USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 100
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In 1900, Clarence Haskett was united in marriage to Verna G. Thomas. a native of Willow Branch, Hancock county, and who is the daughter of John W. and Sarah E. (Smith) Thomas. John W. Thomas was born on September 27. 1854, at Willow Branch, being the son of .Alfred and Mary J. ( Earle) Thomas. The father was a farmer and John W., after completing his education, engaged in tilling the soil, which occupation he followed and was most successful. John W. Thomas farmed near Willow Branch for a number of years and later sold and removed to Henry county, near Strawns, where he has since lived. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Jackson township and the daughter of Richard and Amanda ( Simmons ) Smith.
Richard Smith was born on January 8, 1826, in Rush county, near Smelzei's mill and was the son of Samuel and Parthenia ( Roland) Smith. San.uci Smith was born in the state of New York and his wife was a native of Connecticut. Samuel Smith and his wife came to the county when the son, Richard, was but seven years of age, and entered government land in
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Jackson township. The country was one vast wilderness at the time and there seemed to be but little pleasure in store for the new settlers. They came from Rush county in a sled. They at once built a log cabin and cleared a small tract of land and at once began the building of a home. Here they have made their home. the land never having been out of the family since entered from the government. Mr. Smith continued to buy land until he owned one thousand, three hundred and twenty acres. Richard Smith grew to marhood on his father's farm, where he lived all his life, with the excep- tion of twelve years after marriage, when he resided some two miles from the old home. He died on February 23. 1890.
Amanda (Simmons ) Smith was born in Rockingham county, Virginia. on April 1, 1827. and was the daughter of Henry and Christina (Etter ) Simmons. The Simmons family came from the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, and were among the early settlers of Jackson township, where their descend- ants are prosperous and honored citizens. Amanda Simmons was thirteen years of age at the time her parents came to their new home in Indiana.
Clarence Haskett and wife are the parents of one son. Hoyt, born on April 7. 1001. Mr. Haskett has many friends: is obliging, yet strict, and adheres to principles of honor and straight business. Mrs. Haskett is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DAVID F. HAWK.
David F. Hawk was born in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, July 25, 1849, a son of James C. and Mary J. (McNamee ) Hawk. James C. Hawk was born in Brown county, Ohio. September 16, 1824, the son of Henry and Susan ( Flangher) Hawk. Henry Hawk was born on July 13, 1786, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Susan Flaugher was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1788. Henry Hawk was the son of John Hawk, who was born in Germany. John Hawk, with his parents, settled in Washington county. He was the son of John Hawk, Sr. Both he and his wife died in Washington county. Pennsylvania. John Hawk, Jr., the eldest of the sons, enlisted in Capt. William Berryhill's Company of the Cumberland Brigade of the Pennsylvania Militia and served until the close of the war. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and was present at the surrender of the British at Yorktown. David F. Hawk, the subject of this sketch, still has in his possession the army rifle which his great-grandfather carried in
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the Revolutionary War. This gun was also carried by his grandfather, Henry Hawk, in the War of 1812. John Hawk, Jr .. after the Revolution, was married and migrated to Mason county, Kentucky, where he lived for twelve years. He was there joined by his brother. Samuel, and they together moved to Brown county, Ohio, where they settled and died about 1840. It was there that Henry Hawk spent the remainder of his youth. It was there that he was married to Susan Flaugher, the youngest child of Adam Flaugher and wife. both natives of Germany. AAfter his marriage Henry Hawk farmed in Brown county, Ohio, until 1832, when he came to Hancock county, Indiana, and set- tled one mile west of Greenfield where he lived for a year. Ile then entered one hundred and sixty acres of land six miles west of Greenfieldl and one mile south of the National road. Here Henry Hawk, the grandfather of the sub- ject of our sketch, built a large log house, containing two large rooms and a porch. He also built a large log barn and here in the wilderness made a home. In addition to being a good farmer he was an expert weaver and wagon maker and it is said he could "stock" a plow as quick as a blacksmith could make the iron work and it is said of him that not the least of his accomplishments was the fact that he could turn a "hand-spring" at the age of sixty. He died at the age of seventy-seven years in September. 1863.
