Charles E. Vaughn, one of the best-known merchants in Greenfield, who has conducted a grocery store in the Howard block on Main Street in that city since the year 1898, was born in the neighboring county of Shelby on October 10, 1872, son of William N. and Jerusha (Wolfe) Vaughn, the former a native of Ohio, born in 1854, and the latter of Indiana, born in Shelby county, who later became well-known residents of Greenfield.

William N. Vaughn came to Indiana early in life and grew up in Shelby county, where he became a miller and where he married. He later came to Hancock county, locating at Greenfield, where he engaged in business as a general contractor in road and cement work. He was a Democrat and in 1878 was the nominee of his party for the office of sheriff, but was defeated. He was a Mason and Knight Templar and took an earnest interest in the affairs of those organizations. He and his wife were members of the Christina Union in Shelby county. William M. Vaughn died at his home in Greenfield in March, 1908, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow is still living in that city, being now past seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of two children, the subject of this biographical sketch having a sister, Jessie, who is at home with her mother.

Upon completing his schooling in the Greenfield public schools, Charles E. Vaughn was engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of Hamlyn L. Strickland at Greenfield, remaining there for seven years, at the end of which tie he transferred his services to the L.C. Thayer grocery store, where he remained three years, or until he opened a grocery store of his own. Mr. Vauhgn began business for himself in July, 1898, and has ever since occupied his present location in the Howard block, where he has long enjoyed an excellent trade, his store being well stocked and up-to-date. Mr. Vaughn's progressiveness as a merchant is indicated by the fact that he was the owner of the third or fourth automobile ever used in Hancock county. He is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for public office.

On November 12, 1895, Charles E. Vaughn was untied in marriage to Nellie May Hatfield, who was at that time employed as cashier in the Thayer store, where Mr. Vaughn was clerking, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Gertrude Harriet, who is attending DePauw University. Mrs. Vaughn was born at Cleveland, this county, February 14, 1877, daughter of Joseph Everett and Lavina (Ross) Hatfield, both of whom also were born at Cleveland, the former in 1855 and the latter in 1853. Joseph E. Hatfield for years was the telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania railroad at Cleveland and later moved to Knightstown, where he engaged in the general merchandise business and was thus engaged until his retirement from business, after which he moved to the home farm in Jackson township, this county, where he and his wife are now living. They were the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy, the others besides Mr. Vaughn being Alma, who married Joseph Williamson, and Russell, who lives at Indianapolis. Mrs. Vaughn was graduated from the Greenfield high school. After which she was engaged as cashier in the Thayer store, remaining there for three years, or until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn attend the Presbyterian church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Vaughn is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery at Greenfield, and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs, this interest having induced him to "cross the sands" and become a member of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Greenfield lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 836-837.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI September 11, 2001.

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