Obituary
The subject of this sketch, Thomas Franklin Moorman, son of Thomas and
Eunice Diggs Moorman, was born near Polpar Run, Randolph County, Ind. on the
28th day, fifth month, 1852 and just at dawn on the 11th day second month,
1928, he answered the summons of his Master to come up highter and was ushered into that Brighter Home of which he spoke so often.
His early childhood days were spent on the farm, residing there until 1865, when his parents moved to Winchester, where he has resided continuously until now. Here he recieved his education, perparing himself for the active life into which he was soon to enter.
In 1877, he was united in Marriage to Elvira A. Hiatt, this happy union
being blessed with three sons, Walter, who died in 1907, Herbert and Lester.
In 1872 he accepted a position in the Winchester bank, and on the
organization of The Farmers and Merchants bank in 1870 he was elected cashier
serving in this capacity until the expization of the charter in 1898,
declinging to continue as cashier at the re-organization, but served
continuously as one of the directors until 1925, until his health would not
longer permit his active participation in the affairs of the bank, a marvelous record of more than a half century in active financial affairs.
At the time of the founding of the James Moorman Orphans' Home he was
chosen by the donor as one of its trustees, serving continuously on this board to the time of his death, he being the last of the original board to answer the final roll call. He was a great lover of children, and the unfortunate little ones who found a home here had no more loyal friend than Mr. Moorman.
His mother was born on this farm, and it is a fitting tribute to these
noble old Quakers that the farm should be dedicated to such a purpose.
He was of a family of seven children; five boys and two girls, all of whom except one sister, Hannah Marlatt, of Winchester, and one brother, William Alonzo Moorman of Galton, Ohio, have preceded him beyond.
He has a birthright in the Friends church, serving for nearly a third of a century as one of the trustees of the Yearly Meeting, for many years as Clerk of the Quarterly-Meeting here, was a charter member of the Winchester Friends Church, and at the time of his death was one of the trustees, having served in this capactity many years.
He was a 32nd degree Mason, member of the Knights Templar lodge, of which
he served as its first commander when it was organized in 1907, Worthy Patron
of the Eastern Star, member of the I.O.O.F. and of the Knights of Pythias.
He always manifested an abiding interest in the public affairs of this
community, many of our finest immprovements being traceable to his efforts. No worthy enterprise was started but what had his moral support and financial
backing. he was essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgement and far
seeing in what he undertook.
No less than his public life has been his home life. He was plain,
charitable, broad-minded, genial and neighborly, devoted to his family and
friends and in the respect leaves a memory that can not be forgotten. It was
an inspiration to see the devotion of this family.
He was a man of exemplary character, and in every way merited the universal esteem was so long according him, and his clean, upright life will be an inspiration to those with whom he came in contact.
As the curtain of life was drawn this good man passed on to a promised
reward well earned.
He leaves to mourn their loss his devoted companion, two sons, three
grandsons to whom he was been a real father, one granddaughter,
daughter-in-laws, one sister, one brother, besides other relatives and the
entire community of friends.WINCHESTER CITY AND WHIGHTE RIVER TOWNSHIP
Thomas F. Moorman, of Winchester, Ind., comes of a family of bankers and
financiers, and is on of the leading men in in this line in Indiana. He was
born in Stony Creek township, Randolph county, Ind., May 28, 1852, and received his preparatory educational course in the schools of Winchester, which he attended until eighteen years of age; he then went to Richmond Ind.,for the purpose of obtaining a more extended education, but illness compelled him to relinquish the desire, and consequently he returned home to labor upon the farm, which was more conducive to his health. He remined upon the farm until 1872, when he located in Winchester, assuming a position in the Winchester Bank. Upon the organization of the Farmers & Merchants' bank, in 1878, he was elected cashier, and has held this responsible position ever since his election. To this good management and financial experience belongs the credit of taking the Farmers and Merchants' bank through the terrible panic of 1893. Mr. Moorman is also interested in a bank at Union City, this county, and also one at Portland, Ind. Aside from the banking business he is also interested in agriculture, and owns 390 acres of very valuable land in Randolph County. He is a man of public spirit and enterprise, and has always the good of the city and community at heart. In 1893 he erected the magnificent block at the northeast corner of the public square, it being the most modern and best commercial block in Winchester.
