Biography of Elihu U. Ocker, pages 692 / 693.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Elihu U. Ocker, deceased, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 25, 1825, 
a son of David and Elizabeth (Underwood) Ocker, his father of German and his 
mother of English descent.  He received a practical education in the common 
schools, residing on the farm with his parents till manhood.  In 1837 his 
parents moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Wilmington Township.  
He worked as a farm hand in the summer and taught school in the winter till 
after his marriage, and then settled on a farm in Wilmington Township, 
remaining there three years when he was burned out, and then moved to his 
own farm where he lived till 1864.  In his early life he studied medicine 
and acquired a thorough knowledge of the profession, although he never put 
it to practical use.  He was a township official nearly eighteen years, 
serving as Assessor and Land Appraiser.  He sold his farm in 1864 and moved 
to Butler, where he resided till his death.  In 1867-’68 he was engaged in 
the mercantile trade. He was married in 1845 to Nancy A. Ball, of De Kalb 
County.  To them were born seven children; six lived till maturity---John 
William, David H., Abraham, Stephen L., James M., Ollie M.  One died in 
infancy.  John W. enlisted in Company H, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry, 
and died while in the service in 1865.  Mr. Ocker was a member of the Odd 
Fellows’ order, both subordinate lodge and encampment, and was Deputy 
Grand Master of the latter.  He represented Butler Lodge, No. 282, in the 
Grand Lodge of Indiana five times, and was well and favorably known by the 
Odd Fellows of the State.  His death was sudden and without warning, 
falling dead on the street June 24, 1882.  His wife died April 30, 1872.  
They were exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was 
for many years a class-leader and Sunday-school Superintendent.  In his 
political views he was an uncompromising Republican.

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