USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 76
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Millard Tyra Huunter received his education in the Brownsburg schools and after his graduation from the high school attended Butler College. After leaving college he returned to the farm and later clerked for Cope & Hunt in their store in Brownsburg. After his marriage Mr. Hunter went to farming for himself east of Brownsburg and remained on the farm about twelve years. He then moved into Brownsburg and engaged in the dry goods business, although he still managed his farm, and has never entirely relin- quished his agricultural interests. He continued in the dry goods business until 1907, when he discontinued this line of endeavor and opened the Hun- ter Bank at Brownsburg, of which he has been president since its organization. This bank has had a remarkably successful career since the date of its or- ganization, and the following statement, which was issued at the close of its business on October 21, 1913, shows the remarkable progress which it has made in seven years: Resources-Loans and discounts, $160,422.87; over- drafts, $530.81 ; furniture and fixtures, $1,400.00; due from banks and trust companies, $47,478.93 ; cash on hand. $4.484.08; cash items, $1,276.35 ; cur- rent expenses, $2,082.00 ; total, $217,675.04. Liabilities-Capital stock paid in, $10,000.00 ; surplus, $2,500.00; demand deposits. $159,121.34; demand certificates, $42.053.00; exchange, discounts, etc., $4,000.00; total, $217,- 675.04.
The bank seeks to serve the town of Brownsburg and vicinity and is
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doing an ever-increasing business, which is a tribute to the business ability of Mr. Hunter and the confidence which the people of the community have in him.
Mr. Hunter was married in the fall of 1879 to Mary Larsh, who was born in Clermont, Indiana, and came to Brownsburg when she was about twelve years of age with her parents. Mr. Hunter is a Republican in politics and has served as trustee of Lincoln township, although he is not active in politics at the present time. He and his wife are loyal members of the Christ- ian church of Brownsburg, and give it their zealous support. Mr. Hunter is a man who has shown rare business qualities, and in all of his financial deal- ings he has so conducted himself that he has won the hearty approbation of his fellow men. He is a worthy scion of one of the old and influential pioneer families of this locality, and has kept untarnished the good name which his ancestors ever bore unsullied.
CLEO L. HUNT.
It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well focused light onto the individuality and to bring into proper . perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is de- serving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered.
Cleo L. Hunt, the cashier of the Hunter Bank of Brownsburg, was born in Brownsburg, April 15, 1880. His parents were Cyrus N. and Julia A. (Hunter) Hunt. Cyrus N. Hunt, the son of Cyrus Hunt, Sr., was born at Belleville, this county, and was a merchant in Brownsburg from about 1867 until his death in January, 1891. He was a member of the Christian church, and was prominent in local public affairs of his community. Cleo L. Hunt was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Hunt.
Cleo L. Hunt was first educated in the common schools, and graduated
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from Shortridge high school at Indianapolis in 1899, after which he entered Butler College and graduated from that institution in 1904. While in col- lege he took a prominent part in college activities and was a member of the Greek-letter fraternity of Phi Delta Theta. After graduating from college he returned to Brownsburg, and when the Hunter Bank was organized in 1907 he was elected cashier and has continued in that capacity until the pres- ent time. He has shown ability to grasp financial matters in a comprehensive manner and his usefulness to the bank is increasing year by year.
Mr. Hunt was married in 1908 to Lura Harold, the daughter of Dr. Cyrus N. and Ella ( Spencer) Harold, of Indianapolis. Doctor Harold is a practicing physician in Indianapolis, and was born near Carmel, Indiana, his wife being a native of Henry county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are both devout church members, he belonging to the Christian church, while she holds her member- ship in the Friends church. Mr. Hunt is a man of strong intelligence and good judgment and with the qualities of business management which he has de- veloped he will become increasingly useful to society as he grows older. He is a man of pleasing personality who easily makes friends, and because of his splendid qualities of head and heart his friends are as numerous as his ac- quaintances.
JAMES NELSON LOCKHART.
In the removal of James N. Lockhart from this mundane sphere on the last day of 1912, there was removed another of those prominent farmers of this county who have made their way in life by force of their own merit and industry from small beginnings to great success and his memory will long be revered and his influence felt for good in this section of our common- wealth. He was of a turn to win the confidence and good will of those with whom he came into contact, and to retain their esteem and friendship with- out effort. He was a man of absolute honesty, always on the advance and managed his agricultural interests with a skill and prudence which came of a practical knowledge of every branch of the business.
James Nelson Lockhart was born near Martinsville, in Morgan county, this state, in 1848, and died at his home in Eel River township, this county, December 31, 1912. He was the son of Jarman and Leah ( Robbins) Lock- hart, and a brother of Jacob Lockhart, whose history is found elsewhere in this volume and contains the ancestry of the Lockhart family. John Lockhart died when James was a small boy and the widow and her four
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children moved from Morgan county to Marion township, in this county, on her father's farm. Here James grew to manhood and as soon as he was old enough to do a day's work he started to work for his uncle, William Robbins, for whom he worked several years, saved his money and rented a farm, to which he took his mother and some of his brothers and sisters.
