughter, Nancy J., now the wife of Henry Polley. From the early age of nine years Robert Field has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood. He was industrious, energetic, and ambitious, and at the time of his marriage had accumulated sufficient capital to establish a pleasant little home. After two years spent in Patoka he rented the Welborn farm and later the Miller farm, cultivating the same until 1889, when he purchased 160 acres. This he placed under a high state of cultivation and the commodious residence, substantial barns and well tilled fields all indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Field was married September 12, 1881, to Miss Fannie Newsum, Daughter of James I. Newsum, deceased. Their children are, Tobe, Elmer, Eldren, Lete and Walter. Mr. Field is a democrat, and a member of the Ancient Order of Unite Workmen. A self-made man, he deserves great credit for his successes in life for all that he possesses is the reward of his labors.

This was excerpted exactly as written from the History of Gibson County, Elia W. Peattie, Owensboro, Kentucky: Cook & McDowell Publications, 1980. pg. 139.

Tombstone of Robert A. Field and Fannie J. Newson is located in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Patoka.

The following correction is to be noted:

The grandfather of Robert A. Field, Abraham Field, was born in Kentucky. Sources: 1880 Federal Census, White River Township, Gibson County, Indiana, Benjamin Field (brother of Joseph J. Field) lists his father as being born in Kentucky. & Cook, Michael L., Pioneer Lewis Families, Vol 1., Cook Publications: Evansville, Indiana, 1978, pg. 1.

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