Jefferson  Clayton  Eberhart

          The man who does not feel proud of the place of his nativity is a peculiar specimen of humanity, and J. E. Eberhart is certainly not one of this class.  It has been more than forty-four years ago since he opened his eyes upon the world in Washington township, Shelby county, and he is today one of its substantial citizens.  He was born October 1, 1864, being the son of Andrew Jackson and Barbara F. (Osborn) Eberhart.  Andrew J. Eberhart, his father was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 21, 1824, and became a resident of Shelby county in 1828, his parents settling in Jackson township.  He showed traits of industry early in life and put in his entire time working on the farm when not attending school. Before he reached manhood he had helped to clear and improve a great acreage of land.  On December 16, 1860, he was married to Barbara F. Osborn, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 4, 1843, and who is still living in Jackson township.  Her husband passed away March 31, 1909.
           John Eberhart, the grandfather of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, March 18, 1804, and died in Jackson township, Shelby county, May 5, 1889.  His wife was  Nancy Randolph, a native of Ohio.
          Including J. C. Eberhart, there were ten children born to Andrew J. and wife. Besides him those living are Mrs. Lottie Conover, James D. and Willard M., both of Jackson township.
          Jefferson C. Eberhart was married to Agnes May Brand, of Hamilton county, Ohio, June 29, 1887.   The latter was born in 1862, and received in her girlhood a common school education and also attended the Amity high school.   The union of the couple resulted in the firth of four children, as follows:  May A., born May 2, 1888; Raymond J., born April 2, 1891; Maurice J., born May 4, 1903; John C., born September 15, 1906.  The first named of these children is a graduate of the high school, while Raymond has finished a course in the common schools.  They are now both taking a musical course in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music.  Mr. Eberhart is very proud of the achievements of his children, and with considerable reason. May, the eldest daughter, in 1904 received the highest grade ever given a pupil in the schools of Shelby county, easily carrying off first honors.  She completed her course in the high school in 1907.
          The people of Jackson township are a unit in the declaration that no man in the community is more deserving of success than Mr. Eberhart, who has made his way in the world through perseverance and close attention to business.  In politics he is a Republican, having been an adherent of that party for a number of years. He and his family are highly esteemed by their neighbors.
Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana by Edward H. Chadwick, B.A., assisted by well known local talent, B.F. Bowen & Co, Publishers: Indianapolis, IN, 1909, p 597-98
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming.

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