Flowers left for James Hollcraft HOLLCRATT, Abraham , a prominent farmer and one of the largest land owners of Kirklin township and of Clinton county, Ind., as well, is descended from sturdy English and Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather emigrated from England, and was a resident of Washington county, Pa., at the time of his death. The father, James HOLLCRATT, was married in that county to Elizabeth LYTTLE, and on a flatboat he and his family went down the Ohio river to Warren county, Ohio, where they lived for four years. Their next place of residence was Clinton county, Ohio. Mr. HOLLCRATT secured 160 acres of land from the government and purchased another quarter section. He went through all the hardships of pioneer life, but his earnest efforts were at length successful, and the land which he purchased at $1.25 per acre is now valued at $60. He belonged to the Christian church, and was a democrat in politics. His death occurred at the age of sixty years. By his first marriage were born eight children: Robert, who wedded Susan KIMBAUGH; John, who died at the age of twenty-one; Abraham; Ann, wife of Abner LUDDINGTON; Eliza, wife of George WOODMANSEE; Lucinda, wife of Ambrose WHITTAKER; Melinda, wife of Seth COOK; and Harvey, deceased. The mother died, and Mr. HOLLCRATT afterward wedded Mrs. Rachel (COOK) SPAULDING, by whom he became father of three children William, Samuel and Mary. The record of Abraham Hollcratt will prove of interest to the readers of this volume, for he is both widely and favorably known in this county. He was born in Washington county, Pa., October 5, 1807, and in his younger years he worked at splitting rails for $8 per month. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Polly McGILL, whom he married November 12, 1832. He then traded his stock and his crops to a man who was to bring him to Indianapolis, and in November, 1833, arrived in this county, after a journey of eleven days. They had a four horse team and Mrs. Hollcratt rode on horseback. When the expenses of the journey were met our subject had only $22.50 remaining. The year previous he had here purchased 100 acres and entered forty acres additional, and on the second of December, 1833, moved into the little log cabin which he built upon his farm. His wife was taken sick and there were many hardships and trials to be borne. They also had two little children: Elizabeth Jane, now the wife of Robert McCLAMROCH; and one who died early in life. Deer and other wild game were plentiful, and wolves were frequently seen. Mr. Hollcratt at once began to clear and improve his land, and worked very hard during those days. At this time a rich firm was buying all the coon skins in the county, having a monopoly on the same, when a Mr. FURY made a contract with Nathan KIRK, telling him to buy all the skins he could possibly obtain, and get others to do the same. Mr. Hollcratt. who had sold a horse and saddle for $65, was advised. by Mr. Kirk to buy coon skins with the cash, and this he did, purchasing them for fifteen cents each and selling for eighty-one cents each, thereby making a good profit. This proved of great benefit to him and gave him a start in other directions. All other experiences of frontier life are known to Mr. Hollcratt, and he can relate many interesting incidents of those pioneer days. In 1868, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of January. On the twelfth of November, following, he married Mrs. Harriet (CAMPBELL) KERSEY, who was born May 30, 1817, in Bath county, Ky., a daughter of Williamson and Nancy (CASHAW) CAMPBELL. She is a member of the Christian church, to which Mr. Hollcratt formerly belonged. In early life he was a Jackson democrat, but subsequently became a republican. He has given to each of his seven grandchildren a good house and lot and owns fifteen houses and lots in Kirklin, and the same number in Frankfort, together with a number of well improved farms, comprising 840 acres, on which are 1,200 rods of wire fence with iron posts and many rods of tiling. He has $5,000 in stock in the Farmers' bank at Frankfort, and is now a wealthy man, owing to his own earnest labor, economy and perseverance. He has a very pleasant home, supplied with all modern improvements and lighted with natural gas, and there he is spending his remaining days, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. Pages 730-731. Source I Transcribed by Chris Brow - Thelma Brooks Morgan Added: Feb. 2, 2010 Accuracy and Copyright Disclaimer