Wert - Asher
Source: AW Bowen History of Montgomery Co Indiana p 939
This is an age in which the farmer stands preeminently above any other class as a producer of wealth, and there is a rapidly growing sentiment among the dwellers of the great cities that the rural districts are the best, being most desirable from a number of standpoints, the principal one being health of both body and mind, for without that nothing else matters very much; so they are going back to the soil in ever-increasing numbers, for there they not only find a greater independence but really have more of the good things of life.
The farmer does not have to put forth such strenuous efforts to feed himself and his family. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright, life-giving sunshine, the refreshing rains, and handling nature's gifts rightly, reaps the rewards that always come to patient, persistent toil.
One of this number is Asher WERT, who has spent his life in Montgomery County successfully engaged in general agricultural and stock raising pursuits, having ranked for many decades among the leaders in these lines of endeavor and owning one of the choicest farms in Union Twp., just outside of the city limits of Crawfordsville in which city he now lives, practically retired from the active duties of life.
Mr. WERT was born March 10, 1844 near Alamo, Montgomery Co. He was the son of Richard and Amanda (COMPTON) Wert, an honored old couple who came to this locality when it was practically a wilderness and here became comfortably established by their industry. They have both been long deceased.
Asher Wert grew to manhood on the home farm and he received such education as the early schools of those times afforded. He began life for himself when young as a farmer, and, working hard and being economical, he soon had a start and eventually became one of the substantial and prosperous men of his township, becoming the owner of 243 acres of fine and valuable farming land just outside of Crawfordsville and this he placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation.
In connection with general farming he always made the raising and preparing of livestock for the market a specialty, and he has long been considered one of the best judges of livestock, especially cattle in Montgomery County, and he is still engaged in buying and selling cattle and feeding them for the market. He has also long been one of the largest hog raisers in the County. No small portion of his comfortable competency has been realized out of livestock.
In 1900 he gave up active farming and moved into the city of Crawfordsville and built the present beautiful home at 509 E. Market St. It is attractive from an architectural stand point and is modernly appointed and neatly furnished throughout.
Politically, Mr. Wert is a democrat and has been more or less active in local party affairs, and was for 8 years road supervisor. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias; and he holds to Quakerism in his religious belief. He is Treasurer of the Montgomery Co. Agricultural Society, and has done much toward its success, taking an active and intelligent interest in the same.
Mr. Wert was married Oct 21, 1875 to Angeline HANKINS, who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio July 3, 1848. She is a daughter of John L. and Orpha H (HANCOCK) Hankins. The father was a native of Ohio and mother born in Ky. They came to Montgomery Co in 1873, locating near Alamo where they became very well established through their close application and economy and were highly respected by their neighbors. They are both now deceased. There, on the old homestead, Mrs. Wert grew to womanhood and received her education in the common schools.
The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of two children: Rose Lee WERT, now wife of John B. LINE, of Crawfordsville and Pearl Oral WERT, who died in infancy.
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Source: 1913 AW Bowen History of Montgomery County, Indiana p 896
One of the best known and deservedly popular men in Montgomery County is Capt. Martin V. WERT the presentable and public spirited Mayor of the City of Crawfordsville, in which position he is doing much for the permanent good of the city and showing the people that he is a man of progressive ideas, broad minded and energetic for the general weal.
He is by nature and training a military man, and his record as a soldier is indeed an enviable one. He is a born leader of men and has stamped the impression of his strong personality on all that he has met. And yet with all his indomitable courage, diplomacy, progressiveness and widespread popularity he is entirely unassuming and a recognized friend of the common people, yet reserving a proper dignity, as becomes a man of his type, so that he is highly esteemed by all who know him.
He is a business man of more than ordinary ability, and ranks among the most substantial and representative citizens of his city and County.
Capt. Wert was b. in Fountain Co, IN on a farm, July 17, 1841 and is a son of Henry and Isabelle Wert, one of the honored old families of this section of the great Wabash Country. Our subject was reared on the home farm and there assisted with the general work when a boy. During the winter months he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and was graduated from the Fountain County HS in 1860.
The war of the states coming on, Mr. Wert could not stand idly by and see the old flag insulted, so on Oct 1, 1861 he enlisted in Co. B., 10th Indiana volunteer Infantry and he served with much credit and distinction during the rest of the war, having charge at one time of a squad from his regiment that was detailed to guard trains and cotton. This required skill and tact and was very dangerous. He took part in numerous important campaigns and battles, and was twice wounded, once at Mill Springs, and also at the great battle of Chickamauga. On Sept 5, 1864, he was transferred to Co. B., 58th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and he continued serving faithfully with this regiment until honorable discharged on Nov 1, 1864.
After his career in the army he returned home and learned the carpenter’s trade, and in the year 1870 he came to Crawfordsville and engaged in the contracting business, meeting with much success from the first. This has continued to be his chief life work, and his business has increased with the advancing years until he has become one of the financially strong men of the city and has accumulated considerable valuable property.
Capt. Wert was elected, in Aug 1887, first Lt. of Company D., 1st Regiment Indiana National Guard and was very active in this Company for 3 years. Then upon the transferring of the Company to the 2nd Regiment and assignment to Company I, he was elected Captain of Co M., 2nd Regiment Indiana National Guard in recognition of his earnest work in the military affairs of the state. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish American War, this Company started to the front, but the regiment of which it was a part was discharged on April 26, 1898. Capt. Wert is still very active in military affairs. He was one of the leading spirits in the making of the history of the old 10th Regiment, which was 1st published a number of years ago.
Politically, the Capt. has also been prominent for years, always active in the ranks of the Republican party. He was twice elected a member of the city council, and in 1910 was elected Mayor of Crawfordsville the duties of which important office he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, and he is still incumbent of this office. He is a man of progressive ideas, and stands for law enforcement at all times, and he insists on those under him obeying the laws to the letter.
Capt. Wert was married in 1868 to Adeline ASTON of Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of John B. and Ann (COATS) Aston . The father was a farmer and lived all his life in Hamilton Co Ohio. Our subject and wife have two children, namely: Albert E., an architect living in NY City; Arthur B. a contractor living in Crawfordsville. Both these sons are very successful in their chosen fields of endeavor. - transcribed by kbz