HURST, Clement C. - Putnam

Practical industry, widely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement. This fact having been recognized early in life by Clement C. HURST, the well known business man of Grencatle, he has seized the small opportunites he has encountered on the ruggwed hill that leads to life's lofty summit where lies the ultimate goal of success, never attained by the weak, ambitionless and inactive. Mr. HURST was born in Jefferson township, Putnam County, his father, Amos HURST, having been a native of the same township. This family has been prominent in Puthnam County since the days of the first settlers and from that period to the present no family here has borne a better reputation. Amos HURST became known as one of the leading educatiors of this locality, having taught school until he was thirty years old, the following farming until his death, March 12, 1873, having spent his entire life in Putnam County. He took some interest in political affairs and he served at one time as assessor of Jefferson township. He married Frances E. KELLER, who was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, from which state she came to Putnam County, Indiana, with her parents as a child. Her death occurred on August 29, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Amos HURST were highly respected by all their neighbors for their upright and useful lives. They were the parents of five children, namely: Clement C.; of this review; Clara A. is the wife of Oscar O. Lane, of Wichita, Kansas; Rowena A. is the wife of Charles E. SMITH, of Greencastle; Josephine is the wife of Harvey S. GARDNER, of Ladoga, Montgomery County, Indiana; Alpheus E. is living on the old home farm in Jefferson township. The HURST family is of English stock, the first representatives of this name having emigrated to America six or seven generations ago. He came from England and located in Virginia. Clement C. HURST's great-grandfather, John HURST, lived in Tennessee. The former's geat-grandfather, Jesse HURST, came to Putnam County, Indiana, about 1822. The grandfather, George HURST, a native of Tennessee, came to Putnam County, in 18 22, settling in Warren township. later removing to Jefferson township. George HURST married Elizabeth HIBBS, a native of Jonesboro, Tennessee, having been married March 17, 1825. She came to Putnam County, Indiana, and here married George HURST. Eleven children were born to the, Amos, father of Clement C., being the oldest. George HURST died in April, 1865, at the age of sixty-five years, having been born in 1799. George HURST was one of the early pioneers of Putnam County, he and his brother, David HURST, having come here from Tennessee on horseback, and after looking over the land returned home and brought their families here. Clement C. HURST lived on the parental farm, which he worked in the summer months, attending the district schools in the winter until the age of twenty-two years, when he moved to Greencastle. He hae previously attended school here, and took a course in DePauw University and became well educated. He was twenty-eight years old when he located permanently in 1822, settling in Warren township, late removing to Jefferson township, which he followed for two years, after which he came to Greencastle and served three years as deputy County recorder, then served three years as deputy auditor under George M. BLOCK. He made an excellent record in these capacities, giving the utmost satisfaction. He then engaged in the fire insurance business, which he still continues, having built up quite an extensive patronage. In 1902 he was elected County auditor, serving four years. During his term in this office the new court house was built. He resumed his fire insurance business after his term of office expired. He still owns a farm and is engaged in stock raising. Mr. HURST was first married to Louella WALKER in 1887. She was a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. No children were born to this union. Mrs. HURST was called to her rest on October 11, 1896. On September 23, 1905, Mr. HURST married Pauline BLAKE, of Greencastle, daughter of George E. and Lizzie BLAKE, a well known family here. This union is also without issue. Daniel HURST, second cousin of Clement C., was elected County recorder of Putnam County, in 1886, holding the same for eight years. He now lives in Shattuck, Oklahoma. Mr. HURST belongs to the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, and also belongs to the Masons. Politically he is a Democrat and has long taken an active interest in political affairs, as already intimated. His counsel has frequently been sought in local matters, and he was a delagate to the last national Democratic convention in 1908. He stands high in the councils of his party in the fifth district. For his public spirit, his deep concern in all that pertains to the welfare of is community and for his known scrupulous integrity, he is held in high favor by all classes.