The marriage of Mr. Moorman occurred December 4, 1877 to Miss Elvira A.
Hiatt, daughter of A.R. Hiatt, whose sketch will be found up another page of
this volume. This estimble lady was born near Winchester, Randolph County,
Ind., September 21, 1851, and has added to the happiness of her husband by
presenting him with three children, as follows: Walter H., born March 4, 1879; Herbert R., born December 28, 1883, and Lester F., born November 2, 1887. Mr. Moorman and his wife are leading members of the Society of Friends, of which he is treasure of the quarterly meeting, and one of the trustees of the yearly meeting. In politics Mr. Moorman is an earnest republican, and under the auspices of that party has served as town councilman for two terms.
He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and two years was worthy patron of the Eastern Star degree in Masonry. He is also prominent in Odd Fellowship and Knights of Honor. To show the undoubted confidence the philanthropist James Moorman had in him, it may be well to state that he was appointed administrator of the philanthropist's estate, which was valued at over one-half million of dollars, and was also selected by the testator as one of the trustees of the Orphans Home, which is located just west of Winchester. Thomas Moorman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, March 11, 1815, and in 1821 came to Randolph Co., Ind., with his parents, who settled four miles west or the present site of Winchester, being among the earliest settlers of this county. In 1838 he entered land in Stony Creek township, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he removed to Winchester and became connected with the Winchester bank, which connection he retained until 1878, since which year he has been vice president of the Farmers and Merchants' bank. On April 19, 1838, he was united in marriage with Miss Eunice Diggs, who was born on a farm two miles west of Winchester, April 19, 1821. Mrs. Moorman was the daughter of William Diggs who was also a pioneer of this county. This lady bore hapy companionship with her husband until December 8, 1892, when she was called to her eternal rest, and is buried in Fountain Park cemetery. To Thomas and Eunice Moorman were born seven children: Thomas F., whose birth is given above; Tarlton W., born April 11, 1839, and died September 22, 1860, Agnes born April 30, 1842, and died October 13, 1860; William D., born August 25, 1844, and died December 26, 1848; Hannah, wife of William P. Marlett, an employee of the united States Government at Indianapolis, born June 30, 1848, Hiram D., born March 7, 1855 and William A. born January 5, 1860, and who is in the banking business at Portland, Ind.
Selected Families and Individuals
GEORGE W. HIATT [Parents
] was born about 1856 in Indiana. He married Lena HIATT. GEORGE resided in 1860 in Franklin, Randolph, Indiana. He was born about 1857 in Indiana. He resided in 1880 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana, United States. He resided in 1870 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana. He resided in 1900 in White River, Randolph, Indiana. He resided in 1930 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana.
Lena HIATT was born about 1863 in Indiana. She married GEORGE W. HIATT. Lena resided in 1900 in White River, Randolph, Indiana. She resided in 1930 in Winchester, Randolph, Indiana.
They had the following children:
F i Mable J HIATT
F ii Irene HIATT
Resolutions on the death of Fermen C. Focht
To the Randolph Co., Bar Association
We, your committee appointed to draft a memorial upon the death of Ferman C. Focht, respectfully submit the following: -
Ferman C. Focht, the son of Alfred C. and Lavina Focht, was born May 30, 1867, in Peble Co., OH, adn died at Winchester, IN, on the 2nd day of September, 1925. He was reared on a farm and as a boy worked hard at farm work, his father having died in 1873. Necessity compelled him to attend so strictly a good education and finally, at sixteen years of age, started out for himself. He came to Randolph Co., IN, in 1884, and found a home with John W. Jarnigan near Wincheseter. While living with Mr. Jarnigan he completed the course of the Winchester High School and attended Holbrook Normal School at Lebanon, OH, for two terms. He taught in the public schools of Randolph Co. from 1888 to 1892, and began to study law at Winchester, in the office of Marsh and Thompson, while still teaching. He was soon afterward admitted to law at the Randolph Co. Bar and in 1898 entered into partnership with Joseph W. Thompson. While with Mr. Thompson he helped him in revising and preparing for publication, "Thompson's Indiana Citations", a work of great value to Indiana Lawyers, and still in constant use by the profession. In 1901 his partnership with Mr. Thompson was dissolved and he practiced alone until 1906, when he formed a partnership with Thomas W. Hutchens which continued until the Fall of 1923. Since then he had practiced alone.On December 2nd, 1896, he married Mary A. Hiatt, the daughter of Riley A. and Mary Hiatt, and two children, Wilbur H. and Frank A. Focht, were born to this union. Mr. Focht is survived by his widow and two sons, his mother, a brother and two sisters.
