History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 64

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

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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 a 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 boy 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

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ALVA W. KNOTTS, M. D.

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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

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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 Nobles- ville, 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

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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-

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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 by 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 Nobles- ville. 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.

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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

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house in his home neighborhood. He left school early in order to contribute his share to the support of the family.

His 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, always 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;

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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 remembered 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 by 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. 4

In the quaintly built town of Ulm, in Wurtemburg, Germany, there was

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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 far-away 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 Noblesville, 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.

Mr. Wild was an extensive builder. He put up more large, substantial buildings than any man in the county. In building the opera house and some other public buildings he displayed a degree of public spirit and home pride

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that were most commendable. His record was a quite wonderful one. From a poor German boy, without means and with a limited education, he rose to be the merchant prince and the largest builder of his home city. He spent over one hundred thousand dollars in erecting buildings in Noblesville, among the more prominent of which are the Judge Moss home, now occupied by C. M. Albert; the R. L. Wilson homestead, the David Anderson home, on West · Pleasant street, which he occupied many years, the building occupied by the gas company and John Sperry, the Craycraft & Osbon Block, the old Opera House, the East Side business block, the new Opera House, the Methodist parsonage, the Second Ward School building, the C. C. Curtis and Henry Gaeth homes and his own handsome late residence on Conner street. He was also instrumental in locating the Strawboard Works in this city. In politics, Mr. Wild was originally a Jackson Democrat, but in 1864 voted for Lincoln and ever after that was allied with the Republican party. About twelve years ago he was a candidate for the nomination of state treasurer before the Republican State Convention and made a very creditable showing He always took a deep interest in local matters and had his heart set on serving his city in the common council. This desire would have been grati- fied had he lived, as on his seventy-fifth birthday he was elected to the council from the second ward.

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History of Hamilton County Indiana, her people, industries and institutions, Part 64

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

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