Benjamin F. Gharrett

Benjamin F. Gharrett, born in Huntingdon county, Pa., September 1, 1832, is the son of Henry and Nancy (Kurfman) Gharrett, who are referred to in other places. Mr. Gharrett came with his stepfather to this county in 1847, received a liberal education at Henry in this state, and in February, 1858, married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Nancy (Akerly) Griffin, of New York State, and grand-daughter of Parant and Thena (Pelham) Griffin, and John and Elizabeth (Townsend) Ackerly. To Mr. B. F. Gharrett and wife, two children were born—Olive H., wife of Charles E. Jordan, of Red Cloud, Neb., and Jennie N., a school teacher of Modena, spoken of in the chapter on education. In 1882, Mr. Gharrett purchased eighty acres on section 17, and in 1865 added a second eighty, all of which he rented in 1872, moved to Castleton, and engaged in the stock business, to which he subsequently added his interests in the elevator and grain business at Castleton. In 1878 he disposed of these interests, moved to Hastings, Neb., near which town he purchased 160 acres, had it improved, and meantime engaged in mercantile trade there. In 1880 he traded this store for 160 acres in Nebraska, and some property in this state, returned to Penn Township, purchased eighty acres on section 16, which he rents, while himself and family reside in Castleton, where he is also interested in real estate. Mr. Gharrett cast his first vote for Fillmore, was a member of the Union League, and has ever been a thorough-going Republican. In township matters he has been Justice of the Peace for several terms, a director of the Castleton graded schools for years, and has filled almost every township office. In religion he is undenominational.