JAMES M. LABOYTEAUX is numbered among the prominent business men and farmers of Center township. Although he has resided within its borders for many years and has been prominently identified with its interests, he is a native son of Ohio, born in Hamilton county, December 15, 1833, a son of Peter and Phoebe (Davis) Laboyteaux. They were born in New Jersey, Peter, November 29, 1792, and Phoebe, September 26, 1800, but moved to Ohio in 1808, the family making the trip to the northwestern wilderness down the Ohio river in a keel boat. The maternal grandfather, Joshua Davis, was a slave holder in New Jersey, and when he removed to Ohio entered land which is now included in the site of the city of Middletown, Butler county, there establishing his home and passing the remainder of his life, although after entering this tract he returned for a time to his New Jersey home. His name is among the honored patriots of the Revolution, as is also that of the paternal grandfather of Mr. Laboyteaux, who sacrificed his life to the patriots� cause. Seven children were born to Peter and Phoebe Davis Laboyteaux, but two of the number died in infancy, Lucinda passed away in early life, and Evaline, Hannah and Isaac are now deceased, leaving James M. the only surviving child. Peter Laboyteaux learned the tailor�s trade, which was his business for some time, and later engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was classed among the pioneers of Mount Healthy, Hamilton county, Ohio. His death, however, occurred in New Castle, Indiana, October 16, 1872, where he had resided but a short time, and his wife spent her last days in Ohio, where she died December 26, 1885.
At the outbreak of the Civil war James M. Laboyteaux was living in Butler county, and in September, 1861, enlisted for service in the Union cause, joining Company C, Sixty-ninth Volunteer Ohio Infantry. After serving for two years he re-enlisted in the same command at Chattanooga, and, as a brave and loyal soldier, subsequently participated in the battles of Stone�s River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and other hard-fought and sanguinary engagements. He also marched with Sherman to the sea, and was a unit of the grand armies of the north which composed the historic review at Washington. He was discharged as an orderly of General Buell.
At the conclusion of his military service Mr. Laboyteaux returned to his home in New Castle, and a short time thereafter went to Huntsville, Alabama, but has been a continuous resident of Hamilton and Center townships. In 1901 he located on the estate which he now occupies, located two and a half miles north of Muncie. Mr. Laboyteaux�s wife was formerly Huldah Mullen, the three children born to them being all deceased. In politics he is a Republican, and has always generously supported local enterprises of a public and charitable nature, one of the latest marks of his generosity in this regard being his donation of ten thousand dollars for the founding of a Delaware county (Indiana) hospital.