Francis M. Schoolcraft

    Francis M. Schoolcraft, farmer, Monroe Township, was born in Lee County, Virginia, January 28, 1843. His father, Michael Schoolcraft, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. He removed to Virginia after the War of 1812, in which he was a soldier; there his son Abraham was born.

    Abraham married in Virginia, and lived in Lee County, where his sixteen children were born by three wives. He then removed to Ouseley County, Kentucky, in 1856, and from there he came to Madison, Indiana, in 1863, where he died, at the age of 47.

    He was a strictly loyal man to his country, and had to leave Kentucky on account of his loyalty to the Union.

    The subject of this sketch was the eldest child, and at the death of his father, took charge of the young family of six who were left, and cared for them and found homes for them all. Mr. Francis M. Schoolcraft was born and raised on a farm.

    In 1861, October 26, he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Reg. Kentucky Infantry, and served until January 6, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. He entered the United States navy August 31, 1864, and served until discharged in June, 1865, at the close of the war.

    he came home and settled down to the quiet life of a farmer, taking to himself Mary Commisky as his wife, December 30, 1874. She was the daughter of Joe Commisky and Rebecca (Baxter) Commisky.

    The family of these two are five children, viz: Daniel B., Mary L., Cyrus E., Benjamin G. and Anna R.

    Mr. Schoolcraft owns a farm of 114 acres of good land, with a new house and good barn, and lives comfortably and happy with his family.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.