HOCKETT-Phineas V. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

P(hineas) V. HOCKETT, lawyer and farmer, Harveysburg, was born Jan 20, 1827 in Chatham Co NC. His parents, Dr. Samuel and Edith VESTAL Hockett were natives of NC and of Scot-Irish descent. In 1832 they moved to Morgan Co IN and there in 1838 she died. Dr. Sam was a graduate of the Medical University of PA and practiced medicine till he became tired of it, then gave his time to the farm. He was an old-time whig then republican and in 1878 voted the greenback ticket. He came to Fountain Co in 1870 and made his home with his son, PV where he died Dec 12, 1878 aged 82 years. There were 7 children grown, 3 girls and 4 boys. PV left home at age 17 and spetn one summera t school in Richmond and one session in Mooresville. He then apprenticed himself to Calvin NEWLIN in Parke County two years for $100 and clothe himself to learn the tanners' trade. He then entered into partnership with his brother, Uriah in the tanning business which company lasted two years. He then bought the tan yard of Harlan HARVEY in Parke and after two or three years sold and bought the saw mill and 80 acrse of land of Harlan Harvey near where Harvesyburg stands. He soon sold out and bought a watermill on Sugar Creek in Parke County. This he sold and then bought 240 acres which is his present for $2000. He now owns 440 acres in his home farm. In 1858 he opened a little store, with Dr. McNutt in which they kept a general stock of goods. His business career closed about 1875 and he has confined himself to his farm and practice of law. For 8 years he has been notary public and has alos been township assessor and secretary. he was a republican but in 1874 he allied himself with the greenback party. He has been prominent in the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias Lodges; was WM in Harveysburg Lodge at its organization and again in 1864, 65 and 68 and has held other offices. He was married Feb 28, 1848 to Cyntha HOBSON daughter of William and Ruth Hobson. She was born and raised in Parke County.