The father of the subject of this sketch. James C. Hawk. was the youngest son of Henry Hawk and he was born in Brown county, Ohio, and in his ninth year he came with his parents to Hancock county, Indiana. This was about 1832. At this time the National road was just being built. James C. Hawk spent the remainder of his childhood and youth on the homestead of his father in Sugar Creek township. Here he received his early education and later taught school for three years, having received his first certificate to teach from Capt. Reuben .A. Riley, who was the father of James Whitcomb Riley. Indiana's honored poet. James C. Hawk was married in 1847 at the age of twenty-three years to Mary Jane McNamee, who was born near Ironton, Ohio. September 16, 1826, and who was the daughter of David and Catherine (Townsend ) McNamee. They came to Hancock county from Ohio in 1834 and settled in Sugar Creek township, seven miles east of Greenfield, where they lived and died. Mary Jane Mc Namee was one of two children. the other a brother. Benjamin.
James C. Ilawk, after his marriage, bought forty acres on the cast of the home place whch had on it a log house that had been built by his brother. Here he took up his residence. He later bought forty acres more one-half mile south. Then after his father's death he bought the old home place which gave him one hundred and twenty acres. In 1854 he built a frame house, then
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in 1876 he built a large frame house of imposing appearance containing seven rooms at a cost of twenty-four hundred dollars. It was here he spent the remainder of his life, dying on June 10, 1904, at the age of nearly ninety-one years. His wife. Mary Jane, preceded him by nine years, she died on March 28, 1895. They were the parents of the following children : David F., who is the subject of this sketch: Annie Elizabeth, Henry L., Benjamin, who died at the age of eight years: Catherine N., Ekloro George O., and Charles H .. all living except Benjamin.
David F. Hawk was born on the old home place in the log house where his father first began housekeeping. Here he spent his childhood and youth and attended the "Swamp" school. It was a log school house and was also used by the Methodists for their church and Sunday school. It was here that James C. Hawk taught school in his early days and David F. Hawk's father was his first teacher. After finishing school David F. Hawk helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then he taught school for two years and studied law for a few months and then entered the dry goods business with Presley Guyman at Greenfieldl. A year later he sold out and returned to the home farm and the next winter taught school. On May 23. 1877, he was married to Eliza J. Strubb, who was born in Marion county, near Cumberland, October 31. 1856. She was the daughter of Herman H and Caroline ( Reissner) Strubbe, both natives of Germany. Herman 11. Strubbe was born in Hanover, Germany, November 8. 1821, and immigrated to l'itts- burgh, where he remained for a few years and where he was married on May 6, 1851. to Caroline Reissner. She was born on February 5. 1823. in Ger- many. Herman H. Strubbe was a cabinet-maker by trade but was employed as a bookkeeper in Pittsburgh and in Marion county he followed saw-milling and farming until his death, which occurred on August 2, 1888. His wife had died on October 17, 1877. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy: David G., Eliza J .. Carrie R. and Emma Il .. are living.
David F. Hawk, after his marriage, bought forty acres from Benjamin Hudson, adjoining the home place, and then farmed with his father for several years. Eight years after his marriage he bought sixty acres one-half mile north of New Palestine in Sugar Creek township and from time to time he added to this farm until at the present time he has over two hundred acres. practically all in one body. His farm is improved with a good eight-room resi- dence and a fine barn and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. He is the father of the following children: Dr. Edgar A., resides at Fiul. Indiana : Mary C., at home : James H., Chester L., Mable J., wife of Ernest
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F. Kottlowski: David F., who died at the age of eleven years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hawk are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hawk is also a member of New Palestine Lodge No. 404. Free and AAccepted Masons. In this order he has filled all the chairs. He is a member of the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in Greenfield. He is a Republican in politics and one of Han- cock county's and Sugar Creek township's most substantial citizens,
ELMER E. MACE, M. D.
