Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 588-589.

ELI HAFLICH.

The HAFLICH family, of Wells County, Indiana, is of German descent, but the progenitors of Eli HAFLICH were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where Isaac HAFLICH, his father, was born and reared. Eli HAFLICH, now among the most prominent farmers of Rock Creek township, was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 25, 1840, and was brought by his parents, Isaac and Catherine (Pletcher) HAFLICH, from Ohio to Indiana in the spring of 1848 and has made Wells County his home ever since. Isaac HAFLICH, on his arrival in Wells County, entered the tract of land now owned by Jacob Beil, which was then a mere wilderness. This tract he succeeded in clearing up and in converting into a profitable farm in due course of time, beginning, as a matter of course, in the usual pioneer way, by erecting a small log cabin for shelter and clearing a small field for the cultivation of corn, on which to subsist until better provisions could be secured. There were at that time but few people at Murray and a few at Markle, and the intercourse between these but at rare intervals. Nevertheless Isaac HAFLICH acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land and at the time of his death was a well-to-do man, the result of his own industry and good management. He was a great hunter, and it was through this that he got his first financial start.

Eli HAFLICH was the seventh born in a family of twelve children, of whom there are only five now living, viz. William, Eli, A. J., John, and Barbara, wife of Alfred Breckley. At the early age of eight years, Eli HAFLICH was brought to Rock Creek township, Wells County, and assisted his father in clearing up the land, but did not neglect attending the common school whenever he found an opportunity and thus secured a very fair education. Eli continued, until he attained his majority, to faithfully assist his father, and after becoming of age worked one year for him at the wages current at the time, and then, until his marriage, hired out to whomsoever needed his services.

In November, 1865, Eli HAFLICH was united in matrimony with Miss Catherine Derr, whose parents came to Wells County, Indiana, from Richmond county, Ohio, about the year 1862. Mr. Haflich at the time of his marriage was comparatively poor and had but fifty cents in cash and a horse that cost him one hundred and forty dollars, but the animal soon died and he was left without either horse or cash. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of good land, nearly all of which he has acquired through his indefatigable industry, which was shown even when a boy, by running a threshing machine and later by raising hogs and cattle. In 1894 he erected his present fine brick residence.

To the marriage of Eli HAFLICH and Catherine Derr have been born five children, viz: William A., Ervin L., Millie, Franklin and Jennie, all married with the exception of the youngest. Mrs. Haflich having been called away by death, Mr. Haflich married for his second helpmate Mrs. Lavina L. (Zink) HAFLICH, widow of John H. Haflich. Mr. Haflich is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, in which he has also served two years as superintendent of the Sunday school, during which period he has not missed a single Sabbath. In his political affinities, Mr. Haflich is a solid Democrat and has filled the office of township assessor eight years. He is one of the influential citizens of Wells County and is honored and respected throughout its length and breadth.