History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 63

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 63

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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. Rho- 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 : Mary, 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

Digitized by Google

631

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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. Frank Moffitt, one of the sons of Mr. Moffitt, has one of the largest, if not the larg- est, orchard in Hamilton county, and devotes his entire time to its care and management. He is recognized as an expert orchardist, and his advice on the raising of fruit is eagerly sought by those interested in the culture of! fruit.

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 born 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-

Digitized by Google

632

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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 Sturde- vant, who was a native of this county and a daughter of Benjamin Sturde- vant, 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 : Del- phia, 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; Sol- vestea 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,

Digitized by Google

633

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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 inseperably 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: Layton, 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 2, 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 I, 1859; Elmira, born January 28, 1859, died August 24, 1860; 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;

Digitized by

Google

634

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

Martin, born January 22, 1869, died April 3, 1900; Lona, born November 12, 1872; J. Bruce, born April 8, 1875, died December 8, 1896.

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, to 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, Lan- chard 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

Digitized by Google

635

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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 barns 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. Newby 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.

Digitized by Google

636 .

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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) Cam- mack, who also was born in Jackson township, and to them one child, Wil- ford 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.

The Republican party has claimed the support of Mr. Newby, but owing

Digitized by Google

637

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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.

. GEORGE CRAYCRAFT.

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 says 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 Mary (Ross) Craycraft, was born in Noblesville, May 15, 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

Digitized by Google

638

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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 affairs, 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.

Digitized by Google

639

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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 farmers 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 born 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

Digitized by Google

640

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.

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.

ALVA WRIGHT KNOTTS, M. D.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 63

Author: John F. Haines Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: John F. Haines
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051