Biography of David W. Ocker, pages 691 / 692.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

David W. Ocker was born in Wilmington Township, De Kalb Co., Ind., Feb. 15, 
1849, a son of Elihu U. and Nancy A. (Ball) Ocker.  He received the 
advantages of the common school, remaining with his parents till fifteen 
years of age.  In October, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-eighth 
Indiana Infantry, and was soon after transferred to Company H, One Hundred 
and Fifty-second Indiana Infantry.  He served with the Western Division of 
the army, and was discharged at Indianapolis in August 1865.   After his 
return home he attended school in the winter three years.  In 1869 he began 
working at the plasterer’s trade, and served an apprenticeship of two years.  
He then worked at his trade in the summer and on the railroad in the winter 
till 1873.  From 1873 till 1879 he was employed as brakeman and conductor on 
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad.  In 1880 he moved to Garrett 
and took charge of Sargeant’s Hotel till August, 1881, when he went to 
Butler and bought the Commercial House, which he sold in February, 1882, 
and went West on a prospecting tour.  Upon his return he again assumed the 
charge of Sargeant’s Hotel, and in January, 1883, took the De Kalb House.  
He is genial and accommodating, and well calculated to succeed in the hotel 
business.  He was married April 1, 1872, to Belle M., daughter of W. E. and 
E. J. Sargeant, of Butler, Ind.  They have two children---Jessie D. and 
Edna M.  Mr. Ocker is a member of Garrett Lodge, No. 537, F. & A.M., 
William Hecker Chapter, No. 65, R.A.M., and Butler Lodge, No. 182, I.O.O.F.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com