Hamilton County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 4 of 14)

Mr. Mendenhall was married November 4, 1884, to Nancy J. Hinshaw, who was bom October 16, 1863, in Clay township, in this county. She was the daughter of John F. and Mary J. (Cruse) Hinshaw. John Hinshaw, son of Stephen and Julia Elma (Hoover) Hinshaw, natives of North Caro¬ lina, was born in Greensboro, in that state, and came to Indiana in the fall of 1830. Stephen Hinshaw was the son of Thomas and Rebecca (Holliday) Hinshaw, and Thomas Hinshaw was born near Castle Bellingham, county of Tyrone, Ireland, and came to this country in 1793. Julia Elma Hoover was the daughter of John and Milicent (Winslow) Hoover. The Win¬ slows first came to this country in the Mayflower in 1620.

To this first marriage of Albert E. Mendenhall were born four chil¬ dren, three of whom are still living: Dessie, Nira B., Madge and Ina R. Dessie married Orris Heather and lives in Carmel. They have three chil¬ dren : Arthelma, Martha and Sarah Ella. Nira B. married Arthur Lewis and lives in La Porte, and has one son, Richard M. Madge married Herbert Talbert and lives in Marion county on a farm. Ina R. died when she was six years of age. The mother of these four children died November 9, 1898. Mr. Mendenhall was married a second time, on September 13, 1904, to Melissa Applegate, a daughter of Thomas J. and Sarah E. (Middleton) Applegate, born September 22, 1872. in the northern part of Marion County, Indiana. Her parents were born in Ohio near Urbana. Thomas Applegate being the son of Ebenezer and Martha (Richardson) Applegate, also natives of Ohio. The Applegates came to Hamilton county, Indiana, at an early date and entered about five hundred acres of land just east of Carmel. The Applegates are of Irish descent, and the Richardsons trace their ancestry back to Colonial times. By her first marriage Mrs. Mendenhall has one son, Earl Applegate, who married Bessie Quick and now lives on the Elliott farm just west of the Mendenhall farm. The Mendenhall family have all been Quakers, while the Applegates are all Methodists.

In politics, Mr. Mendenhall has been a life long Democrat, but has -never been a seeker after political honors. The only office which he ever held was that of road supervisor. Fraternally, he is a member of the In¬ dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and also maintains membership in the National Horse Thief Detective Association, an organization which enrolls a large number of farmers in this county. Mr. Mendenhall is essentially a self-made man, having won his present success solely through his own un¬ aided efforts, and for this reason is highly esteemed by every one who knows him. While he has gained a definite material' success he has not been blind to the duties which he owes to his neighborhood at large, and accordingly has heartily given his support to all worthy measures which he thought would in any way benefit his community and his fellow citizens.

Dennis Garrity

In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recogni¬ tion of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perse¬ verance. industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life, making his influence felt for good in his community in Clay township, Hamilton county, where he has long maintained his home, and because of the honorable career he has known here and also because of the fact that he is numbered among those patriotic sons of the North who assisted in saving the Union's integrity in the dark days of the sixties, he is eminently worthy of a place in this book.

Dennis Garritv, a prosperous farmer of Clay township, this county, was born in Delaware county, Indiana, February 12, 1843, the son of William and Eliza (Casey) Garrity, who were both natives of Ireland, and who came to this country about 1825. William Garrity was a contractor and farmer and when the present Lake Erie & Western railroad was built through Hamilton county, he was one of the contractors who helped to grade the right of way through this county. William Garrity and wife were the parents of eight children, Patrick, John, James, Dennis, William, Mary, Elizabeth and one who died in infancy.

When Dennis Garrity was about eight years of age both of his parents died and he was then bound out to a farmer in the neighborhood in accord¬ ance with the custom of that time. When the Civil War opened he ran away from the farmer with whom he had been living and joined the army, enlisted in Company I, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which company he served for four years and four months. He took part in all the hard fought battles in which his regiment was engaged until he reached Georgia. At Rome, Georgia, he, with the entire brigade, was taken prisoner by the Confederates and taken to Richmond where he was confined on Belle Isle in the James river. Four months later he was exchanged and then re¬ joined his company, serving until his final discharge at the close of the war.

Mr. Garrity returned to this state immediately after being mustered out of the service and engaged in farming and teaming. He rented twenty or thirty acres of land and teamed when he was not engaged in tilling his fields. He did this for several years and then bought a farm in Marion county, this state. He only kept this farm one year, when he sold it and purchased a farm in Blackford county, this state, but becoming dissatisfied with this farm, sold it shortly afterwards and returned to Marion county, where he rented a farm. After living here a short time he went to Clay township in Hamilton county, where he purchased fifty-five acres, where he is now living. He has prospered as a farmer and added to his original purchase from time to time until he is now the owner of one hundred and fifteen acres of highly pro¬ ductive land in Clay township. He is classed among the progressive farmers of his locality and has made a specialty of the raising of registered Chester White hogs, in which line he has been very successful.

Dennis Garrity was married April io, 1872, to Hannah Williams, the daughter of James and Mary (Richards) Williams, a native of England, who was born October 28, 1846. The Williams family came to this country when Hannah was five years of age, making the trip in one of the old fashioned sailing vessels, and the voyage to this country occupied six weeks and five days. Mr. Williams had come to the United States the year before his family came in order to look for a suitable home. He was a tailor by trade and first located in Pennsylvania, subsequently moving to Ohio and then to Indiana, where he lived until his death. Mr. and Mrs. James Williams were the parents of nine children, Ann, Elizabeth, James, Hannah, Henry, Amelia,

Henry, Thomas and William. There were two children by the name of Henry, the first one dying in infancy. Before her marriage to Mr. Garrity, Hannah Williams taught school for six or seven years. To this marriage of Mr. Garrity were born five children, Essie, Mary A., Elizabeth G., Alfred D. and James W. Essie is still at home; Mary A. is the wife of Earl Murphy and lives one and one-half miles northwest of her father's farm, and they are the parents of two sons, Kenneth A. and Myron E. ; Elizabeth G. and Alfred D. still live at home with their parents ; James W. died in infancy.

Tn politics, Mr. Garrity is a Republican and while he takes a deep interest in public affairs, has never been an aspirant for any public office. He and his family are earnest members of the Friends church and contribute gener¬ ously of their means to its support. He has been a close observer and dili¬ gent student of the progress of the world and has been an important factor in the community where he has lived so many years. He gives his support to all worthy enterprises which he feels will benefit his fellow citizens in any way, and is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by them.

Frederick L. Brown

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages, and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses as well as those of energy and- thrift have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that inde¬ pendence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood, and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature, in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned states¬ men and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were in¬ debted largely to its early influence for the distinction they attained.

Frederick L. Brown, a prosperous farmer in Clay township, this county, was born May n, 1864, in Marion county, Indiana. His parents were Leander S. and Rose (Huffman) Brown, both natives of Indiana. Leander S. Brown was born near Plainfield, Indiana, his parents having come from North Carolina, settling in Hendricks county in pioneer times. . Leander S. spent most of his mature life in Marion and Hamilton counties, and died March 28, 1914. His mother died shortly after her son's birth, and conse- quently but little is known of her ancestry. She was the daughter of Jonas and Matilda Huffman, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Marion county, Indiana. When Frederick L. Brown was a small boy his grand¬ mother told him of the many trials and tribulations which befell the early pioneers of this state. The first cabin of the Huffmans in this state was, of course, made of logs and a door was made of green timber, the logs being hewed with a broad axe. As this door dried it shrank and left a large crack at the bottom. One time when his grandfather had gone to Noblesville to the mill his grandmother brought a small calf into the house for fear that the wolves would get into the stable and carry it off. That night the wolves, which were howling around the house, smelled the calf in the house and came up to the door. They stuck their paws in at the crack of the door and. his grandmother and a neighbor woman who stayed with her that night took their axes and chopped the paws of the wolves off.

Frederick L. Brown was one of fourteen children born to his parents, consequently early in life be began to help in the support of the family. He received a good common school education which he has supplemented by wide reading since leaving school. He lived at home until his marriage, in 1884, and then moved on a forty acre farm which he had previously purchased three miles east of Carmel. He and his young wife did not live here very long, selling this farm and buying another where they are now living. The second farm had forty acres in it, and since buying it he has added nineteen acres. In 1894 Mr. Brown built a story and a half house on his farm, and in 1908 he remodeled tfiis, making a splendid and hand¬ some home of two stories. Mr. Brown has always been a hard working man, and deserves a great deal of credit for the success which he has made in life. He has attained his prosperity solely through his own unaided efforts, and is therefore a type of the highest class of American citizen.

