Howard-Hendricks County IN Archives Biographies.....Hockett, Elwood S. 1847 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 6, 2006, 12:02 am

Author: Jackson Morrow

ELWOOD S. HOCKETT.

   Among the men who have been largely instrumental in developing and advancing
the opulent natural resources of Howard county and who have been instrumental in
advancing the public welfare stands the gentleman whose name initiates this
review and whose fine real estate office is in Kokomo. It is most consonant that
in this compilation mention be made of those sterling pioneers who have done so
much for the upbuilding of this section of the state, in the majority of
instances being compelled to endure the vicissitudes which usually attend those
who form the advance guard of civilization in a new country. Time and prolific
enterprise have wrought wonderful changes in this section since our subject
first saw the light of day, and the great section no longer depends upon its
initial industry of lumbering, but has been brought forward to the high plane
which is marked in the older sections of the commonwealth. The subject, who has
aided materially in the developing of Howard county, was born in Clinton county,
Ohio, October 5, 1847. He was brought to Hendricks county, Indiana, when ten
years of age, and on April 1, 1868, reached Kokomo. He is the son of Asa
Hockett, a tile manufacturer, who started the first tile manufacturing plant in
this part of the state, which occupation he followed for fifteen years, dying in
Kokomo at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Elizabeth Wasson, to whom he
was married in Ohio, was born in Wayne county, Indiana. She was the daughter of
Calvin W. Wasson, a Friends' minister for fifty years, having spent his longlife
preaching throughout Ohio and Indiana, however, he lived for several years in
Miami county. Elizabeth died in 1879, twenty-two years before the death of her
husband. She was fifty-five years old. They had a family of three sons and one
daughter, namely: Albert, a carpenter, living at Altus, Oklahoma; Elwood;
Martha, wife of Rev. Dr. Newton, of Noblesville, Indiana; Walter, a machinist
employed at Indianapolis. Elwood S. is the only one living in Howard county,
where he has made his home for the past forty years. On coming to Kokomo he
engaged with his father in the manufacture of tiles and finally became the owner
of the plant which he operated for fifteen years, operating it during the summer
season and teaching school during the winter months in Miami county and Howard
counties for a period of four years. He taught in Kokomo as principal for four
years in a ward school. He was principal in the fourth ward from 1873 to 1876,
having about four teachers under him. Professor Cox was then superintendent,
with his wife as assistant. Several of the subject's pupils became efficient
teachers, including Indiana Mortz. Although the subject received only a common
school education together with what he received at the teachers' institute, he
is a highly educated man, having always been a close student and is widely read,
and a brilliant conversationalist, being able to interest his readers on almost
any topic, whether political, educational, scientific or literary.

   Having learned the brick mason's trade in his youth he followed contracting
for several years in Kokomo and Howard county. He also successfully operated a
grocery store for several years.

   In 1888 he was elected township trustee, serving in this capacity with credit
for seven years. This was a serious time during part of the term, for the panic
of 1893 caused a money stringency that resulted in the officials of this county
having many poor people to look after, and our subject helped to provide for the
wants of at least two thousand who were out of employment and had to be
assisted. making his position a responsible one, but he filled it with great
credit, and erected school houses and did many other commendable things.

   In 1895 he launched in the real estate business, carrying insurance, dealing
in loans, etc., with which he has been eminently successful owing to the careful
and honorable methods which he has employed in managing the same. In the
meantime he had a machine shop at Tipton which was under his direction. But his
time is now devoted almost exclusively to his office work. He carries a fine
line of fire insurance and has many good loans out.

   The E. S. Hockett addition to Kokomo is in the southeast section of the city,
and he was one of the six men who opened the Parkview addition at the time of
the gas development. It comprises sixty acres in the residence section of the
city, which has proven a choice building district. He has also helped open
additions for others, understanding the best methods with which to carry out
such plans to successful issues. His associates have been Ed. A. Simmons, the
present postmaster: J. C. Dewees and L. E. Collins, the last named being his
associate in 1908.

   Mr. Hockett deals extensively in both city and country property, having an
agency for northern, northwestern and southwestern lands. He is at present a
member of the city council and is noted for his firm stand at all times for
substantial improvements in Kokomo, having great faith in the city's future.
Being so popular throughout the country, his advice and services are naturally
sought during elections and he is always a delegate to various conventions where
his voice is heard in their deliberations or his influence felt in the shaping
of their policies. Needless to say that our subject is a loyal Republican. Among
the noteworthy things that Mr. Hockett has done for Kokomo may be mentioned the
fact that he was largely instrumental in securing a number of manufacturing
establishments while a member of the old association which was organized for the
purpose of promoting the city's enterprises.

   Mr. Hockett was united in marriage in 1872 with Mabel E. Banta, who was born
in Bartholomew county, Indiana, having come from Preble county, Ohio, to Kokomo
in 1865, and taught school for some time in Howard county. To this union two
children have been born, namely: Jessie, a music teacher who is still a member
of the family circle; Glen, who resides in Kokomo and is city electrician.

   The subject has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since
he was twenty-one years old, or for a period of thirty-eight years in 1908,
being one of the oldest members in this lodge in the vicinity of Kokomo, having
passed all the chairs and been representative to the grand lodge. He is also a
Master Mason. Thus in many ways can we account for Mr. Hockett's popularity in
Howard county.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)


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