Ferman C. Focht's life was characterized by hard and painstaking labor. his education in school, in business and in law, came to him only as the result of laborious effort, and he attained success because he had the determination to succeed. He was prominenht in the community and a participant in all community activities, accepting duties which imposed upon his time and were detimental to his financial welfare, but he gave to these duties the same painstaking care he gave to his business. He served as Secretary of the Republican County Committee, as Mayor of the City of Winchester, as Mayor of the City of Winchester, as a member of the Board of Control of Fountain Park Cemetery, and during and after teh World War, as Chairman of the Randolph Co. unit of the Red Cross. He worked untiringly at the latter task with no hope of reward except the consciousness that he was contributing his part to the service of his country.
He was a member of the Directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Winchester, and the Secretary of James Moorman Orphans' Home. He was a member of Winchester Lodge, No. 56 of Masons, and of the Chapter and Council of the order. He belonged to the Winchester Lodge Knights of Pythias, and was a past chancellor of that lodge. He was a member of the Sons of Veterans, and was, a short time ago, the Commander of the Indiana Division of that order. He felt a great friendship for the Sons of Veterans, and took great pleasure in the annual Memorial Day exercises. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Winchester and was formerly the Superintendent of it's Sunday School. His services to and interest in these organizations and activities were not perfunctory but were helpful and enthusiastic. His advice and consel in business matters were always carefully considered and safe.As a lawyer he was energetic and industrious, faithful to his trusts, and honest with his clients, his partners in the profession, and with the Court. He presented his cases virgorously to court and jury and was an antagonist not ot be despised. He worked hard for his clients, and prepared his cases well. He was genial in manner, and had the facluty of convincing his clients not only of his interest in their cases, but of his personal friendship for them, and his ability to handle the business, both in his office and upon the docets of this court, which in the past few years has been steadily growing in volume. He went into the examination, preparation and presentation of questions, both of law and of fact, laboriously, and in detail, and while his qualities as a lawyer did not include brillancy, ingenuity of invention, or swiftness in logical deduction, yet he was generally able to make his point evident, and his conviction was generally well grounded in legal reasons or precedent. He was clean and honest in his methods, and his success in the practice is a tribute to his determination, his courage in the face of obstacles and his industry. He will be classed as one of the successful practitioners at this bar.
Mr. Facht was a splendid husband and father, a man of excellent moral standards. He will be missed in the business and community activities of this county and at the bar of this court.Your committee respectfully moves the adoption of this memorial.
Signed John W. Macy, Walter G. Parry, T. W. Hutchens.
Found in HH Book
(784.) MOSES HIATT (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 9-6mo-1804, Grayson Co., Va.; d. 1-7mo-1856, Randolph Co., Ind.; m. 1-12mo-1831, Randolph Co., Ind., to LAVINA EDWARDS; b. c1814, NC.; living 1860 Randolph Co., Ind.CH: (2100.) Anderson; (2101.) Cyrus; (2102.) Elwood; (2103.) Elizabeth; (2104.) Jesse.
Sent by Ruhama Shannon From History of the Hiatt Family in The Winchester
Journal-Herald, Saturday, December 28, 1946. Page 6
Sent by Betty Hiatt.
See pg. 302 of HH book by WPJ, Volume I. Says that Moses was born on July 9, 1804, a bit of a difference.
Sent by Rhuama Shannon taken from the History of the Hiatt Family in the Westchester Journal-Herald, Saturday, Dec 28, 1946. Page 6. Sent by Betty Hiatt.
(2100.) ANDERSON HIATT (784.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 1835/6, Indiana.
(2101.) CYRUS HIATT (784.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 1838, Ind.