James M. Lockhart was naturally a man of keen discernment and good business qualities, and saved his money with the intention of investing in land. In 1888 he bought a farm, but four years later sold it and bought one hundred and eighty-four acres one mile south of North Salem. This farm he improved and brought to a state where it is the equal of any in the county in productivity. He is an excellent and capable farmer, because he really loves his occupation, and for this reason has been able to live a con- tented and at the same time successful life.
Mr. Lockhart was married in February, 1895, to Mrs. Anna (Rook) Weakley, who was born at Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Amos D. and Margery (Currey ) Rook. Her parents came to Hendricks county after the close of the Civil War, and after a temporary stop in Put- nam county, near Roachdale, this state, they permanently located in this county near Montclair. The Rook family moved to Kansas some years after they came to this county, where they lived for a short time, and while in that state, in 1884, Anna Rook married Thomas Weakley. Mrs. Rook died in 1870 and Mr. Rook survived her many years, his death occurring in 1912. Thomas Weakley, the first husband of Mrs. Lockhart, was born near Pitts- boro, this county, and was a son of Perry and Arthusa (Smith) Weakley. When he was nine years of age his parents moved to LaBette county, Kan- sas, when there were only twenty-six white settlers in that county. In 1888, five years after he and Anna Rook were married, he came back to this county and died a year later, leaving his widow and two sons. Claude and Paul. Claude married Pearl Baggs, of Edelstein. Illinois, and lives on the old Lockhart farm one mile south of North Salem. Paul is living with his mother in North Salem at the present time. To Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart was born a daughter, Bertha Clare, who was born near North Salem, and who remains at home and is attending school.
After Mr. Lockhart was married in 1891, they lived on a farm near Montclair until 1903, when they moved to a farm one mile south of North Salem, which he had previously purchased. In 1907 Mr. Lockhart purchased a home in North Salem, where he lived until his death. Mr. Lockhart was a life-long Republican, althought he never aspired to any office at the hands of his party. He and his wife were both members of the Christian church
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and gave it their earnest and consistent support. At the time of his death Mr. Lockhart owned one hundred and eighty-four acres of land and three acres in North Salem.
The community lost one of its best citizens when Mr. Lockhart passed away. He was a man of essentially domestic tastes and was usually to be found at home with his family. He was a man who was honest and upright in all of his dealings and one who was highly respected by all with whom he came into contact. He was a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, and a man who united with his neighbors in every good work.
HON. SAMUEL H. ELROD.
True biography has a more noble purpose than mere fulsome eulogy. The historic spirit, faithful to the record; the discerning judgment, unmoved by prejudice and uncolored by enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual as in writing the history of a people. Indeed, the ingenu- ousness of the former picture is even more vital, because the individual is the national unit, and if the unit be justly estimated the complex organism will become correspondingly intelligible. The world today is what its leading men have made it. This is especially true of those whose influence has passed beyond the confines of locality and permeated the larger life of a state.
Indiana has been the birthplace and early home of many men who have gained honor and distinction in the newer states of our great West. Of this number, notable mention is due Hon. Samuel H. Elrod, former governor of South Dakota, recognized today as one of the strong and noble characters of that great commonwealth. A man of superior ability and great usefulness, a citizen representative of the utmost loyalty to every obligation of citizenship, he has given much to aid and sustain the civic and material prosperity of his adopted state, and his name is enshrined in the hearts of the people of South Dakota as one who has always given of his best.
Samuel H. Elrod was born in Clay township, Hendricks county, Indiana, May 1, 1856, a son of Jesse F. and Lydia ( Pursel) Elrod. Jesse F. Elrod was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, from which county came many of the early settlers of Hendricks county, Indiana, and about 1836 he came to Indiana, settling in Clay township, this county. Lydia Pursel was a native of
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Marion county, Indiana, born on Fall creek, now almost within the limits of Indianapolis. Both parents are now deceased.
Samuel H. Elrod was born on the farm, his father being a pioneer farmer. As a boy he was inured to hard work and had little opportunities for acquiring an education. At the age of twenty, however, he entered DePauw University at Greencastle, and "worked his way" through the uni- versity course. earning the necessary money by doing janitor and other work. He also studied law while at DePauw. He graduated from the university in 1882, and went to South Dakota the same year. He went to Clark, that state, on a construction train, to make his home there when there was not a dwelling on the town site. He was admitted to practice law in South Dakota by Judge Kidder, one of the pioneer jurists of the state, at Watertown in 1882. He did a large land and law business from the outset.
