E. H. Faut is the son of Frederick Wilhelm and Saphia (Spanuth) Faut, and was born in Germany in the year 1835. His parents spent their lives in the fatherland and now lie side by side in the old ancestral burying ground near the place where they were born and reared. When a small boy E. H. attended the public schools of his native land and until his nineteenth year lived where he first saw the light of day. Thinking to better his condition in a country which abounded in better opportunities for young men than did his own and of which he had read and heard so much, he decided to try his fortune in the great land beyond the sea. Accordingly, in 1854 he bid adieu to the familiar scenes of his childhood and, coming to the United States, proceeded as far westward as Hancock county, Indiana, where he decided to locate. When a young man he learned blacksmithing and on coming to this county he opened a shop in new Palestine, where he soon built up a large and lucrative business, continuing the trade until about three years ago, when, finding himself in possession of a competence of sufficient magnitude to enable him to spend the remainder of his day sin comfort he laid aside the implements of industry and has since been living in honorable retirement.

In connection with his mechanical work Mr. Faut also carried on agricultural pursuits with success and financial profit, owning a large and well-improved farm near New Palestine, on which he is now living. He married, in 1860, Miss Mary Eickman, daughter of Anton and Sophia Eickman, of New Palestine, who bore him eight children, namely: Sophia, widow of the late Samuel C. Mitchell, of this county; Caroline, wife of Carl Echert, of Indianapolis; Fred A.,. Matilda, Mary Bismark, Augusta and Bertha, the last six living in New Palestine. Mrs. Faut, a woman of many sterling qualities, a faithful wife and devoted mother, and a sincere Christian, died in 1882, aged fifty-four years.

Mr. Faut and family belong to the German Evangelical church of New Palestine and have long been noted among the most active workers of the congregation. Mr. Faut was made an Odd Fellow at Indianapolis about forty-three years ago and is now one of the oldest members of the Germania Lodge of that city. Soon after becoming accustomed to the conditions of things in his new home in the United States he began taking an active interest in public affairs and it was not long until he was a recognized leader among the German-American citizens of Hancock county. Espousing the cause of the Democracy he became a zealous party worker and in recognition of service efficiently rendered was called to fill various local offices among which were those of trustee and assessor. Later, in 1872, he was nominated and elected treasurer of Hancock county, the duties of which responsible trust he discharged in an able and praiseworthy manner until 1876 inclusive. As a public servant he proved popular with all classes, irrespective of party, exhibiting conservative care as custodian of the people s funds and leaving the office with a record untainted by a single breath of suspicion. He served the school board several years and in that capacity did much to promote the cause of education in his township.. As a politician, Mr. Faut s advice and counsel, as well as his work in the ranks, have long been recognized by the leaders of the party in this section of the state and in every campaign he performs efficient service. He is invariably chosen to represent his township in the various convention, county, district and state, and several times was chosen a delegate to national conventions. His interest in matters political may be inferred from the fact of his having attended within the last forty-three years ten national conventions, besides taking a leading part in convocations of minor importance. Mr. Faut is a sound-money Democrat and did not support William Jennings Bryan, voting for Palmer and Bucker. He has long been a profound student of political economy and kindred subjects and there are few men as deeply read and widely informed upon sociology and the history of the United States as he. Not only is he a reader and thinker, but, for many years past he has been a regular contributor to various periodicals, especially to the local press.

Entertaining fond remembrances of his childhood home, Mr. Faut has three times visited the land of his birth and renewed many acquaintances of his youthful days. He has three brothers living at the present time, William, who has never left the fatherland; Frederick, who resides in St. Louis, Missouri, and Carl, whose home is in New Palestine.

Transcribed from Biographical Memoirs of Hancock County B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Indiana, 1902 Pages 426-428.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI Aug 15, 2006.

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