Daniel Craycraft

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Daniel Craycraft (born August 22, 1836 in Ohio - died November 18, 1902 in Noblesville, Indiana), the son of Zadock Craycraft and Leah Goodykoontz, was an industrious entrepreneur and businessman of the late 19th century.

When Craycraft first came to Noblesville, he started a small photograph gallery. He later formed a partnership with George Vestal in the drug business. His next business venture was to establish a grocery and notion store. In later years he confined his business to handling dry goods at his store, Craycraft & Osbon. He was the largest taxpayer in Hamilton County, his investments being mainly in real estate, mortgages and stocks. For several years he was president of the Noblesville Gas & Improvement Company, a director in the Water Company, the Electric Light Company, the First National Bank and the Wainwright Trust Company. At the time of his death, his estate was estimated to be worth between $75,000 and $100,000 — a sizable sum in the early 1900s. Craycraft started with nothing and accumulated his wealth by industry, honesty, and close application to business.

During his life, Craycraft contributed liberally to charity and donated sizable sums to every church built in Noblesville. He owned several important pieces of property in downtown Noblesville, one of which — the Carlin-Craycraft Building — still bears his name.