Mr. Brown was married February 9, 1884, to Minnie Bristow, who was born June 15, 1866, in Johnson county, in this state. Her parents, Thomas and Easter (Sells) Bristow, were also natives of Johnson county, and reared a family of three children.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have an interesting family of twelve children, all of whom are living. The children in the order of their birth are as fol¬ lows: Frank, Lena, Claude, Ethel, Ina, Goldie, Harry, Walter, Ernest, Bernal, Loren and Hershel. Frank married Ruth Dillehunt and lives in Broad Ripple, Indiana. He is an employe in. the Federal building, in In¬ dianapolis, in the post office department. Lena is the wife of Samuel Ray¬ mond and lives in Pennsylvania. Claude is a cutter in the factory of the

Kahn Tailoring Company, at Indianapolis, and lives there. Ethel married Vernon Gish, a railroad employe, living in St. Louis, Missouri. Ina mar¬ ried Otis Brattain and lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Brattain have one son, Arnold Edwin. The seven youngest children are still living with their parents.

Mr. Brown is a stanch Republican in politics, and is always interested in the success of his party. He has been a road supervisor for eight years in his home township, and has taken a great deal of pride in keeping the roads in this township in excellent condition. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while his wife holds membership in the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are highly respected throughout the community in which they live, and have many warm friends who admire them for their many good qualities of head and heart.

John B. Hoskins

All callings, whether humble or exalted, may be productive of some measure of success, if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in no case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well ap¬ plied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enumerated qualities. When a course of action is once decided upon these attributes are essential. Success is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, only those who have diligently sought her favor being crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of John B. Hoskins, a prosperous and influential agriculturist, of Delaware township, we find that the above named elements have entered largely into his make-up and therefore we are not surprised at the large and ever-growing success which he has attained.

John B. Hoskins, the son of Moses S. and Phoebe P. (Mendenhall) Hoskins, was born July 20, 1863, one and one-half miles east of Westfield, in this county. His parents were natives of North Carolina and came to Indiana in 1859 because of their strong aversion to slavery. The families of his parents were wealthy people in Carolina, but when it was seen that war was inevitable, the state of North Carolina began to confiscate the property of Abolitionists in their state. Both families had their property confiscated and were practically forced to leave the state. Accordingly they* came to Indiana, as did thousands of other people of their state, and eventually settled in Ham¬ ilton county, near Westfield. Moses Hoskins was a son of John Hoskins and wife, while Phoebe Mendenhall was the daughter of Moses Mendenhall. The Hoskins family are of English descent with a strain of Welsh blood flowing in their veins. They have traced their history back to the Revolu¬ tionary times and have found that their family was loyal to the king during the Revolution. The family history of the Mendenhalls has been much obscured by the lapse of years, and it is practically impossible to get defi¬ nite data back more than three generations.

John B. Hoskins was one of the six children born to his parents, and remained at home until the death of his parents. He was given a good common school education, and being a man of more than ordinary ability he taught in the public schools for four years in his young manhood. He then married and purchased the farm where he now lives, which, when he purchased it, was not cleared or improved in any way and had no buildings cn it; but he began with characteristic determination to clear the land and make a home for himself. In the course of time he had his land cleared, fenced, drained and excellent buildings erected, so that the farm today is not only one of the most attractive farms in the township but one of the most productive as well. On this farm of one hundred and twenty acres he carries on general farming, but of recent years has paid particular at¬ tention to the dairy business. He also has found the raising of Poland China hogs and pure bred white Plymouth Rock chickens very remunera¬ tive.

Mr. Hoskins was married August 28, 1889, to Cicely Lancaster, the daughter of Robert and Cicely (Haworth) Lancaster, who was born two miles east of Carmel on July 16, 1867. Her father was from North Caro¬ lina, and both parents of English descent. Robert Lancaster was born in 1816 and- received but a very meager education, having attended school only three months and one week altogether and was between four and five years getting even that much education. In 1838 he came to Indiana and stopped in Wayne county where he remained for four years. In 1843' he came to Hamilton county and bought forty acres of land, paying three hun¬ dred and twelve dollars and fifty cents for the tract. He made the trip from Wayne county to this county on horseback and gave his horse as first pay¬ ment for the land, valuing it at seventy-five dollars. He built a cabin eighteen by twenty feet, with puncheon floor, clapboard roof and stick and clay chimney. He and his wife were both industrious and hardworking people and gradually accumulated a farm of about four hundred acres. Here he reared a family of thirteen children, having been married three times. At the time of his death he had one hundred and forty descendants and had known seven generations of his family, from his grandfather to his great-great-grandchild. Cicely, the wife of Mr. Hoskins, who lived at home until her marriage, was graduated from the academy at Westfield and later attended college one year at Earlham.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins have two very interesting sons who are at the threshold of a very brilliant career, Halford L., born March 25, 1891, was graduated from the Carmel high school and then from Earlham college, and is now teaching history in Weston, West Virginia; J. Hobart, the other son, born January 17, 1896, also was graduated from the Carmel high school and is now teaching in Fessenden, North Dakota. He intends to take a college course, as did his brother. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins are justly proud of their two sons whom they have given every educational advantage and who have responded nobly to the opportunities given them by their parents.

Politically, Mr. Hoskins is a Republican, and has always been interested in the civic life of his community. For several1 years he was superintendent of the roads of his township, and he also has served as county drainage commissioner. The family are earnest members of the Gray Friends' church, and take an active interest in church and Sunday school work. Mr. Hos¬ kins has been an elder in his church for several years. The history of Mr. Hoskins exhibits a career of unswerving integrity and wholesome social rela¬ tions, and being a man of clear character and impulses it is not surprising that he has endeared himself to the community where he has spent so many of his years.

Marion Blanton

One of the native sons of Hamilton county who has never been seized with the wanderlust is Marion Blanton, whose life of more than half a century has been spent within the limits of this county. Born and reared on the farm he has devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits, and has met with a degree of success which is commensurate with his well directed efforts. Although he has met with many obstacles at various times, vet he has never been discouraged, always pressing steadily forward, with the re¬ sult that he is today classed among the substantial farmers of Jackson town¬ ship. He always has taken a keen delight in farming and has kept in close touch with the latest ideas in agriculture, so that his farm always has yielded excellent results. He has not only been instrumental in securing a com¬ fortable competence for himself, but at the same time has taken such a part in the affairs of his community as to stamp him as a man of public spirit.

Marion Blanton, the proprietor of the "Maple Grove" farm, in Jackson township, was born in 1861, about one and one-half miles north of Horton, this county. His father, Nathan Blanton, was born in Tennessee, and came to this county when a young man and settled on four hundred and twenty acres of land north of Horton. He was a prominent and influential citizen of his community, and lived to the advanced age of seventy-two years. Nathan Blanton and wife were the parents of seven children: John, who died in 1892; Mrs. Rebecca Haskett, whose husband is deceased; Mrs. Jane Johnson, who is also a widow; Mrs. Emmeline Fodrea, Hiram, Samuel and Marion.

Marion Blanton received a good common-school education in the schools of his immediate neighborhood, and according to the custom of farmer boys of his day as well as those of the present time spent all of his summer vaca¬ tions on the farm. In this way he acquired the rudiments of agriculture by the time he had completed his common-school education and was compe¬ tent to take charge of a farm. He married at the age of twenty-five and immediately engaged in farming for himself in his home township, and has been successfully following agricultural pursuits down to the present time. His farm, which comprises eighty acres, is the equal of any in his lo¬ cality, both for productivity and the state of its improvements. He has always given his personal attention to every department of his farm work and allowed nothing to fail through neglect. He has always given intelli¬ gent directions to the scientific rotation of crops and all other features of successful farming. The great secret of Mr. Blanton's success is the fact that early in life he realized that labor is the only talisman of success.

Mr. Blanton was married to Anna Moore in 1886, and to this union were born four children: Ethel, deceased; Mrs. Opal David, Mrs. Haley Munson and Lowell. The mother of these children died in 1900, and in 1901 Mr. Blanton was again married to Katie McGrath, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Hamilton county in 1869, where she has lived continuously since.

