from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)----pages 823-825
Among the citizens of Brown Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, who are engaged in rural pursuits and who believe in following twentieth-century methods, is Elmer B. Arbuckle, farmer and stock raiser. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the community. Such people are welcomed anywhere, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields; they have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Bishop Whipple to write the memorable line “Westward the course of empire takes its way.”
The subject of this sketch was born in Indianapolis, this state, on March 13, 1875, being the son of Marion and Eliza (Halloway) Arbuckle, the former of whom was also a Hoosier by birth and was the son of John and Elizabeth Arbuckle. Eliza Holloway was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Holloway and was united in marriage with Marion Arbuckle on December 10, 1871. They took up their residence in Indianapolis, where they continued to live for some time, when they came to Hendricks County and purchased a small tract of thirteen acres in Brown Township. There Marion Arbuckle passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring on December 2, 1879. Mrs. Eliza Arbuckle is still living, residing in Lebanon, Indiana, where she owns her home and lives in comfort. She also possesses a tract of some sixty acres in this county, it being just across the highway from the holdings of the subject of this sketch. Marion Arbuckle was one of the patriotic sons of the Union who went to the front during the dark days of the sixties, having been a member of the Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Elmer B. Arbuckle was one of a family of three children and remained at home until the time of his marriage, November 26, 1898, to Naomi Huddleston, daughter of Fielding and Elizabeth (Patterson) Huddleston, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, the son of William and Susan (Phillips) Huddleston. The family were prominent in their community, being prosperous slave holders, with a large plantation. Fielding Huddleston came to Indiana when he was about thirty years old and located in Hendricks County, where he purchased land in the northwestern part of Lincoln Township. Elizabeth Patterson, mother of Mrs. Elmer B. Arbuckle, was a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (McDaniel) Patterson and the mother of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle have two children living and one, Annis Hester, died when eight years old. Clarence William and Edith Irene are the two remaining, both of whom are with the parents. Mr. Arbuckle has associated with him his son, now twelve years of age, and, despite his extreme youth, the lad shows remarkable intelligence in acquiring information regarding the origin, care, etc., of the different classes of high-grade live stock on the farm, giving particular attention to the hogs. Mr. Arbuckle makes a specialty of spotted Poland China hogs and exhibits at all the state fairs in the Central West and East. He comes in contact and competition with the very best breeders of this class of live stock and prides himself on the fact that he always gets a generous share of the ribbons. He has the distinction of being the originator of the improved spotted Poland China breed and was instrumental in having a history of the hog written, which proves interesting to the layman as well as fancier. In this history the hog was traced to its origin and developments and improvements noted from time to time. Mr. Arbuckle also has a thoroughbred Percheron stallion, but has not had him on exhibit for about three years. He is also interested in poultry, having many fine birds and specializing on single comb buff Orpingtons. These he exhibits at all the big poultry shows of the world and has an enviable record for his pens. Mr. Arbuckle has attained merited distinction in his chosen field of endeavor, due in no small measure to his excellent business ability and the untiring energy and unfailing determination to win out. He stands today well to the front of those engaged in this class of work and has in training his capable young son, who is in a fair way to accomplish still greater things.
Mr. Arbuckle's fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men, and in the workings of these various societies he takes an interest. Whiel not a member of any church society, his sympathies are with the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Arbuckle is an active member. In every avenue of life's activities he has perfomed his part to the best of his ability, believing that anything worth doing at all is worth doing well, the result being that he has won and retains to a notable degree the sincere respect and confidence of all who know him. He has a vast number of acquaintances, among whom are many loyal, stanch and devoted friends, and wherever he goes he receives a hearty welcome. His life has been filled with activity and usefulness, while his sincere interest in the moral and material welfare of the community has gained for him a conspicuous place among the leading men of the county. Because of his high personal character and his genuine worth as a man and a citizen, he is specifically entitled to mention in a work of this character.