(2103.) to (2104.) No further record.
(2103.) to (2104.) No further record.
Found in HH Book, Sent by Echo Mallery
S/o John and Sarah Wright Coats, Thomas and Sarah Coats were brother and sister.
(786.) MARY HIATT (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 1806, Grayson Co., Va.; d. 8mo-1896, Randolph Co., Indiana; m. (1st). 19-6mo-1842, to THOMAS WRIGHT COATS, as his second wife; d. 1857; (see No. (615.) ).; m. (2nd). as his second wife, to WILLIAM PICKETT. No record of any children.Sent by Ruhama Shannon from the History of the Hiatt family in the Westchester Jounal-Herald Saturday, Dec 28, 1946. Page 6
History of Randolph Co., Indiana:
Mary Hiatt Coats Pickett - "I was born in Grayson Co., Virginia, in 1806. My father, Zachary Hyatt, came to Wayne County, Ind., 1814, and to Randolph County in 1817. Winchester, when I first saw it, October, 1819, had a courthouse and jail, and three houses. Once father lay sick, and I was weaving. Suddenly I saw through the open door a deer crawling through a crack in the fence. There were two crooked rails, one up and the other down. The deer had one hind leg broken. I sprang out with my little thread-knife, and my sisters and myself, with the dog, chased the deer one-quarter of a mile to a pond about knee deep. The dog caught the deer by the throat, and we waded in and killed it with clubs. We dragged the deer from the water, cut the leaders of the legs, and tucked the others in so we could carry it with a pole, and in that way we bore it home in triumph. The men were away, except father, and he was sick. Once the men were shooting turkeys, and one lit down into the yard and tried to crawl through the fence. My sister and I caught it and killed it."I used to spin and weave a great deal. I have woven many a yard of tow, and linen, and woolen. I wove coverlets, etc., for the whole region, Richmond, Mississinewa, Wabash, etc. Mr. Lewallyn from Ridgeville, once bought five coverlets. I told him, 'I can't weave them, I have more than I can do.' 'Don't say a word,' said he, 'I shall leave the work, and you must do it, though it should stay here five years. ' So, he left the work, and in due time I wove them. We used to card and spin raw cotton, and wool too. My price for weaving coverlets was, $1 a piece.
"One day mother went away to be gone ten days. The flax was on the ground rotting. We girls took up the flax, dried, broke, swingled and hatcheled it, carded, spun and wove it, and by the time mother came home, the cloth was in garments, and on the children's backs.
"We used pewter platters, dishes, etc. (Mrs. Pickett showed a large ancient pewter platter, about a foot across, and heavy and thick, that her mother bought in 1818. It had never been molded over, and was about as good as new.)
"My father sold his place in North Carolina, and got ready to move to Indiana. Everything was packed and loaded, ready to start in the morning. The boys got up before daylight, and fed the horses, and got the harness to 'gear up.' Mother said, 'You need not do it, father is sick.' In ten days, father died. Mother married again, and in a year or two, came to Indiana." (R110). (This last paragraph does not apply to Zachariah Hiatt, so there is an error some place -- editor.)
Sent by Rhuama Shannon from the History of the Hiatt Family in the
Westchester Journal-Herald Saturday Dec 28, 1946. Page 6.
