David H. Hancock

    David H. Hancock of Gill Township, comes of a family some of whose members have been residents of Sullivan County for many years. His grandfather was Sheriff of the county in the forties. He whose name heads this sketch was born in Gill Township July 10, 1857, a son of Marion and Johannah (Nash) Hancock. The parents were both natives of Sullivan County, the mother born in 1825, and the father two years earlier. The father enlisted in an Indiana regiment, served but a short time and died in the service at Nashville, Tennessee. The mother died in 1889 David H. received his education at the common schools of his native township, and remained with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming on twenty acres of land, left him by his mother. To this he added forty acres more, giving him his present excellent place of sixty acres of choice land, a portion of which he has lived upon ever since he was four years of age. Here he conducts general farming and stock raising. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and votes the democratic ticket.

    He was united in marriage, September 21, 1887, to Nannie Elliott, born at New Albany, Indiana, November 7, 1856, a daughter of William and Maggie (Ford) Elliott, who were natives of Indiana and of English descent. Mrs. Hancock's father was an engineer by occupation, and later, about 1867, went to Sullivan, where he ran the engine in a  flouring mill, continuing there until 1869, when he died. The widow married again and moved to Gill Township, where she died may 10, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Hancock were born four children:

• Rellie Otis, residing at home.

• Josephine, deceased.

• Lucian, at home

• The fourth child died in infancy.

    Mr. Hancock is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New Lebanon, Indiana. He is a progressive farmer and an excellent citizen in whom all have implicit confidence.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 315-316.