Politically, Mr. Blanton is a stanch Democrat, but has never felt any inclination to take an active part in politics. He is a loyal member of the Friends' church, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episco¬ pal church. In every avenue of life's activities Mr. Blanton has performed his partto the best of his ability, believing that anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. He has a large number of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the county, and wherever he goes he is always given a hearty welcome.

Jacob Kixzer

There are not many men living in Hamilton county today who have lived here more than seventy-five years, but the interesting history of Jacob Kinzer, whose biography is here presented, began in this county more than seventy-seven years ago. The family history of the Kinzers has been traced back to the eighteenth century, at which time the family was living in Pennsylvania. The first member of the family concerning whom definite information has been obtained is John Kinzer, who was born, reared to man¬ hood and married in Pennsylvania. He married Mary Deerdoff, and after his marriage moved to Ohio and located in Highland county where he fol¬ lowed the occupation of farming. John Kinzer and his wife reared a family of seven children, Jacob, David, Daniel, John, the father of Jacob, with whom this narrative subsequently deals; Margaret, who married David Ockerman; Sarah, the wife of John Bailey, and Catherine, the wife of Daniel Davis. John and Mary Kinzer were devout members of the Dunkard church.

John Kinzer, the father of Jacob, was born in Ohio in 1804 and reared to manhood in Highland county, that state. In 1828 he came to Indiana and entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of government land one mile east of Carmel, working out in the immediate neighborhood for money with which to pay for this land. About 1830 he married Ruth Wilkinson, the daughter of William and Marv (Moffitt) Wilkinson. She was a native of Randolph county. North Carolina, while her parents were natives of Ire¬ land and England, respectively, coming to this country when children and paying for their passage on the ship by work after they reached this country. William Wilkinson first came to Indiana in 1822 and entered land, and then went back to North Carolina for his family. He started back to Indiana with his family, but was stricken with illness on the way and died while they were crossing the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia. John Kinzer cleared and improved his farm and added to it from time to time until he owned at least three hundred and forty acres. John Kinzer and wife reared a family of seven children : William, Mary, the wife of Svlvanus

Carey; David, Jacob, Levi, Sarah, the wife of Lewis Metzker, and Ira J., who died in 1892. John Kinzer died in 1850 and his wife passed away ten years later. Of all this family the only survivors are Jacob and Levi who live on adjoining farms.

Jacob Kinzer lived at home until his marriage, receiving the best educa¬ tion which the district schools of his day afforded. His father died when he was about fourteen years of age and he and his brothers remained with their mother and attended the home farm. Mr. Kinzer was not married until he was thirty-nine years of age, and then he moved into a small house on his present farm, the framework of which was hewed from the nearby timber. Here he lived until about 1885, when he built his present attractive home in which he is living today. Upon the settlement of his father's estate he received eighty acres and sufficient money to enable him to purchase another eighty acres. The land was for the most part in its primeval condi¬ tion when he located upon it, and it required much hard labor to bring it to its present state of high cultivation.

Mr. Kinzer was married October 15, 1876, to Hannah Louisa Ballard, daughter of Harvey and Luzena Ballard, born in Guilford county, North Carolina, June 29, 1851. Her parents came to Indiana when she was a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Kinzer are the parents of five children, four of whom are living. Irvin L., Edward Everett; Alma Pearl and Curtis J. Wiley Roscoe, the first child, died in infancy.* Irvin L. married Clova Patten and lives in Noblesville. They have four children, Ola, Juanita, Densel and Wil¬ lard. Edward Everett married May Randall and has two children: Archie and Vera. Edward and his family are residing with his parents; Alma Pearl married Walter Thompson and lives two miles west of Cicero, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have five children: Edna, Louana, Leon¬ ard, Howard and Myron; Curtis J. married Myra Smith, who died soon after their marriage, and he lives at present in Oklahoma.

Mr. Kinzer was a Republican until the organization of the Progressive party in the summer of 1912, at which time he affiliated with the new party. Though he always has taken an active interest in the great issues of the day, he never has been an aspirant for any political office. He and his wife are members of the Friends church and active workers in behalf of all its enterprises and benevolent projects. Mr. Kinzer has been a strictly temperate man all of his life, never having used tobacco or intoxicants in any form. His whole life has been singularly free from any fault, and no man in the county bears a more irreproachable reputation than he. Several.

years ago he retired from active farming and is now living on his farm northeast of Carmel, surrounded by all the conveniences of modem life. Upon retiring from active farming he divided two hundred and eighty acres of land among his children, and now has only forty acres and the old home¬ stead. His life has been well and worthily spent, and no man in Hamilton county is more deserving of a place in a biographical volume of this charac¬ ter.

John L. Good

From faraway Pennsylvania there have come several excellent citizens of Hamilton county, and among these John L. Good occupies a prominent position. A man of earnest and sincere life, whose enterprise and depth of character have gained him a prominent place in his community, he has lived for more than half a century in Jackson township, this county. For many years a leading farmer and stock raiser, he is now living in honorable re¬ tirement after a strenuous life of activity in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He has ever been a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, and his influence has always been exerted for the advancement of his fellow citizens. With few opportunities except such as his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made a success in life, and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided for so many years has been benefited by his iife and works therein.

John L. Good, the son of Peter K. and Mary Ann (Zigler) Good, was born February 15, 1850, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. Peter Good was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and as a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he carried on in conjunction with farming. About 1845 he came to Indiana on a prospecting trip and decided to invest in land in Hamilton county. Upon his return to his native state he married Mary Ann Zigler, who was also a native of Lancaster county, and lived in his native state until i860, when he came to Hamilton county and purchased eighty acres of land, and lived the life of a simple, unostentatious farmer until his death, which occurred in September, 1901. He was a successful agriculturist and prominent citizen of his township, and at his death left a fine farm of eighty acres which is now owned by his son, John L. To Peter K. Good and wife were born four children: Albert, deceased; John L., (40)

John L. Good was ten years of age when his parents came to Hamil¬ ton county, Indiana, from Pennsylvania, and consequently received the rudi¬ ments of his education in the schools of his native state. After coming to this county he attended school for a short time and then assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, at the age of twenty-three, at which time he rented a sixty-acre farm a short distance west of Cicero, where he lived for four years. He then moved onto his father's farm, and has continued to reside on this place ever since. As a farmer his career is not essentially different from that of hundreds of other successful farmers in this section of the state. He has successfully combined the raising of crops and live stock, and by keeping carefully abreast of the times has been able to acquire a comfortable competence for his declining years.

Mr. Good was married October 19, 1873, to Amanda E. Sourwine, who was born and reared in Hamilton county, and to this union there has been bom one daughter, Cora M., who is the wife of J. H. Evans. Mr. Evans was born in Henry county, this state, in 1878, his father having been a prominent merchant at Spiceland, in that county, for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are now living on the farm with, her father, her mother having died May 4, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of two children: Edgar G. and Edna A., twins, born on Christmas day, 1907.

Mr. Good has never been a partisan in politics, and has always cast his vote for the best man irrespective of their political affiliations. Public office has never had any attractions for him, and although deeply interested in good government and all that it implies, he has never been active in political matters. He is a member of the English Lutheran church, and fraternally is a Mason, having joined Deming Lodge No. 130, Free and Accepted Masons, in 1873. He also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of Lodge No. 175 at Cicero. Mr. Good's career in this county has been one of honor, and no higher tribute can be passed upon him than a statement of the simple truth that his name has never been coupled with anything disreputable, and that there has never been the shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unswerving honesty. He has been a consistent man in all that he has even undertaken, and his career in all the relations of life has been above pretense. His actions are the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once convinced he is right no suggestion of policy or personal profit can swerve him from the course on which he has decided.

For1S L. Sanders

The life history of the late Foris L. Sanders, one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Hamilton county for more than a genera¬ tion, shows what industry, good habits and strong citizenship will accom¬ plish in the battle for success in life. His record was one replete with duty well and conscientiously performed in every relation of life. Bom in the pioneer period of this county, he lived through that wondrous era of trans¬ formation which has made Hamilton county what it is today. He was al¬ ways an advocate of wholesome living and cleanliness in politics as well, and always stood for the highest and best interests of the community in which so many of his active years were spent. He was a man who was devoted to his family, and although he never had any children of his own he showed his kind character by rearing four adopted children. He was always interested in worthy causes, and lived such a blameless life that when he passed away he was sincerely mourned not only by his immediate family but by every one who knew him.