Taking, an active interest in politics, Mr. Elrod was not long in attaining a prominent place in the councils of his party, and his fine abilities soon won notable recognition from the body politic. He was a member of the first South Dakota constitutional convention, and has served five terms as state's attorney for Clark county. He also held the office of county judge for one term during territorial days. In 1898 he was a candidate at the Republican state convention at Mitchell for the nomination for Congress, but was de- feated. In 1904 he was nominated by the Republican party for governor of South Dakota, and he was triumphantly elected at the ensuing election. Dur- ing this campaign he won the sobriquet, "Honest Sam," an endearing title by which he is now known all over the state, and the public prints often speak of him as the "Abe Lincoln of South Dakota."
As chief executive, Governor Elrod measured up to the stature of any predecessor in all that concerned purity and strength of administration. There was never a period in his illustrious career when his mental equipment was not recognized by friend and foe alike as of a superior order. None ever failed to credit him with high moral purpose, true nobility of character, ster- ling sense of justice, able and comprehensive statesmanship and firm adher- ence to the loftiest of political, social and business ideals. The almost unani- mous concession to his worth disarmed the temporary determination due to partisan exigency, for there was none who could debauch his integrity or swerve his independence. His judgments found respect without reference to party predilections. Reared as a farmer boy, it was but natural that his sym- pathies should be with the agricultural interests of his state, and no executive perhaps did more for the farmers of South Dakota than Governor Elrod. The Dakota Farmer pays this splendid tribute to him :
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"From the moment Governor S. H. Elrod was sworn in as the chief executive of South Dakota, in season and out of season, he has stood by every measure that would possibly benefit the agriculturists of his state. Before in these columns we have enumerated not less than half a dozen distinctively agricultural and live stock measures that had his constant support during the last session of the Legislature, a number of which, we believe. could never have become laws without it, and now we must record one more, and in our estimation, among his crowning achievements in this line. We refer to the securing of what was known as the 'Fishback quarter' of one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land for the agricultural college and experiment station at Brookings. This splendid piece of land, as many know, was literally located in the very heart of the farm school grounds. It came up to the very doors of the college buildings on two sides, and was not only in every way perfectly adapted to the work and needs of the school, but was fast advancing in price and being clamored for by many far-sighted investors to be laid out in build- ing lots. Much more than the price given could have been had for it for this purpose. The troubles relating to getting title to this land are too complicated to explain. It is enough to say that repeatedly, during the long-drawn-out time, this title was in jeopardy, the timely and personal interference of the governor saved it from going from the state forever."
Governor Elrod did not disappoint any intelligent opinion of his excep- tional qualities of head and heart by retirement from public life, but, on the contrary. has continued to add to acquired esteem by a constant display of ability and usefulness which is continually recognized and appreciated. He returned to the practice of his profession. and is now actively engaged therein at Clark, South Dakota. In the practice of law he has achieved an enviable reputation. Years of conscientious work have brought with them not only increase of patronage, but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wise and accurate judgment the possession of which constitutes marked excellence in the profession.
Samuel H. Elrod is a plain man, a man of that plain and noble class that constitutes the creative capacity and the true manliness and worth of a com- munity. He loves South Dakota, and is very optimistic regarding the future of his adopted state. In his little home city of Clark he is peculiarly active in every movement having for its object the moral and material betterment of the community, and here it is that he is revered with a sentiment akin to idolatry. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and is a member of the official board of this denomination at Clark. He has never used liquor or tobacco in any form.
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Mr. Elrod married Mary Ellen Masten, who also was a native of Hen- dricks county. Indiana, being born near Coatesville. They have two children, Barbara and Arthur, the latter named for ex-Governor Arthur C. Mellette, who was always a warm friend and patron of Mr. Elrod.
ELEAZAR B. CARTER.
Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Eleazar B. Carter is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, be- cause it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and re- spected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Carter stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public posi- tion or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.
Eleazar B. Carter, one amongst the oldest farmers of the county, was born fifth month 30, 1844, in the county where he has spent his entire life. His parents were Samuel and Susanna (Bales) Carter, his father being a native of North Carolina, his birth having occurred ninth month 26, 1817, while his mother was a native of this county, born second month 18, 1822. Samuel Carter came to this state from Carolina when he was a lad of six years, his parents locating on a farm south of Plainfield. On his farm, which his father entered from the government, Samuel Carter was reared and re- ceived his meager education in the subscription schools of that period. Upon his marriage, tenth month 22, 1840, he moved to Liberty township on a farm of eighty acres which has father gave him and remained there until his death, which occurred twelfth month 15, 1876, his wife surviving him sev- eral years, her death occurring on fourth month 4, 1885. Samuel Carter married Susanna Bales, the daughter of Eleazar and Ann ( Millikan) Bales on tenth month 22, 1840, and to this union there were born nine children : Ira, born second month 7, 1842, died seventh month 15, 1864; Eleazar B., born fifth month 30, 1844; Asenath, born eleventh month 7, 1845, who mar- ried Cuthbert Osborn; Jonathan, born seventh-month 8, 1848, who first mar- ried Sybil Osborne, and after her death, Levina Coffin, and for his third wife,
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he married Sidney Sacre; Evan, born first month 29, 1851, who married Sarah J. Weasner; Alvin, born seventh month 13, 1854, died eleventh month 5. 1862; Nathan S., born ninth month 22, 1857, married Martha Hodson ; Dayton H., born eighth month 19, 1861, died fifth month 31, 1906; Elva, born first month 14, 1866, married Louis Stokes.
