PICKETT, Charles Milton and David - Putnam

Among the progressive, enterprising and industrious residents of Floyd township, Putnam county, Indiana, none takes higher rank than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is descended from a prominent and well-known Southern family, the Picketts having come originally from North Carolina, where they occupied a prominent place in their locality. The subject's paternal grandfather, Aquilla Pickett, reared a family of fourteen children, all of whom attained to respected positions in life, being well known in Putnam county. Two brothers, Thomas and Ralph, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Seritha, still survive. The Pickett settlement in this county numbered many members and during war times it was commonly known as Fort Pickett. The subject's father, David Pickett, was born on the 14th of April, 1829, and died on the 29th of January, 1909. He was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, and accompanied the family on their removal to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1830. Here the father entered land, first settling in Russell township, but three years later he moved to Floyd township, where he spent his remaining years. He was a Democrat in politics, but not an office seeker, though he was induced to accept the position of overseer of roads. Though not a member of church or fraternal organizations, he was a good man and enjoyed the unbounded confidence and respect of all who knew him. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Spaugh, and she also was a native of North Carolina. To this worthy couple were born six children, namely : Polly, Charles M., Ellen, Lawrence, Sophia and Malvina. These children are all living and all, with the exception of the last named, are residents of Floyd township. Charles M. Pickett was born on the 26th day of July, 1856, and was reared under the parental roof. As soon as old enough he took tip the work of the farm and became an able assistant to his father. After completing his education in the common schools, he became a student in the Normal School at Danville, and then took up the occupation of teaching school, in which he was successfully engaged for fifteen years. In 1900 he served as township trustee, his former experience in the school room aiding him in his performance of the duties of the office, which he discharged for four years to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. Since quitting the school room Mr. Pickett has devoted his attention to agriculture, in which also he has met with marked success. He owns sixty acres of as good land as can be found in the township and being practical and systematic in his operations, he has been enabled to realize a good profit on his land. He carries on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock. On August 30, 1887, Mr. Pickett was united in marriage with Myrtle Adams, who was a native of Putnam county and a daughter of Ephraim Adams, of Greencastle, and to this union were born five children, namely : Chester, Dallas, Lelia, Rolland and Garia, all of whom are living. Mrs. Pickett died on March 25, 1898, and on February 1, 1906, Mr. Pickett married Ella Hendricks, who was born in Owen County, Indiana, March 25, 1866, the daughter of John M. and Clara (Lancet) Hendricks. The father is a native of Warren township, this county, his father having been a native of Bath County, Kentucky, and a pioneer settler in Putnam County, where he entered land. Mrs. Pickett's mother is descended from German ancestry. To this second union three children have been born, twins, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Louise, born November 21, 1909. Politically Mr. Pickett is a stanch Democrat and he takes a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs, though not an office seeker. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 542, Free and Accepted Masons, at Grove- land, which he served as worshipful master several terms and of which he is now secretary. His religious membership is with the Missionary Baptist church, of which he is a regular attendant and in the work of which he takes an active part. His support is always given to whatever tends to advance the highest interests of the community and because of his integrity of character, his genial disposition and his genuine worth, he is held in high esteem in the community.