(786.) MARY HIATT (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 1806, Grayson Co., Va.; d. 8mo-1896, Randolph Co., Indiana; m. (1st). 19-6mo-1842, to THOMAS WRIGHT COATS, as his second wife; d. 1857; (see No. (615.) ).; m. (2nd). as his second wife, to WILLIAM PICKETT. No record of any children.Sent by Ruhama Shannon from the History of the Hiatt family in the Westchester Jounal-Herald Saturday, Dec 28, 1946. Page 6
History of Randolph Co., Indiana:
Mary Hiatt Coats Pickett - "I was born in Grayson Co., Virginia, in 1806. My father, Zachary Hyatt, came to Wayne County, Ind., 1814, and to Randolph County in 1817. Winchester, when I first saw it, October, 1819, had a courthouse and jail, and three houses. Once father lay sick, and I was weaving. Suddenly I saw through the open door a deer crawling through a crack in the fence. There were two crooked rails, one up and the other down. The deer had one hind leg broken. I sprang out with my little thread-knife, and my sisters and myself, with the dog, chased the deer one-quarter of a mile to a pond about knee deep. The dog caught the deer by the throat, and we waded in and killed it with clubs. We dragged the deer from the water, cut the leaders of the legs, and tucked the others in so we could carry it with a pole, and in that way we bore it home in triumph. The men were away, except father, and he was sick. Once the men were shooting turkeys, and one lit down into the yard and tried to crawl through the fence. My sister and I caught it and killed it."I used to spin and weave a great deal. I have woven many a yard of tow, and linen, and woolen. I wove coverlets, etc., for the whole region, Richmond, Mississinewa, Wabash, etc. Mr. Lewallyn from Ridgeville, once bought five coverlets. I told him, 'I can't weave them, I have more than I can do.' 'Don't say a word,' said he, 'I shall leave the work, and you must do it, though it should stay here five years. ' So, he left the work, and in due time I wove them. We used to card and spin raw cotton, and wool too. My price for weaving coverlets was, $1 a piece.
"One day mother went away to be gone ten days. The flax was on the ground rotting. We girls took up the flax, dried, broke, swingled and hatcheled it, carded, spun and wove it, and by the time mother came home, the cloth was in garments, and on the children's backs.
"We used pewter platters, dishes, etc. (Mrs. Pickett showed a large ancient pewter platter, about a foot across, and heavy and thick, that her mother bought in 1818. It had never been molded over, and was about as good as new.)
"My father sold his place in North Carolina, and got ready to move to Indiana. Everything was packed and loaded, ready to start in the morning. The boys got up before daylight, and fed the horses, and got the harness to 'gear up.' Mother said, 'You need not do it, father is sick.' In ten days, father died. Mother married again, and in a year or two, came to Indiana." (R110). (This last paragraph does not apply to Zachariah Hiatt, so there is an error some place -- editor.)
Sent by Rhuama Shannon taken from the History of the Hiatt Family in the Westchester Jounral-heraold Saturday Dec 28, 1946. Page 6. S/o Benjamin and Ann Cox.
(787.) HEPSA HIATT (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 23-4mo-1808, Grayson Co., Va.; d. 14-12mo-1890, Randolph Co., Indiana; m. 12mo-1827, Randolph Co., Indiana, to JOHN COX, son of Benjamin and Ann (Rhoads). Cox; b. 23-12mo-1802, Ohio; d. 12-11mo-1881, Randolph Co., Ind.CH: (2114.) Cerena; (2115.) Simeon; (2116.) Levi; (2117.) Anna; (2118.) William; (2119.) Delilah; (2120.) Elijah; (2121.) Rosanna; (2122.) John Rhoades. (R81, 109, 111).
(2116.) LEVI COX (787.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. c1834; d. age 20 or 21. (R111).
(2118.) WILLIAM COX (787.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. c1839; d. age 10. (R111).
married in Whitewater (Hicksite) MM, Wayne Co, IN
Hiatt Hiett volume I, page 304
(788.) SARAH HIATT (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 26-3mo-1810, Grayson Co., Va.; d. 16-11mo-1883, Huntington Co., Indiana; m. 11-1mo-1836, Wayne Co., Ind., to JESSE BOND, son of Joseph and Sarah (Mendenhall). Bond; b. 4-11mo-1812; d. 17-8mo-1876, Huntington Co., Indiana.CH: (2123.) Cyrus; (2124.) Lydia; (2125.) Emily; (2126.) Susanna; (2127.) Mary; (2128.) Rosanna.
Sent by Ruhama Shannon from the History of the Hiatt Family in Westchester Journal-Herald Saturday, Dec 28, 1946. Page 6.
(2123.) CYRUS BOND (788.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 25-12mo-1836; d. 1839.
(2125.) EMILY BOND (788.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 16-11mo-1841; d. 21-1mo-1870.
(2126.) SUSANNA BOND (788.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 18-5mo-1843; d. young.
(2127.) MARY BOND (788.) (201.) (31.) (3.) (1.):
b. 24-12mo-1847; d. 1934/5; unmarried.