Clarence Haskett, the son of Josiah M. and Anna (Hawley) Haskett, was born on January 11, 1878, in Dudley township, Henry county, Indiana. Josiah M. Haskett is the son of Robinson Haskett and wife, who were early settlers of Henry county. Robinson Haskett came from North Carolina and located in Dudley township. Here he was one of the first settlers and here he farmed all his life. He was an extensive landowner and a man of much prominence, taking an active interest in all the affairs that tended to the advancement of the community. He and his family were active members of the United Brethren church.

Josiah M. Haskett grew to manhood on the farm of his father and was engaged in farming all his life. In young manhood he married Anna M. Hawley, who was a native of Henry county and a daughter of Eli and Mary J. (Jacoby) Hawley, who came from Pennsylvania in an early day. After coming to the county, Eli Hawley entered land from the government, northwest of Strawns Station. He farmed all his life and owned five hundred acres of land. Eli Hawley was a man who took much interest in the development of the community in which he lived and, because of his wise judgment, he was often the adviser in many of the affairs of the neighborhood. He was recognized by all as a prudent leader.

Josiah Haskett and wife, like their parents, were active in the work of the United Brethren church. Mr. Haskett was a man of excellent business judgment and ability, and he had the confidence and the respect of all who knew him. His wife preceded him in death by one year. Josiah M. Haskett and wife were the parents of seven children, as follow: Izora M., of Straughn; A. Clifton, of Rush county; Claude, who lives at Lewisville, Indiana; Clarence, of Charlottesville; Clessie, who home is at Strawns; Chauncey, of Indianapolis, and Borga, of Bloomington, Indiana.

Clarence Haskett grew to manhood on the farm of his father. He completed the common and high school of Strawns and took a course of normal school work. He began farming for himself on his father's farm and in 1902 bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, southwest of Knightstown, where he remained for five years. He then sold the farm and came to Charlottesville, where he was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock. He later bought a farm near Strawns, which he still owns. On November 1, 1913, he organized the Citizens' Bank of Charlottesville, and has been the cashier since that time. The bank was organized as a private bank, owned by and incorporated company, with a capital of ten thousand dollars.

Besides his farm, Mr. Haskett owns a tract of farm land adjoining Charlottesville on the west, which is used for a feeding farm. His farm is a well-improved tract, with modern and convenient buildings and in a high state of cultivation. His success as a farmer has been in keeping with his progress in other lines of work. He has the confidence and respect of a large number of the best people of the community in which he lives and where he is engaged in business.

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 Smelzer's mill and was the son of Samuel and Parthenia (Roland) Smith. Samuel 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 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 manhood on his father's farm, where he lived all his life, with the exception 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 descendants 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, 1904. Mr. Haskett has many friends; is obliging, yet strict, and adheres to the principles of honor and straight business. Mrs. Haskett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1025-1027.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 25, 2001.

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