Floris L. Sanders, one of the best beloved citizens of Hamilton county during his life time, was born December 11, 1836, in Hendricks county, Indiana, and died at his home in Carmel, Indiana, on November 6, 1913. He was the son of Joseph and Clarrissa (McVay) Sanders. Both of his parents weire natives of Ohio. Joseph Sanders was the son of James and Phoebe (Beeson) Sanders, both of whom were natives in Virginia. James Sanders was reared to manhood in Virginia, and after his marriage, in that state, he moved to North Carolina where he conducted farming pur¬ suit for a number of years. Early in life he followed the profession of a school teacher. He was a noted hunter, and in the same fall in which his death occurred he killed fifty deer. James Sanders, with his family, came to Fayette county, Ohio, about the year 1800 and settled in the woods among the Indians, where he remained until his death, and in that state Joseph, the father of Floris L. Sanders, was born.

Joseph Sanders grew to manhood in Ohio, and when twenty-two years of age was married to Clarrissa McVay ? the daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Rude) McVay. The McVays were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish parentage. About 1833 Joseph Sanders, accompanied by his family, came to Hendricks county, Indiana, and entered a tract of eighty acres of land from the government. He also purchased the farm, which was partly im¬ proved, adjoining the eighty acres he received from the government. Four years later he sold his farm in Hendricks county and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Hamilton county, later adding another one hundred and sixty acres. He lived on his farm of three hundred and twenty acres until 1859, when he sold it and bought land in Marion county, where he lived until his death, in 1865. His wife passed away about a year previous to his death. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and reared their children in the tenets of this faith. Joseph and Clarissa Sanders were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now desceased but Sarah and Joseph. The children are as follows : Herbert B., Isaac, Albert, Foris L., with whom this narrative deals; Martha A., John W., Lydia E., Benja¬ min F., Clara J. and Joseph.

Foris L. Sanders received the meager common school education which was afforded by the subscription schools of his time. In the little log school house which he attended he received very limited instructions in arithmetic, reading, writing and grammar. He assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and then rented land of his father for six years, after which he married. He then bought one hundred and five acres of land in the southern part of Hamilton county, and later his wife's father gave him fifty-three and one-third acres of land adjoining it. On this farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres they lived for the next twenty-five years. He then moved in with the father of Mrs. Sanders in order to care for him in his old age. They remained with him until his death, and in 1890 purchased their beautiful home in Carmel, where Mr. Senders lived until his death and where Mrs. Sanders is still residing. , v 1 ' -

Floris L. Sanders was married June 9, 1864, to Mary M. Wilkinson. She is the daughter of David andAiaryiM. (Eller) Wilkinson and was born near Carmel, in this county. May 27, 1838. Her parents were natives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively, the father being the son of William and Mary (Moffitt) Wilkinson, natives of England. William and Mary Wilkinson came to the United States from England shortly after their mar¬ riage and settled in North Carolina, later moving to Indiana where they en¬ tered government land.

William Wilkinson went back to get his family after entering his land, and while there he died of typhoid fever. His wife then took the rest of her family and started towards the home which her husband had prepared for her. On the way here one of her sons died. David Wilkinson and wife were the parents of four children: John W1, David E., Charles I. and Marv M., the wife of Mr. Sanders.

the kindness of their hearts they reared four adopted children. Two of these children were Dora and Lillian, the daughters of John Sanders a brother of Foris. Dora married George Clark and lives in Oklahoma. She has two children : Albert and Grace. Lillian married Austin Bond and lives in Carmel. The other two children whom Mr. and Mrs. Sanders reared were Reta M. Wilkinson, a great-niece of Mrs. Sanders and Rosa Day, the daughter of Noah Day, who was no relative to the family at all. Reta M. Wilkinson married Clifford Carey and lives in Carmel. Rosa Day married John F. Randall and lives near Gray, this county. They have ten children: May, Orva, Odie, Edward, Frieda, Edith, Curtis, Eva, Chester and Earn¬ est. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were life long members of the Methodist Epis¬ copal church, in the affairs of which Mr. Sanders always took a great deal of interest. He was always generous to the faults of his neighbors and liberal in the support of every movement which would better his fellow citi¬ zens. He lived a long and useful life and was a man of high integrity whom no consideration could swerve from the right. Mr. Sanders was genuinely sympathetic and always courteous, and every one admired his open hearted¬ ness and honesty.

The ancestral history of the Moffitt family has been traced back to the Emerald Isle, the first member of the family coming to this country being Charles Moffitt. He came to this country before the Revolutionary War and located in North Carolina where he married and reared a family. Silas Moffitt, the father of Jonathan W., with whom this narrative subsequently deals, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, in 1794, and was reared upon his father's farm where he acquired a fair knowledge of agri¬ cultural pursuits. In his native state he was married to Hannah Wilkinson, who was born in North Carolina in 1799, the daughter of William and Mary ( Moffitt) W ilkinson.

Silas Moffitt came to Hamilton county from North Carolina in 1822. He entered five tracts of land of eighty acres each and built a cabin on a tract belonging to his father-in-law, and then returned to North Carolina for his wife and family of two children. A long overland trip from North Carolina to Hamilton county, Indiana, was made in 1823, the family coming with a four-horse team with all of their possessions in one wagon. The family settled in the little log cabin which Mr. Moffitt had built the previous year and here they lived for three years, and then Silas Moffitt erected a brick house out of bricks which he himself made, the house being the second house built of bricks in the township. He was a man of unusual energy and ability, and at the time of his death, in 1873, was the owner of several hundred acres of land in this county. In his early days he served as county commissioner and was for two terms treasurer of the board of trustees of his township at a time when there were three trustees and a treasurer and a Clerk. Silas Moffitt and wife were the parents of nine children: Charles, Mary, who was the wife of Joseph White; Rhoda, Hannah, William, Mar¬ garet, who married Isaac Burrows, and after his death Cyrus Hunt; Taca, who married Allen Meyers; Silas H., and Jonathan W., whose life history is here recorded.

J6nathan W. Moffitt, the youngest of the family, was born May 8, 1841, in Delaware township, in this county. He received only a meager education, as the schools of his days were not equipped for giving very much instruction. In fact the education of that day was confined practically to the "three R.'s" Upon his marriage, in 1863, Jonathan W. Moffitt rented a farm from his father, and after farming it for a short time he bought the farm from his father. He lived upon this farm for twelve years and then moved to his present home one-half mile south of Carmel. Mr. Moffitt has always carried on a general system of farming, and raised as much stock as he could feed from his own land.

Mr. Moffitt was married in 1862 to Mary Roberts, the daughter of Henry Roberts and wife, born January 10, 184& in Wayne county, In¬ diana. Her parents were natives of Wayne county, Indiana, and were of English descent. Mrs. Moffitt was one of seven children born to her par¬ ents and lived at home until she was married. Her parents moved to Hamil¬ ton county about 1852.

Jonathan W. Moffitt and wife were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living except one. The children in the order of their birth are: Rhoda, Frank, Olive, Emma, Nellie, deceased; Oscar and Carrie. Rhon¬ da is the wife of Arthur P. Stanley and lives one and one-half miles south of Carmel, and has one child, Wilmer. Frank married Laura J. Cline and lives two miles southeast of Carmel. He has two children. Bernel and Harold. Olive, the wife of Charles N. Brown, lives in the southeastern part of this county, and has three children : Marv, Lois and Ralph. Emma married Otis S. Roberts and lives in the southern part of Carmel. They have three children : Russell, Chester and Frank. Oscar married Odessa Coffin and lives three and one-half miles northwest of Carmel. He has three children: John, Maurice and George. Carrie, the wife of William Roader, lives in Indianapolis, where her husband is on the police force. They have three children: Frederick, Louise and Mary. Nellie, the fifth child of the family, died when she was seven years of age.

Mr. Moffitt has been a life long Republican, and has always been actively interested in the affairs of his party. He served as township trustee for two terms, holding the office from April, 1888, to August, 1895. During his term of office he built three school houses and took an active interest in everything pertaining to the educational welfare of his township. Frater¬ nally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Franks Moffitt, one of the sons of Mr. Moffitt, has one of the largest, if not the largest, orchard in Hamilton county, and devotes his entire time to its care j and management. He is recognized as an expert orchardist, and his advice j i on the raising of fruit is eagerly sought by those interested in the culture of;

Joseph L. Jennings

A life in this county of more than seventy years gives Joseph L. Jenn¬ ings the right to be classed among the pioneers of the county, especial signi¬ ficance being attached to his history because of the fact that he served with distinction in the Civil War. He has been a valued factor in the develop¬ ment of Hamilton county and prominently identified with the varied interests of his community. His well directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judg¬ ment have demonstrated what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition. Like every man he has had obstacles to meet and discourage¬ ments to overcome, but with laudable determination he has forged his way ahead until he now stands in the declining years of his life surrounded by every comfort and convenience of life.