Eleazar B. Carter received the best education which was accorded by the old-fashioned subscription schools of his day, and at an early age began to help his father on the home farm. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, which occurred ninth month 18, 1869, and then rented a farm for the first five years of his married life. At the end of that time he had saved enough money to buy the farm on which he is now living. As a farmer he is wide-awake and thoroughly up-to-date in all the latest improved methods of agriculture. He keeps himself well informed on the best ideas pertaining to scientific farming and is recognized as a farmer of more than ordinary ability. He divides his attention judiciously between grain and stock raising and has been uniformly successful as a stock breeder and raiser.
Mr. Carter was married ninth month 18, 1869, to Mary Ellen Nichols. the daughter of Erasmus and Elizabeth ( Stanley) Nichols, and to this union there has been born one child, Luella, who married William B. Newlin. Mrs. Carter's parents were old settlers in Hendricks county, her father. Erasmus Nichols, being born in Pennsylvania, but came to Nelson county, Kentucky, when he was about three years of age with his parents, where he remained until 1821, when his parents removed to Indiana and located in Hendricks county. As a young man Erasmus helped to clear the ground which is now occupied by the county court house at Danville. He was married ninth month 8, 1825. to Elizabeth Stanley, whose birth occurred in Virginia, but who emigrated to this state with her parents when a small child. To Mr. and Mrs. Erasmus Nichols were born fourteen children: Thomas, born fifth month 26, 1826, who married Jane Brown, deceased first month 7, 1863; Eliza, born first month 17, 1828, married Israel Brown and her death oc- curred first month 10, 1877; Rachel, born eleventh month 14, 1829, died eighth month 16, 1831 ; Matilda, born tenth month 16, 1831, married Samuel Hastings, and her death occurred on seventh month 19, 1906; William, born seventh month 3, 1834, married, first, Luzenia Newman, and after her death. Emily Johnson ; Jane, born first month 22, 1836, married John Stewart, and her death occurred eighth month 6, 1907; Martha, born tenth month 24, 1837, married Jared Stewart, and she died in 1909; Sarah, born tenth month 22, 1839, died fifth month 10, 1842; Nathan, born twelfth month 4, 1841, died
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ninth month II, 1843; Lucinda, born second month 6, 1844, died eleventh month 1, 1846; James, born third month 9, 1846, married Rachel Nichols; Matthew, born fourth month 4, 1848, died sixth month 5, 1872; Susannah, born second month 19, 1850, died seventh month 26, 1851, and Mary E., born second month 6, 1852, married Eleazar B. Carter. Samuel Carter was born ninth month 26, 1817, and died on twelfth month 15, 1876. His wife was born second month 19, 1822, and died fourth month 4, 1885.
Eleazar B. Carter has been a Republican since reaching his majority and has never seen any valid reason why he should leave his party for that of any other. He remained true to the old party in 1912, when thousands saw fit to change their allegiance to the new Progressive party. In his church relations he has been a life-long member of the Friends church. He is finan- cially interested in the First National Bank, of Amo, and is now a director in that institution. Mr. Carter has lived a simple, honest and unostentatious life, doing good wherever he could, speaking kindly of his neighbors, charit- able to the faults of others, and his whole career has been of such a nature as to gain for him friends throughout the community in which he has spent his entire life.
WILLIAM W. GORE.
Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, William W. Gore, of Brown township, has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the end he has in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a large measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling ancestors, whose high ideals and worthy principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in all the relations of life.
William W. Gore was born near Shelbyville, Shebly county, Indiana, October 10, 1864, the son of Silas and Sarah (Barnes) Gore, both natives of Virginia, being brought by their parents to Indiana while still quite small. Sarah Barnes' parents entered land from the government in Shelby county and lived there the remainder of their lives. Silas Gore's parents died while he was still quite young and as he grew older he took up the carpenter's trade and was the leading carpenter in Shelby and Rush counties until about 1874. Building a house or barn was in those days a far more laborious task than it is today and when he took a contract for a building, it meant that he had to
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