CHARLES E. KNOTTS, perhaps one of the most extensive, as well as successful, melon raisers within the limits of Sullivan county, Indiana, whose farm is situated in Haddon township, is a native of the township in which he now resides, born May 10, 1868, a son of George and Sarah J. (Parrette) Knotts. The father was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1816, and died December 12, 1898, in Haddon township. The mother was born in Fayette county, Ohio, November 13, 1830, and died February 3, 1898. This worthy couple were united in marriage in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Haddon township, Sullivan county, in the latter part of the sixties, locating a half mile west of Carlisle, on a farm containing two hundred and ten acres which they bought of William Akin. George and Sarah Knotts remained in Haddon township until their death. The father was a firm defender of Democratic party principles and in his fraternal affiliations was a Mason. His wife was a member of the Christian church. Their children were: George C., died December 30, 1893, aged thirty-one years; Lucy B., born March 25, 1864, died April 22, 1888; Charles E., of this notice.


Charles E. Knotts was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, remaining at home until he reached his majority, when he began farming for himself in Haddon township. In 1891 he moved onto the farm he now occupies and owns, inheriting a part and purchasing the interests of the remaining heirs, thus making his present farm one hundred and twelve acres, all within Haddon township. Here he carries on an exclusive melon culture farm. For seven years he produced watermelons alone, but for the last seven years has grown muskmelons, which product finds ready sale within the state, including the large cities and smaller towns, within shipping distance. In his political views Mr. Knotts is in perfect accord with the Democratic party, but prefers that others hold the local offices, while he attends strictly to his own business, trusting in his fellow citizens to administer the laws within his county and state.


He was married March 25, 1887, to Rachel T. Carmichael, born in Greene county, Indiana, April 26, 1869, and she received a good education within the county of her birth. Her parents were George W. and Nancy Carmichael. Her father was born in Greene county, Indiana, and is now residing in Terre Haute. The mother was born in Ohio and died when Mrs. Knotts was but eleven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Knotts are the parents of seven children, as follows: Bessie M., born November 15, 1888, unmarried, a graduate from Brown's Business College at Terre Haute; Jesse M., born March 14, 1890; Carl R., born January 9, 1892; George R., born March 13, 1894; Charles V., born February 26, 1896; John A., born April 22, 1898; Henry Herbert, born March 24, 1900.