Joseph L. Jennings, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Haskett) Jenn¬ ings, was born January 10, 1844, in the county whose history is contained within this volume. Thomas Jennings was bom in North Carolina in 1805, and his wife was born in the same state five years later. They were reared to maturity and married in the state of their nativity and then came to Indiana and settled in Henry county, shortly afterwards coming to Hamil¬ ton county, where they lived the remainder of their days, Thomas Jennings dying in 1849. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jenn- ings there are three now living: Joseph L., Mrs. Martha Ann Conklin, and James P. The four deceased children are: Margaret, who died in infancy: John and Thomas, twins; Mary Jane and William H., the latter of whom died in February, 1913.

Joseph L. Jennings was only five years of age when his father died, and since the family was not able to keep all of the children together, some of them, among whom was Joseph, were, bound out to other families. In this way Joseph L. Jennings missed the tender ministrations of his parents' care. He received very little education and remained with the family to which he was first bound out until he enlisted for service in the Union army in 1864. He was mustered in Company B, One Hundred Thirty-sixth Regi¬ ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry at Deming, Jackson township, this county, and saw six months' service in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. After his discharge from the service he returned to Hamilton county and hired out to work by the month to one of the farmers in his old neighborhood. In the fall of the same year he married, and at once moved to the farm on which he has since resided. He has now been farming for practically fifty years on this farm, and in that time has kept apace with modern agricultural methods. As new machinery has been brought into use he has added it to his equip¬ ment, so that his farm is as well stocked with up-to-date farming machinery as any in the county.

Mr. Jennings was married August 17, 1865, to Elizabeth Jane Sturdevant, who was a native of this county and a daughter of Benjamin Sturdevant, who was born in Lunenberg county, Virginia, March 6, 1815, and moved with his parents to Surrey county, North Carolina, at the age of seven. Mr. Sturdevant married a young woman from Kentucky, his wife having been born in that state on October 18, 1815, and he and his wife later moved to Hamilton county, where they reared a family of four children: John D., deceased; Henry A., Nancy A., deceased, and Elizabeth Jane, the wife of Mr. Jennings. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are the parents of fourteen children : Delphia, the wife of J. M. Nutt: Walter B., deceased; Dora E., the wife of E. E. Scherer; Marvin E., Rhoda Z., deceased; Clarkson A., Martha E., the wife of M. B. Metsker; Lettie L., who is the wife of O. G. Gardner; Solvestea T., deceased; Ary B., deceased; Irvin D., deceased; Bertie E., de¬ ceased; Gertrude B., the wife of O. Williams and Hugh C., at home.

Mr. Jennings was a strong supporter of the Republican party until 1896, when becoming convinced of the evils of the liquor traffic he joined the Prohibitionist party and has been a valiant champion of its principles ever since. He and his family are all loyal members of the Friends church.

and liberal contributors to its support. Mr. Jennings has always taken a just pride in the welfare of his community, and has been zealous in his efforts to support all worthy movements for the moral, educational or social ad¬ vancement of his community. He is a man whose genial good nature and sterling qualities of character have won for him many friends, and as a result of a clean and wholesome life every mile post of his career has found him further advanced in the estimation of his fellows citizens.

Elihu Cammack

The occupation of farming, to which the major part of the business life of Elihu Cammack, one of the well known and popular citizens of Hamilton county, has been devoted, is the oldest pursuit for the livelihood of mankind and the one on which he will ever be the most dependent. The Cammack family has long been inseparably connected with the general growth of Hamil¬ ton county, of which Mr. Cammack is a native and where, in fact, he has spent all of his life. While primarily attending to his own varied interests, his life has been largely devoted to his fellow men, he having been untiring in his efforts to inspire a proper respect for law and order and ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.

Elihu Cammack, proprietor of the "West Lawn Farm," in Jackson town¬ ship, Hamilton county, Indiana, was born December 29, 1868, on the farm where he has since lived. His father, Elijah Cammack, was born January 27, 1826, in Randolph county, Indiana, and died November 9, 1892, in Hamilton county. His mother, Mary (Jay) Cammack, was born on Decem¬ ber 22, 1829, in Wayne county, Indiana, and died in January, 1905, in this county. Elijah Cammack and Mary Jay were married November 18, 1846, and to this union were born fourteen children: Lavton, born August 19, 1847, died July 28, 1879; Martha Jane, born November 29, 1848, died July 19, 1851; David M., born November 2, 1850, died September s, 1851; Jennie, born June 9, 1852, died July 18, 1884; Zeno, born August 7, 1854, died August 2, 1893; Zula A., born November 20, 1856, died February 1, 1859; Elmira, born January 28, 1859, died August 24, i860; Lindley M., born March 17, 1861, now living in Iowa; Emily, born April 20, 1863, is the wife of W. S. Haworth, a farmer of Jackson township; Edgar, born July 23, 1865, died June 9, 1893; Elihu, with whom this narrative deals;

Layton Cammack, the oldest child of the family, was the superintendent of the Plainfield, Indiana, schools for several years, and later was employed as a telegraph operator, as was his brother, Bruce. Jennie Cammack was a school teacher of this county at the time of her death in 1884; Lona, the youngest daughter of the family, was married August 4, 1895, t0 Thomas W. McConnell, who was born in this county April 27, 1872, the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. McConnell. At the time of his marriage Mr. McConnell purchased seventy-two acres of land where he now lives, in this township.

Elihu Cammack was married March 29, 1890, to Edna Hiatt, the daugh¬ ter of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Hiatt, of Jackson township. E. C. Hiatt came to Hamilton county in 1850 and purchased a farm in Jackson township from Mason Fisher. To Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Hiatt ware born ten children: George L., a farmer; Anna, the wife of J. J. Jackson; Mary, the wife of John France, deceased; Medora, deceased; Arthur C., who lives in In¬ dianapolis: Fred, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Rebecca, the wife of F. B. Kerchabel; Edna, Frank, a farmer and Pearl, the wife of J. Will¬ iams. Mr. and Mrs. Cammack are the parents of three children : Ruby, Lanchard H. and Mary G. Ruby is the wife of B. B. Newby.

Mr. Newby was born July 27, 1887, on the old Walnut Grove Nursery farm, and attended school at Deming, in Jackson township, this county. He then graduated from the Noblesville high school, after which he took a course at Indiana University, specializing in chemistry. After leaving the uni¬ versity he took a position with the Fajardo Sugar Company, of New York, and was sent by this company to Porto Rico to take charge of one of their sugar factories in that island. He was in the island altogether about four years, coming back, after going there, in order to be married, and then re¬ turning with his wife to the island. He was married August 6, 1911, to Ruby Cammack, and one of the children, Tomasito Lopez, was born in Porto Rico.' The other child, Wilford, was born on the farm where they are now living. Mr. Newby was compelled to resign his position on account of ill health, due to the climate of Porto Rico, and he and his family lived for a time on the farm in this county, but are now located in Chicago.

Elihu Cammack has the patent for his farm dated in 1835 and signed by President Andrew Jackson. He carries on general farming in connec¬ tion with the raising of such crops as are usually grown in this locality, and keeps as much stock on his farm as he can feed from the produce of his farm. His place is well improved in every respect, and in the tilling of the soil and turning of the crops and their gathering, Mr. Cammack pays due attention to the best modern ideas and theories relative to this science. His comfortable and attractive residence, large and commodious bams and other necessary outbuildings indicate him to be a man of good taste, while the general appear¬ ance of his farm is creditable to its owner.

The Republican party has claimed the support of Mr. Cammack since he reached his majority, but individual interests have precluded him from active participation in the deliberations of his party. Nevertheless, he has the welfare of his community at heart, and at all times can be counted upon to give his ardent support to every movement having for its object the wel¬ fare of those around him. All the members of the family are strong adher¬ ents of the Friends church and have always been active in church and Sunday school work. Mr. Cammack is a man of sterling qualities and his honesty and correct principles have won for him the commendation of his fellow citi¬ zens.

