Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 143-144.

MRS. ELIZABETH GEHRETT.

Among the more prominent, refined and noble ladies of Bluffton and Wells County, Indiana, is Mrs. Elizabeth GEHRETT, who was born about fifty-two years ago in Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of David and Christina (Shaffer) Keller, natives of Germany. David and Christina Keller were both children when brought to America by their respective parents, who settled in Medina county, Ohio, in close proximity to each other, and there the two children grew to maturity together and in due time were united in marriage. David Keller engaged largely in farming and stock raising in Medina county, Ohio, was a quiet and unassuming gentleman, was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors, and passed the remainder of his life on his farm.

To David and Christina Keller were born eight children, of whom six are still living, two of the daughters being married to well-to-do farmers in Nottingham township, Wells County. Elizabeth, one of these six survivors, was reared on the home farm and in her girlhood days was familiar with the duties pertaining to a rural home. During the proper seasons of the year she was sent to the district school and, being bright and apt, easily acquired the knowledge with which her mind is so well stored today; later on she attended the normal school and was trained to the technicalities of teaching.

On coming from her native state to retells county, Indiana, to visit an elder sister in Nottingham township, Elizabeth Keller was employed for several terms as a school teacher and while thus engaged she formed the acquaintance of Henry S. Gehrett, a native of the township and a son of Amos GEHRETT. This acquaintanceship ripened into a warmer feeling and September 20, 1868, Henry S. Gehrett and Elizabeth Keller were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony.

Henry S. Gehrett was born in 1846 and was reared to farming and stock raising, but in early life he was given ample opportunity to attend the district schools during the winter seasons and thus secured a very fair education. On reaching his majority he engaged in agriculture on his own account and farmed on a very extensive scale and also raised great numbers of cattle and other live stock. He was a man of true worth and honesty and was ever recognized as one of the best citizens of Wells County.

In 1889 Henry S. Gehrett withdrew from farming and took up his residence in Bluffton and engaged in the livery business, in which he continued the remainder of his life, dying March 31, 1894. Although not a member of any church, Mr. Gehrett was a liberal contributor to all the congregations in his neighborhood and was himself a strictly moral man, being guided in all his acts by the sublime lesson inculcated by the Master in his Sermon on the Mount and familiarly designated as the Golden Rule. In politics Mr. Gehrett was a Democrat and was active in the interests of his party, but preferred to devote his attention to his private affairs and the interests of his family.

To Henry S. and Elizabeth (Shaffer) GEHRETT were born three children, viz: Sarah A., deceased; Amos S. and Hugh L., also deceased. The departure of these children leaves Mrs. Gehrett somewhat forlorn in the decline of life, but she possesses excellent business qualifications and ably manages her farm of two hundred and forty acres, eighty acres of which reach the incorporated town of Bluffton and one hundred and sixty acres a little further away in Nottingham township. The residence of Mrs. Gehrett, however, is on East Market street, Bluffton, where she has a beautiful home.

Mrs. Gehrett is a lady of culture and refinement and is held in high esteem by the entire population of Harrison township as well as Bluffton.