CRAFT, Daniel
DANIEL CRAFT
Source: Weik's History Of Putnam County, Indiana
Illustrated 1910: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers Indianapolis, Indiana
Author: Jesse W. Weik
Among the prosperous and influential farmers and stockmen of the southern part of Putnam County is Daniel Craft, owner of a beautiful and valuable landed estate in Washington township where he is ranked as a model farmer and citizen. He was born in Logan County. Ohio, |uly 22, 1842. the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Funk) Craft, both natives of Virginia, from which state they came to Ohio in an early day with their parents, grew to maturity in the Buckeye state, met and married there. Daniel Craft accompanied his parents to Owen County. Indiana, in 1861. locating southeast of Bowling Green, later moved to Patricksburg, that County, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-two years. There were nine children in this family, six of whom reached maturity, four of them living at this writing, namely: Abraham, living in Harvey County. Kansas: Daniel, of this review: Susan, who lives in Patricksburg, and Margaret Frances, who resides at Lewis, Aigo County, Indiana. Daniel Craft left home when seventeen years of age and worked as a hired hand on a farm for two years until he could get a start, at sixty dollars per year: however, he could save but little out of so meager a wage. He then learned the tanner's trade in Bowling Green, Clay County, and followed the same for a period of three years, receiving one hundred and twenty dollars per year and board, and he became quite proficient in this line. At the end of three years he was able to buy a house beside his clothing, etc. He then started a tannery at Patricksburg in company with his uncle. Abraham Funk, who supplied the capital, which partnership continued successfully for two years, when they closed out, realizing a profit of about one thousand dollars as a reward for Mr. Craft's persistent labor and skill, this sum proving to be of great advantage to him just at that time; but he then worked in a saw mill for a time, after which he began farming, renting, for a period of five years, the farm in Washington township, Putnam County, which he now owns, the place having formerly been owned by Elias Garner, and is located on Mill creek and the Eel river in the southern part of the County. At the expiration of the rented term he bought the place, which consists of two hundred and twenty-four acres, for which he paid the sum of seven thousand and six hundred dollars, assuming a debt of all but one thousand dollars, paying six per cent, interest. He proved to be a good manager and a hard worker and greatly improved the place from year to year, paying off the entire debt in fifteen years. He has cleared thirty acres, leaving forty acres of the original natural timber; he has about ninety acres of rich corn land. He carries on general farming, but his principal dependence is in hogs, which he raises for the market in large numbers. He has prospered and has added a splendid tract of two hundred and ninety acres, just south of his original farm, operating two places as one. His fields are well tilled, well kept and highly improved and he has a substantial, comfortable and imposing dwelling, built at the foot of a high bluff, near some delicious crystal springs, not far from the river. Mr. Craft was married September 1, 1864, in Clay County, to Thursy Jane Crouse, a native of Clay County and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Crouse, her father having operated a water mill on Eel river on a farm above the Craft place, his mill being a popular one for a number of years. It was known as the Kinsley mill, one of the oldest in the country and it is still standing, one of the old mill-stones now gracing the front yard at Mr. Craft's home. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Craft, two of whom died in infancy, the others reaching maturity, namely: Van Milroy is farming in Washington township; Zora Frances is not married and is living at home; Lucretia Florence is married to John Baumunk and is living in Washington township; Minnie Mercy married Robert Evans and is living in Washington township; Carrie Belle married Wesley Neese. a farmer of Vigo County; Curtis Theodore is operating part of the homestead: Ursula Ann married David Modisett, of Harmony, Clay County; Isaiah Henry is also assisting in the management of the home fami: Benjamin Carl is still a member of the family circle. Daniel Craft served one term as justice of the peace in a very acceptable manner. Being an independent tliinker. he is not aUied to any party, preferring to vote for the man of the best principles and qualifications. He has been a follower of the teachings of the Christian church, and he holds membership with the Mill Creek congregation, being a liberal supporter of the local church, and known as one of the community's leading citizens in every respect.