Havercamp - Lewis A.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke &
Fountain Co IN p 280
Lewis A. Havercamp is a well-known farmer and stock raiser of
Montgomery County, residing on Sec. 30, South Union Township,
where he has a good farm of 106 acres. He is a native of Ripley
County, this state and was born Nov. 2, 1856.
His father, William
H. Havercamp was born in Germany 1826. He grew to manhood in the
fatherland and served in the German army 4 years, in accordance
with the laws of the country. Shortly after his marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Millbrook he emigrated to America and at first rented a
farm in Ripley County, which he operated 4 years. At the end of
that time he removed to Cincinnati where he found employment in a
lumberyard. He subsequently returned to Indiana and resumed
farming, locating on a farm in Clay County. He was successful in
his vocation but finally lost a good deal of his property by
going security on a neighbor's note. His death occurred in 1881.
During his life he was a faithful member of the German Lutheran
Church and in politics was an old-time Democrat. He was the
father of 3 children: all of whom are still living: our subject:
Mary, wife of Henry Hildeman a farmer of Ripley County and John
William who has a livery business at Brazil, Clay County.
The
mother of our subject remarried, becoming the wife of Louis
Hildeman, and she is still living in Ripley County. The subject
of this biographical sketch was 5 years old when his father
settled in Clay Co, where he continued to live with his father
until 18. He then went to work for others by the month and was
thus employed 2 years. At the expiration of that time he went
into the lumber business which he carried on 7 or 8 years. In
1882 he came to Montgomery County, and located at New Market,
where he was in the lumber business two years and also worked at
carpentering. After that he lived on his farm for a year and then
resumed his trade as carpenter in New Market. Two years later he
returned to his farm, and has live don it ever since. His land is
well tilled, the buildings are substantially built and Mr.
Havercamp is doing well financially as a general farmer. He
belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Association, and, although
not desirous of political preferment, he conscientiously performs
his duty as a citizen and as a rule votes the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Havercamp was married June 7, 1884, to Miss Ida E. Davis.
Their pleasant wedded life brought to them 4 children: Merrill,
who was born Feb 25, 1885 and died the 7th of the following
March; Otto who was born on the 30th of March 1887; and Earl and
Bearl, twins; Mrs. Havercamp is a daughter of George S. Davis,
who was born in Shelby Co, Ky in the year 1818 and made his home
in his native State until 1843, when he came to Montgomery
County. After his marriage, in 1846, he located in Brown Twp,
where he followed the trade of blacksmith. He departed this life
Feb 14, 1890. He had been successful in business, was a good
citizen and an honored member of the Baptist Church. His wife,
whose maiden name was Nancy ELLIS, was a daughter of Thomas
Ellis, who was a native of Shelby Co, Ky and came to Indiana in
1833, settling upon a farm that he probably entered from the
Government. He was the father of 10 children, of whom Mrs.
Havercamp's mother was the sixth in order of birth. Mrs.
Havercamp herself is one of 5 children of whom 4 grew to maturity
and these 3 are still living: Tilman G, who resides at Waveland;
Mary J wife of RG Crist, who is in the hardware and implement
business at New Market and Mrs. Havercamp. The two deceased are
William Warren and Martha A, who was the wife of Edward
Lawrence. - typed by kbz