Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 219-221.

AMOS GEHRETT.

Wells County is characterized by her full share of the honest pioneer element who have done so much for the development of the county and the establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well-favored section. A great work was accomplished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Admit that as a rule, but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendant possibilities that rested upon their shoulders; grant it that their lives, in most instances, were somewhat narrow and that they realized but little the great results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their own hands, as it were, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, acomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors. A few of these honored old pioneers are yet living in the midst of the scenes of some of heir former labors and are today enjoying the richly-merited honors and material rewards which have come to them as the result of their former endeavors. Among this class may be properly included the gentleman whose name forms the caption to these paragraphs.

Amos GEHRETT is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Berks county, that state, in 1822. His father, Henry GEHRETT, was also a native of the same state and was immediately descended from Revolutionary ancestry, the subject's paternal grandfather and two of the latter's brothers having given up their lives on the altar of their country's independence. Henry GEHRETT grew to manhood in his native county and was there married to Miss Susan Feon. For some time after his marriage he remained there and pursued the occupation of farming. Subsequently he removed with his family to Fairfield county, Ohio, and there also engaged in the same occupation. He spent the most of his life there, but his last days were spent in Wells County, Indiana, where he made his home with his children, his wife having died during their residence in Ohio. They were the parents of thirteen children, briefly mentioned as follows: Benjamin, deceased; Lydia, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased; Peter, deceased; Samuel died while in the military service of his country; Amos, the subject; Sarah, the widow of Jacob Warner; Susan, the widow of William Kirkwood; Deborah, deceased; Henry and Rosetta, twins, of whom Henry is a resident of Ohio, and Rosetta is the wife of Reuben Stout, of Wells county; a son who died in infancy.

Amos GEHRETT did not receive very liberal educational advantages in his youth, but attended the public schools whenever it was possible for him to do so and at length became fairly proficient in the common branches. As soon as he was old enough he commenced working for his father on the Ohio farm and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, receiving for his labor his board, clothing, etc. About 1844 he came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on eighty acres of land comprising part of the farm which he still occupies, his father having entered the land some time previously. His material resources at this time were quite limited, possessing very little besides a cow and a horse. He made his own bedstead and such other furniture as was absolutely necessary with which to engage in housekeeping. However he was not at all discouraged, but, filled with ambition and energy, he at once went to work to create for himself a home. He at first erected a small log cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet in size, and the same season planted five acres of ground to corn. He worked for others whenever he could find work to do in order to obtain money and was also employed in the construction of the first railroad surveyed through the county. Meantime his spare time was steadily occupied in the task of clearing his land, which was eventually accomplished, and then, as rapidly as opportunity offered and he had the means, he purchased other tracts. His first additional purchase was one hundred and sixty acres of timber land. He and his son cleared a part of this tract and he then disposed of it and bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he gave to his son, Henry. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of the John Warner estate and also eighty acres of the Jacob Warner estate and forty acres belonging to his son, Henry. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in one body and also another tract of forty acres, all being considered fine farming land. With the exception of eight hundred dollars which he received from his father's estate, all his property has been acquired as the result of his own industry and unremitting toil. He has carried on a general line of farming, and has also been engaged largely in the raising and selling of live stock, which has been, under his able management, a profitable source of income. He breeds a general line of cattle, but gives special attention to Poland China hogs. He has been an indefatigable worker during all the years of his residence in this county, and his labor has been commensurately rewarded. He has, by a course of right living and strict attention to the ethics of life, won the warm esteem and high regard of his numerous acquaintances and few men in his locality have a larger circle of friends than he.

In 1844 Mr. Gehrett was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hufford, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Hufford, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1823, also in Berks county, and was brought by her parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, where she formed an acquaintance with the subject, an acquaintance which resulted in their marriage. They became the parents of one child, Henry S., who died on the 3rd of March, 1894, aged forty-seven years, seven months and five days. He married Elizabeth Keller and to their union were born three children, as follows: Sarah Alice died June 9, 1892; Hugh L. died March 17, 1894; Amos died March 16, 1873. The subject has now no children or grandchildren living.

Religiously the subject and his wife have been for a number of years earnest and faithful members of the German Baptist church. Politically Mr. Gehrett is affiliated with the Democratic party and votes that ticket on national elections, though in local elections he votes for the best man for the office, irrespective of party lines. He has never been an aspirant for office, though soon after he came to Wells County he served for three years in the position of trustee and has also served two terms as supervisor. All movements having for their object the advancement of the public welfare have always received his cordial endorsement and his influence has been potent for good in the community. A volume purporting to contain a record of the lives of the representative citizens of the county would be incomplete were there failure to mention Mr. Gehrett.