Thomas H. Newby

The word success is susceptible of many different interpretations. It can hardly be said that the man who has had a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune by his own individual efforts is a successful man, but the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will controlled by cor¬ rect principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow citizens, achieves success in the highest sense of the word. The life history of Thomas H. Newby presents many interesting incidents and it shows what can be accomplished by a man who sets out with a definite pur¬ pose in view.

Thomas H. Newby, the proprietor of the Old Walnut Grove Nursery in Jackson township, this county, was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 20, 1848. His parents were both natives of North Carolina, and after their marriage came to Indiana and settled in Henry county, where the father died July 8, 1853. His widow was left with seven children and the following year came to Hamilton county with her family and became the housekeeper for William Pickett, a farmer of this county. Five years later she became the wife of Mr. Pickett, and on the farm of his stepfather, in section 9, town¬ ship 19, range 4, Thomas H. Newbv was reared to manhood. The mother of Thomas H. Newby was born in North Carolina August 4, 1819, and died in this county, on the farm where her son is now living, October 26, 1893. Her second husband, William Pickett, died on the same farm March 29, 1888.

Thomas H. Newby was one of seven children born to his parents, the others being as follows: William S., deceased; Deborah, deceased; Whit¬ son, who gave his life for the Union, which he served during the Civil War as a member of Company F, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Champion Hill; Mrs. Mary A. Pickett, Isaac E., a farmer of Jackson township, this county; and Albert E., deceased. Mr. Newby was only four years of age when his father died, and he received the best of care and attention from his mother's second husband, William Pick¬ ett. He was educated in the home schools of his neighborhood and assisted his stepfather on the farm. After his marriage he began to farm his step¬ father's place and has continued to reside on this farm down to the present time. In addition to carrying on a general system of farming, Mr. Pickett cultivated a large line of nursery stock and found this a very profitable ven¬ ture. He kept a large line of trees, both fruit and ornamental, and vines of all kinds which are adapted to the soil of this section of the state.

Mr. Newby was married June 18, 1886, to Louisa Batey, the daughter of George A. and Katherine (Wallace) Batey, and to this union have been born four children: Blaine B., an engineer; Wylie C., a farmer living at home, who married Bonnie Southard and has one child, Helen; Fay T., the wife of T. V. Dunn, of Jackson township, and Frank E., at home. Blaine B. Newby was born July 27, 1887, on the old home place in Jackson town¬ ship, this county, and attended the home schools and the high school at Noblesville, where he was graduated in 1907. For three years he then attended the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, taking the course in chemistry. In 1910 he went to Porto Rico for the Fajardo Sugar Com¬ pany and was with this company for three years, at the end of which time he came home and farmed for a time, after which he moved to Chicago, where he is now located. On August 6, 1911, he was united in marriage with Miss Ruby L. Cammack, daughter of Elihu and Edna (Hiatt) Cammack, who also was born in Jackson township, and to them one child, Wilford C., has been born. They are members of the Friends church. Mrs. Newby was born in Jackson township, this county, August 24, 1863, and after receiving a good common school education in the schools of Jackson township, lived with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Newby. Mr: and Mrs. Batey are the parents of four children, Sarah C., deceased; Amanda, the wife of James Cotton, of Ellwood, Indiana, and William D., who lives in Clinton county, Indiana, besides Mrs. Newby.

to the many demands which his agricultural interests have placed upon him he has never felt that he had the time to participate actively in politics. All the members of his family are loyal members of the Friends church and take an active part in church and Sunday school work. Fraternally, Mr. Newby is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to Cherokee Lodge No. 96, in Noblesville. His sons, Wiley and Frank, are both members of the Order of Red Men, belonging to Lodge No. 192, at Cicero. Though never animated with great ambition for public honors, Mr. Newby has always given his aid in furthering the general interests of his community and gives his hearty support to all movements for the benefit of his fellow citizens.

The business world is demanding men of higher type in this day and age and so keen is competition that it is absolutely necessary that men be¬ come students of their chosen profession if they wish to attain to the higher success. There are many common characteristics which the successful busi¬ ness man must have, but there is one which is absolutely necessary. It is an old saying that quotes "Honesty is the best policy," but modern business savs that honesty is the only policy. The business of today demands confi¬ dence, and where that is lacking business ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives and good common sense and moral worth. It is these men who are the leaders in their respective communities. George Craycraft, whose history is here presented, descended from one of the most prominent families of Noblesville. No more successful business man ever lived within the limits of this county than his father, the late Daniel ' Craycraft. It is but natural that he should inherit something of the business ability of his father, but besides this he has within himself qualities which would place him in the front ranks in the business world irrespective of in¬ heritance.

George Craycraft, the son of Daniel and Marv (Ross) Craycraft, was born in Noblesville, May T5, 1881. He attended the public schools in his home city and was graduated from the high school in 1901. During his vacation period, while he was still attending school, he assisted his father in the store. Thus, he early became grounded in the rudiments of business. After graduating from the high school he attended the State University at

Bloomington, Indiana, for one year and then took a business course in the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He attended busi¬ ness college because he knew that he would follow a business career, and he wished to make himself as competent to manage his father's business as a modern education could make him. Immediately upon graduating from the business college at Poughkeepsie he was called on to assume the entire management of his father's interest, his father dying the same year. His success has been phenomenal from the beginning. The store known as the Craycraft Dry Goods Company, carries a full line of dry goods and ladies' furnishings of all kinds, carpets, rugs and millinery, and does an immense business in Noblesville and the surrounding community. George Craycraft was fortunate in being thoroughly familiar with the details of his father's business^ so that at his father's .death, although he was only twenty-one years of age, he was able to step in and take charge of the business without any interruption at all in the management. He has amply demonstrated his excellent business ability and although still a young man, he has already placed himself in the front ranks with the business men of his county. He is a director in the American National Bank at Noblesville, and has other interests in the city as well.

George Craycraft was married March 12, 1912, to Lucille Oursler, daughter of Frank and. Gertrude (Davidson) Oursler, of Noblesville. His wife's father was a prominent business man of Noblesville and a representa¬ tive of an early pioneer family. Mr. Craycraft has one son, George, Jr., born October 8, 1914. He and his- wife are members of the Christian church and are generous contributors to the support of the same.

Fraternally, Mr. Craycraft is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and a member of the Phi Kappa Psi, Greek-letter fraternity, having always maintained an active interest in the fraternity of his college days. While he has always been identified with the Republican party in politics, he has never taken an active part in political afifairs, although always interested in everything pertaining to good govern¬ ment. Honorable and upright in all of his dealings, Mr. Craycraft has made his obligations to the public paramount to every other consideration, and this course has met with the unqualified approval of his fellow citizens. His life has not only been successful as the world estimates success, but in those higher and nobler qualities of head and heart which bespeak the gentleman, he is not lacking. His good name has never been tarnished nor the rectitude of his intentions been questioned.

Berlin Boughner

It is gratifying to note the number of young men who are turning their attention to farming. Conditions at the present time are such that farming has lost many of its former disagreeable features and the farmer can now enjoy many of the pleasures and conveniences of city life. One of the youngest and most progressive farmers of this county is Berlin Boughner, who is forging his way to the front in a manner that stamps him as one of the coming fanners of his county. His father is one of the old residents of Hamilton county, a man who has figured largely in the growth and develop¬ ment of White River township, and it is altogether fitting that his son should now take his place in the life of the community where the father lived for so many years.

Berlin Boughner, son of Frank and Elizabeth (Agel) Boughner, was born May 1, 1891, in the township where he has always lived. Frank Boughner was born in Wayne county, Indiana, November 4, 1857, and was reared to manhood in that county. In 1879 he was married to Elizabeth Agel, a native of the same county, and ten years later they came to Hamilton county and settled in Jackson township. Three or four years later they moved to White River township, and for the next twenty years Frank Boughner took his place as one of the progressive farmers of that town¬ ship. He retired to Cicero in September, 1912, and left his farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres in charge of his son. To Frank Boughner and wife were bom two children, Mahlon and Berlin.

Berlin Boughner received all of his education in the schools of this county and was graduated from the Noblesville high school. After leaving the high school he returned to the farm and, being a young man of great energy and ambition, he soon convinced his father that he was able to manage the farm. Accordingly, upon his marriage, in 1912, his father moved to Cicero and since that time he has been in charge of the farm. He understands every phase of agricultural life and is a student of the latest methods in farming.

Berlin Boughner was married September 1, 1912, to Sophia Ellis, who was born in Paulding, Ohio. Her father was engaged in the oil business in Ohio, but later moved to Indiana.