Elmer E. Mace was born near Lexington in Scott county, Indiana, a son of Lambert E. and Eliza ( Reid) Mace. Lambert E. Mace was born in Scott county on June to. 1843. and died on December 19. 1913, at the age of seventy years. He was a son of Albert G. and Roxanna Mace. Albert G. Mace was born in Pennsylvania and was of English descent. his father being a native of England, who came to America prior to the Revolution and set- tled in Pennsylvania. Albert G. Mace was one of the pioneer settlers of Scott county. He was a farmer, who lived to the ripe old age of eighty-two. and spent most of his life in Scott county. He was a prosperous farmer and at his death owned about four hundred acres of land.
Lambert E. Mace, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead and spent his youth there. receiving his education in the common schools of Scott county. He was married to Eliza Reid, who was also born in Scott county on August 20. 1844. She was the daughter of Thomas Reid, the latter and his wife being natives of Scott county and pioneer citizens. Thomas Reid in the early days operated one of the first water grist-mills on Hog Creek. Eliza Reid was one of five children. of whom she was the fourth in point of years. She had three brothers and one sister. Lambert E. Mace was one of four children, one child. a girl, dying at the age of twelve years and the surviving children were Lambert E., who is the father of the subject of this sketch : Cyrus and Oliver. The last two are still living. Lambert E. Mace, after his marriage, took up his residence on a farm adjoining the old homestead, where he lived for the remainder of his life. dying on December 20, 1913. In addition to his farming interests, he was a manufacturer of drain tile. He was an unusually successful farmer and business man and despite some business reverses, owned at his death two hundred and twenty acres of land. He was a member of the Christian church and his wife is likewise a member of the same church. His father was the
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main support of the church at Lexington. Lambert E. Mace was a Republi- can in politics, but in his later years voted the Prohibition ticket. . His wife is still living and resides with her daughter at Scottsburg. They were the parents of seven children: Eva, who is the wife of William Best, of Santa Barbara, California; Roxanna, who resides in Los Angeles, California : Law- son N .. who is an attorney at Scottsburg; Elmer E., ; Walter, who resides east of Scottsburg; Martha, who is the wife of Roland HI. Weir, of Scottsburg. and Lola, who is connected with the Battle Creek sanitorium.
Elmer E. Mace was born on the old homestead of his father in Scott county. He spent his childhood and youth here and attended school in the old Frog Pond school house and later the high school at Lexington, and on graduating from the latter he entered Hanover College, where he took a two-year classical course. In 1898 he entered the Indiana Medical College. now the medical department of Indiana University, from which he graduated in the class of 1902. As a result of a competitive examination he was ap- pointed interne at St. Vincent's hospital in Indianapolis, which position he held fron: May 1, 1902, to May I, 1903. He then served at the central hos- pital for the insane. where he had charge of a department. . All through his training, starting under the able Doctor Marsee, local surgeon of the Big Four Railroad, and afterwards under Doctor Ford, chief surgeon of the Big Four Railroad, he was during his student career associated with two of In- diana's best surgeons. AAfterwards he enjoyed splendid opportunities in hospital and clinical work. . After leaving the central insane hospital. he was physician in charge and assistant superintendent of the Marion county hos- pital for insane at Julietta, for the ensuing year. He then entered the general practice of medicine at New Palestine. This was in 1905 and for the last ten years he has enjoyed a large and increasing practice. In this time he has become thoroughly identified with the community and its interests.
On May 3, 1908. Elmer E. Mace was married to Grace Huntington, who was born in Hancock county, north of Cumberland. She was a daughter of Milton S. and Hester ( Kitley) Huntington, both of Hancock county. Grace was one of three children, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving are : Grace and Milton S., who is a veterinary surgeon at New Palestine. To Elmer E. Mace and wife one child was born, Helen, on November 1 1910.
Doctor Mace is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a men- ber of the Baptist church. Doctor Mace is a member of New Palestine Lodge No. 404. Free and Accepted Masons: New Palestine Lodge. Knights of Pythias: New Palestine Lodge No. 844, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: New Palestine Camp No. 6922, Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is also
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a member of the Hancock Medical Society and of the Indiana State Medical Association. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the town board. As a physician Doctor Mace is extremely popular and progressive and as a citizen his character and reputation are above reproach.
CHARLES LOUIS JACOB HERRLICH.