Politically, Mr. Boughner is not definitely affiliated with any particular party, but in the few elections in which he has voted, he has cast his ballot for the men whom he thought would best further the interests of their fellow citizens. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in both lodge's at Cicero. He and his wife are at the very beginning of a long and useful career, and with their pleasant and attractive home they have everything for which they should be thankful. They are young people of fine qualities of heart and mind and the kind of people to make a good community in which to live.

Among the men of the past generation who were highly respected citizens in this county there is no one more worthy of honorable mention than the late Alva Wright Knotts. He was a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a fine type of a reliable self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors and always ready to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of all laudable enterprises. He was a man of strong principles and always stood for what he thought was right, although when he was convinced that he was in the wrong he was quick to acknowledge his mistake. Later in life he began the study of medi¬ cine and had been practicing it for about two years when he passed away. He was ^ man who was ever respected, meriting fully the high esteem in which he was held while living and whose memory is warmly cherished in the community in which he played so valuable a part.

Alva Wright Knotts, the son of Wilson and Esther Ann (Penwell) Knotts, was born in Rush county, Indiana, November 15, 1862, and died in Flackville, Marion county, Indiana, in 1903. His parents were both natives of Rush county. His father was the son of Richard and Anna Laura (Hat¬ field) Knotts. His mother was the daughter of John and Esther (Hyde) Penwell. Richard Knotts was born in 1798 and was the son of Nathaniel and Lydia (White) Knotts. The Penwell family were natives of New Jersey, and John Penwell and family came from New Jersey to Indiana at an early period in the state's settlement.

Alva W. Knotts was seven years of age when his parents moved from Rush county to Hamilton county, where his father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clay township. He was one of six children and lived the life of a simple farmer bov until his marriage. He attended the country school, and being a lad of keen intellect, easily stood at the head of his classes. After his marriage, in 1890, he moved to the farm now occupied by his wife and children, three-fourths of a mile south of Pleasant Grove, in Clay town¬ ship. Here he farmed for six years, when he moved to Indianapolis to take a medical course. He had long desired to practice medicine, but had never felt able to take the course on account of a lack of money. It is not often that a man has the courage to change his profession in life as late as did Mr. Knotts. He was thirty-four years of age when he moved to Indianapolis with his family, but he stayed throughout the four years' course and was graduated with the class of 1900. Immediately after graduation he went to Ogden, in Henry county, Indiana, where he practiced for two years. How¬ ever, desiring to be near his fine farm in this county, he moved to Flackville, in Marion county, Indiana, but died four weeks after making the change. He had been a successful farmer and was equally successful as a physician, al¬ though he was engaged in the practice only two years.

Mr. Knotts was married August 3, 1890, to Clara Power. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Elizabeth (McShane) Power. She was born on the farm north of where she is now living, part of which is incorporated in her present farm. Joseph Power was the son of Darius and Catherine Power and Nancy E. McShane was the daughter of James Gray and Martha J. (Silvey) McShane. The reader is referred elsewhere in this history to Will¬ iam Francis McShane for further details concerning the McShane family history. The McShanes have been influential people in the history of Hamil¬ ton county for more than eighty years, the ancestors of the family serving in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Knotts is eligible to membership in the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an honor which falls to but few people.

Clara Power, the wife of Mr. Knotts, was one of six children born to her parents. Her father was married first to Sarah Bussel and to this first union was born one daughter, Mary Florence. After his first wife's death, Joseph Power married Nancy Elizabeth McShane, and to this second union were born three children: Clara, John and James D. Subsequently Mr. Power died and then his widow married Louis O. Miller and to this second union of Mrs. Knotts' mother were born two children, Ruby and Reshia, who were twins. Clara Power attended the common schools near her home in childhood, but when about fourteen years of age went to Zionsville to school and later attended Union high school at Westfield, spending her vaca¬ tions meanwhile with her mother and grandparents, where she remained until her marriage, in 1890. After her husband's death, Mrs. Knotts moved to Jolliettsville, Hamilton county, where she lived for two years, then moving to (40 her farm, where she has since continued to reside. Mr. and Mrs. Knotts were the parents of four children: Lesta, who is still at home; Olive, who is the wife of George Hensel, and lives in Bartholomew county, Indiana; James Wilson Power, and Elizabeth Ann, deceased.

Mr. Knotts was a member of the Christian church until his marriage and then, since his wife was a member of the Methodist church, he united with the latter church. He was a loyal and faithful worker in the church and Sunday school and had on various occasions preached to his denomination. Mr. Knotts was one of nature's noblemen and the good deeds he did while on earth will never be forgotten by those whom he helped. The example he set to the young men with whom he came in contact will always be remembered by them. The memory of the lives of such men makes this world better and brighter. As the poet says, "Such lives do not go out. they go on.'\

Joseph W. Klotz

Indiana boasts of men who are leaders in many different lines of ac¬ tivity and in the person of Joseph W. Klotz, a veterinary surgeon of Noblesville, Indiana, Indiana has a man who ranks high at the head of his pro¬ fession in America. Some years ago he was instrumental in organizing the Veterinary College at Indianapolis. During its existence he has been a mem¬ ber of its faculty and a constant lecturer during the school year. Since 1908 he has been president-secretary of the American Veterinary Medical Asso¬ ciation, an honor which is indeed a tribute to his wide reputation in his chosen field. In 1912 he conducted the largest veterinary clinic ever con¬ ducted in the world and at that time received letters of commendation from high authorities from all parts of the world. The United States government has recognized his great ability and for the past four years he has been the government inspector for all the cattle and horses exported from this coun¬ try into Canada. Such, in brief, is the present standing of Mr. Klotz, a man of whom not only Hamilton county but the state of Indiana is justly proud.

Joseph W. Klotz, the son of George and Minnie (Greiser) Klotz, was born on a farm in White River township, Hamilton county, Indiana, April 9, 1868. George Klotz was born in Germany and came to this country when he was twenty-four years of age and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsyl¬ vania. He had learned the trade of a blacksmith in his native country and upon coming to America he continued to follow that occupation. Minnie

Greiser was born near Leipzig, Germany, and came to America with her parents when she was fourteen years of age. The Greiser family also settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and here George Klotz and Minnie Grei¬ ser were married and lived until 1852. In that year they made the long and arduous overland trip from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Pittsburg, and thence down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. Their objective point was Wayne county, Indiana, and they finally settled in a small village on the old National road, in the western part of Wayne county. This small village was settled by people from the Pennsylvania town of the same name and still bears the name of Germantown. Here George Klotz followed his trade as a blacksmith and his shop was a popular one for miles around. He shod the horses of the teamsters and stage drivers who followed the National road in a constant string in that day. Later the Klotz family moved to Hamilton county, where the father bought a tract of timber land near Ar¬ cadia. He cleared the land, built a rude log cabin home and became a pros¬ perous farmer. He was an influential citizen of his county and he and his good wife were mourned by a large circle of friends at the time of their death, in 1906, George Klotz dying on March 30 of that year, and his wife on July 10. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are still living: Louise, the wife of Daniel Snyder, a farmer of Hamilton county; Henry, a farmer of Jackson township, this county; George, also a farmer of Jackson township, and Joseph W., a brief sketch of whose history is here presented.

Joseph W. Klotz was reared upon his father's farm in this county and was given a good common school education. He also attended a German school in Arcadia for three years and upon reaching the age of twenty-one he became a student in the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada. This institution was recognized as one of the best in the country and its graduates were leaders in their profession wherever they settled for practice. Following his graduation, in 1891, Mr. Klotz practiced for a time in the immediate neighborhood of his home and in the fall of 1893 located in Noblesville, where he has been practicing ever since. It is safe to say that he is the most prominent veterinary surgeon in his state, while his standing among the men of his profession in the United States stamps him as one of the greatest men in his chosen field of endeavor in the country.

Seeing the need of a veterinary college in Indiana he helped to organize the Indiana Veterinary College of Indianapolis in the fall of 1894 and has always been actively interested in the work of the college. ' He has been its vice-president since its organization and has been a continuously active mem- ber of its faculty. For the past twenty years he has delivered lectures on surgery and obstetrics three days of each week during the college year. In addition, he has attended to his immense practice, which takes him into all parts of the state, as well as into surrounding states. He has had the satis¬ faction of seeing the Indiana Veterinary College take a high place among the veterinary colleges of the country, it now drawing a large body of stu¬ dents from almost every state in the Union.