Charles L. J. Herrlich was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, July 12. 1884. the son of Max and Mary ( Bechert ) Herrlich. Max Herrlich was born in Saxony, Germany, October 3. 1857, the son of Ferdinand and Johanna ( Teufel ) Herrlich, who were also natives of Germany. By occupation Ferdi- nand Herrlich was a weaver and dyer, learning both trades in his native country and following the same for some years after coming to America. which was in 1865. He worked for some time in Philadelphia and later moved to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, which occurred on December 20, 1881. His wife, Johanna ( Teufel) Herrlich, died on January 21. 1801. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four grew to maturity. Herrman, Emil, Emma and Max.
Max Herrlich was a small boy when he came to this country with his parents and settled in Philadelphia. There he learned painting, paperhanging. decorating and frescoing, and worked in that line for some time after the family moved to Indianapolis. Later he engaged in business for himself in Indianapolis, but sold out in 1885 and came to New Palestine. In 1886 Mr. Herrlich purchased the business of two undertaking establishments in New Palestine, combined them and enlarged the stock and added fine funeral equipment. Max Herrlich soon became known as an able and reliable man in his line of business and his patronage steadily increased, his skill as an embalmer and his tact as a funeral director enabling him to secure the business of a large territory in Hancock and adjoining counties. His energy, industry and integrity of purpose made him one of the best-known men in Hancock county, and he was always interested in the welfare of the community. In 1002 Mr. Herrlich furnished the capital for the New Palestine waterworks system and he aided many other public enterprises.
On September 9, 1877. Max Herrlich was united in marriage to Mary Bechert, daughter of John Bechert formerly a prominent business man of Indianapolis. To this union were born seven children, Emma, Luh, Charles, Anna, Nellie, Julia and Luciel. Lulu is the wife of Frank H. Rafferty, of
Mat Herrlich
Mary Herrlich
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New Palestine, and they had three children, Maxine, who died in infancy; Lilhan and Lenore. Anna is the wife of Shirley Hendryx and resides in In- dianapolis. Max Herrlich died on April 27. 1900. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and a member of the German Evangelical church.
Charles 1 .. J. Herrlich was only ten months old when with his parents he came to New Palestine. He spent his childhood and youth here and attended the common schools and high school, graduating with the class of 1903 from the New Palestine high school. As an evidence of good scholar- ship it might be noted that owing to illness he was prevented from taking the final examination in the grammar school and a vote of the class was taken exempting him from taking the examination, which shows a high degree of proficiency in his studies. As a boy he helped his father in his undertaking establishment, assisting in the many and varied tasks which fell to his lot. At twelve years of age he began driving the hearse for his father and from that time on he assumed an increasing share of the responsibility. In May, 1908. he took a course at the Barnes Training School at Indianapolis. After com- pleting this course he resumed his work at New Palestine. In May, 1909. he took a course in the Askin Training School of Indianapolis and on the completion of which he took the state board examination, which he passed successfully. After he received his state license he again resumed his pro- fession as a funeral director.
On May 16, 1900. Charles 1. J. Herrlich was married to Bessie May Breedlove, who was born in Moral township. Shelly county, October 22. 1885, and who was the daughter of Jasper Alonzo and Nancy (Creed ) Breed- love. Jasper Breedlove was born in Shelby county, where he resided until 1000, when he moved to Indianapolis, where he now resides. His wife was also born in Shelby county and still survives. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the wife of the subject of this sketch is next to the eldest.
The business of Mr. Herrlich is now conducted under the firm name of Max Herrlich & Son funeral directors, but Cherles E. J. Herrlich is ably assisted by his sister, Emma Herrlich, also a member of the firm. like the subject of this sketch, since childhood, has grown up in the profession of her her father, starting to assist him at the early age of thirteen years. At the age of sixteen, in November, 1805, she took a course in embalming under the auspices of the Massachusetts School of Embalming held in Indianapolis. After completing this course she again took her place with her father. Later, in March, Toco, she took another course with the Massachusetts College of Embalming and then took the state board examin-
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ation in July, 1901, which she successfully passed, and she was the first female embalmer in the state. Her practical experience under the able instruction of her father makes her work a valuable adjunct to the success of the business.