Doctor Klotz has been a member of the Indiana State Veterinary As¬ sociation since its organization and has served as its president for two terms and was treasurer for ten years. He has been a member of the American Veterinary Association since 1898 and resident secretary since 1908. The clinic which he conducted in 1912 and which has been previously mentioned, gained for him an enviable reputation among the veterinary surgeons of the world and his appointment by the United States government as inspector of all cattle and horses exported into Canada shows that he is officially recog¬ nized as a leader in his profession.

Mr. Klotz was married in April, 1891, to Amanda E. Tout, born in 1870, the daughter of Amos and Rebecca Tout. To this union have been born two children, Agnes Marie, born July 10, 1892, and Joseph Lee, born in September, 1893, a student in the Indianapolis Veterinary College. Po¬ litically, Mr. Klotz has been a life-long Democrat and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party. With his usual enthusiasm and energy he has plunged into political affairs with his characteristic vim and his party has honored him bv making him county chairman and he has served as a delegate to county, district and state conventions on frequent occasions. However, he has never been an office seeker, feeling that his present profession demanded all of his time and attention. He stands for every measure which he feels will* improve the conditions in his town and county and is a public-spirited citizen in every sense of the word. Frater¬ nally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, and a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Noblesville. Adhering to the faith of his parents, he is a member of the Lutheran church. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Enough has been said to show the position which Mr. Klotz holds in the field of veterinary surgery, a position which places him in the front ranks of his profession. He is not only a representative citizen of his town and county, but a representative citizen of his state. He is a man of social tendencies, kind, obliging, straightforward and honorable in all the relations of life and is universally respected and esteemed.

Daniel Craycraft

It is a dictate of nature, no less than of enlightened social policy, to honor those whose lives have contributed in any way to the good of their community and their associates; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of their departed worth and virtue ; to unburden the fullness of the sur¬ charged heart in eulogium upon the deceased benefactors and to rehearse the noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after. This has been the commendable custom of all ages and all nations, hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen. In contemplating the many estimable qualities of the late Daniel Craycraft, integrity and industry appear as prom¬ inent characteristics - an integrity that no personal or other consideration could swerve, and an industry that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was accomplished he would throw off all care, retire to his home and devote himself to domestic and social enjoyments, for which he had the keenest zest and relish. His temper was calm and equable, and his manners were emphatically those of the gentleman, - plain, simple, dignified, - despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was al¬ most intuitive. Although his life was a busy one, his private affairs and his home making heavy demands upon his time, he never allowed these to in¬ terfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful performance of his church duties. Always calm and straightforward, never demonstrative, his life was a steady exemplification of the worth of Christian doctrine, the pur¬ ity and grandeur of Christian principles and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He had the greatest sympathy for his fellow men and was always ready to aid and encourage those who were struggling to aid themselves; yet in this, as in everything else, he was entirely unassuming. When he believed he was on the right path, nothing could swerve him from it; home life was a sacred trust and friendships were inviolable. He com¬ manded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his memory will long be revered by his many friends and acquaintances.

The late Daniel Craycraft, one of the influential business men of Ham¬ ilton county, during his life time, was born August 22, 1836, on a farm near Anderson, Indiana, and died in* Noblesville, November 19, 1902. His par¬ ents, Cedric and Elizabeth Craycraft, were honest and industrious farmers, but, like most of the people in the early history of the state, were not blessed with a great amount of this world's goods. He spent his youth on the farm, helping to clear the land and attending school in a little log school

H is independent career began when he was seventeen years of age, when, with no resources save his own strength and his resolute will, he started out to make an honorable place for himself in the world of affairs. He first went to Tipton, where he learned the trade of photographer. Being naturally of a keen turn of mind he soon mastered the business and had a shop of his own. In 1868 he came to Noblesville, where he resided until his death, and in the thirty-four years of his residence in this city became one of the wealthiest and most influential men of the city and the county. Upon first coming to Noblesville he engaged in the photographic business, but in this he did not have a chance to display his business ability as he wished. Accordingly, he embarked in the drug business and then branched out into other lines of activity as his resources increased. From the drug store he went into the grocery business and from that into the dry goods and notions business, and in each was successful. It was in the dry goods business that he made his largest success and before many years he was one of the most prosperous business men of his city. He rose to a high place in the commercial life of Noblesville and as new enterprises arose in the city he became identified with them, until at the time of his death he was identified with more than a dozen different ventures in this county. For many years he was president of the Noblesville Gas Company, and was one of the in¬ fluential stockholders of the First National Bank and of the Wainwright Trust Company, the Water and Light Company and the Light and Ice Com¬ pany, and in all of these he took an active part. He made his way in life by a course of sheer merit and industry from a small beginning to great success. Though he felt the disadvantage of a meager education, he made his way without the aid of influential friends or relatives. In the due course of time he acquired a comfortable fortune through his own unaided efforts. He was a man of absolute honesty, alvrays on the advance and he managed his business interests with a skill of practical knowledge in every branch of the business. He was universally regarded as one of Noblesville's most use¬ ful and enterprising men of affairs.

Mr. Craycraft was twice married. Two daughters were born to the first union, Maude and Jessie, both of whom are deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Craycraft was married to Mary E. Ross, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Ross, of Noblesville, and to this second union five children were born: Mabel, the wife of M. F. Newhouse, of Indianapolis; Edith, who is still residing with her mother; Fred, who died in infancy;

George, who remained with his father in the store and who is represented by his biography elsewhere in this volume; and Albert, who is connected with his brother, George, in the dry goods business in Noblesville.

Mr. Craycraft was a life-long Republican, but while he was always deeply interested in public affairs, never desired political preferment of any kind. He was a stanch member of the Presbyterian church, and was always a generous contributor to its support. He died November 19, 1902, while his widow is still living in Noblesville at the old family residence. The life of such a man as Daniel Craycraft is an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight when obstacles block their way, presenting, as it does, evidences of characteristics that always make for achievement - persistency, fortitude and lofty ambition. The many good deeds of Mr. Craycraft long will be remerrtbered throughout this locality and his career might well be held up as a model for the youth standing at the parting of the ways.

Leonard Wild

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for public exaltation and popularity is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late Leonard Wild, one of the successful business men and public-spirited citizens of Noblesville, Indiana, who departed this life on December 12, 1909, was well known throughout this community as a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but be¬ cause of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism, passed upon bv his associates in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. It is safe to say that no man has done more for the city of Noblesville than Leonard Wild did during his career of more than half a century in this city.

born November 2, 1834, to John and Katherina Wild a son. In accordance with the local custom, the fond parents took this son to the magnificent Catholic cathedral of Ulm, where he was christened with the name of Leon¬ ard. Little did his parents think as they carried him out of the beautiful cathedral on that Sunday morning that he would one day become one of the most successful men of his county in a faraway land across the sea. He received a common school education which was given by his native village, and early in life made up his mind that he wanted to come to America to seek his fortune. Accordingly, when he was nineteen years of age, he set sail for America on the vessel Helfatha, the voyage consuming thirty-seven days. He landed in New York City March 4, 1854, a stranger in a strange land. He had no knowledge at all of the English language and no capital to start with except a strong constitution and a willingness to work. He did his first work in this country in the western part of New York, near Niagara Falls, working on a farm for a period of eighteen months. He received ten dollars a month for his first labor in this country. On November 12, 1855, he arrived in Nobles ville, Indiana, and from that time until his death he was a prominent factor in the history of the town. For a time he served as a farm hand after coming to this state, working first for R. A. Couden and later for William Conner. He then worked in a warehouse for David Gib¬ son. Being naturally of a thrifty turn of mind he saved his money so that by 1858 he was enabled to rent the warehouse in which he had started in as an employe three years previous. For four years he bought and sold grain and then entered the milling business with Levi Sohl, in which he remained until 1867. In this year he bought the Conner farm of two hundred and twenty acres on which he worked as a farm hand. This he later laid out and sold as lots or for factory purposes. In 1880 he, with his son, Frank, started a dry goods store on the east side of the square and continued in that business until 1897, when he practically retired, declining to engage in any regular business except looking after the opera house and some private matters. For twenty-one years he was a director in the Citizens State Bank. When this bank was first organized as a state bank, in 1877, Leonard Wild was made a director and served five years. He was again elected in 1893 and served until death. The first directors of this bank were William Locke, Leonard Wild, W. E. Dunn, Frank Hawkins and George H. Bonebrake. Mr. Dunn is the only surviving member of that board.