Charles L. J. Herrlich, since assuming the direction of his father's busi- ness has almost completely remodeled their establishment. Among many up- to-date features is a modern office and a chapel which will seat a hundred and twenty-five people, also a well arranged garage and carriage repository. Among a few of the special features that might be mentioned is his automo- bile equipment. He has recently added a magnificent hearse. ambulance and casket wagon, each built to order on his own specifications and are among the finest in the state. He carries a complete line of caskets, ranging from the lowest in price to the most costly. in lead-coated steel, copper and brass, as well as a complete line of vaults. He also carries a complete stock of wearing apparel for burial purposes. The firm is composed of Mrs. Max Herrlich, Emma Herrlich and Charles L. J. Herrlich.
Charles L. J. Herrlich is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the German Evangelical church and his wife is a member of the Friends church. He has been at different times presiding commiteeman for his party. He is a Mason, member of Lodge No. 404 at New Palestine: a member of the Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men and Modern Woodmen of America ; and he has held the highest chairs in all of these lodges except in the Masonic lodge. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past sachem of the Red Men, past venerable constil of the Modern Woodmen of America and a junior deacon in the Masonic body. Mr. Herrlich is also a director of the New Palestine Telephone Company and was formerly presi- dent and director of the New Palestine Cemetery Association. He is one of New Palestine's most prominent and progressive citizens.
MATTHEW T. WILLETT.
Matthew T. Willett was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on Decem- ber 5. 1859. He was a son of Matthew T., Sr., and Elizabeth Willett. Matthew T. Willett. Sr., was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on September 16. 1820. He was educated in Hancock county, having come to Indiana as a boy when the family took up farming. Matthew T. Willett Sr.'s, father died when Matthew T. was only nine years old, leaving the family responsibility on the shoulders of young Matthew T., Sr. He farmed the greater part of
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his life, retiring in his later years and leaving the care of the farm to his children. He married Elizabeth Willett, who was a distant cousin. She. also, was born in Maysville, Kentucky, in November, 1823. and accompanied her father and mother, in 1820, to Indiana. They made a visit to Kentucky when she was nine years old. They came on horseback and brought with them a bandana handkerchief in which was wrapped their wealth in gold, tied to the saddle-bags and thus conveyed to their new home in Indiana. The wilderness condition of what is now Hancock county is shown in a couple of instances related by the mother of the subject of this sketch: Upon returning home one afternoon she saw and captured a young fawn and taking it home made a household pet of it. On another occasion while she was out she saw a large bear which she took to be a dog and which her father later killed upon hearing of the incident. Elizabeth Willett died in January 29. 1896.
Matthew T .. Sr .. and Elizabeth Willett were the parents of the following children : C. J., who is a resident of Indianapolis; Mrs. Lida Carter, who is a resident of Greenfield: Marion F., who is a farmer in Hancock county : Matthew T., who is the subject of this sketch, and Henry Clay and Josephine Boyd, who are both deceased.
Matthew T. Willett, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Hancock county and in the Greenfield schools. Later he took up farming, in which he was engaged until August 25, 1907, at which time he came to Greenfield and engaged in the undertaking business with Oak Morrison as partner. He remained in this business for two and one-half years, at which time he sold out his interest to his partner and purchased a grocery store and on May 25. 1911, he entered the grocery business, in which he was successful from the start. Hle was secretary and director of the first gas company organized in Hancock county, outside of Greenfield, and saw to the management of the first gas-well sunk in Hancock county outside of cities. In commenting on the early condition of the Indiana roads, Mr. Willett stated that his family lived about four miles from town and despite the fact that four horses were used to haul a wagon, it took all day to get six bushels of grain to the mill and have it ground and return home with the flour. This trip lay over what is now known as the Noblesville road, one of the best pikes in the state.
Matthew T. Willett was married to Rosa L. Gant, who was born in Han- cock county on November 3, 1861. She was the daughter of Frank and Lucina E. ( Judkins) Gant, both early residents of Hancock county. Mrs. Gant died when Mrs. Willett was only two years old. She was the only child. Mrs. Willett received her education in the Greenfiekl schools. Mr. and Mrs. Willett were the parents of the following children: Earl, who is a farmer
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