Randolph  County,  Indiana

Wert  McAllister


             When one farms with the care and discretion, the persistence and the application which has characterized Wert McAllister, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of White River township, Randolph county, one is bound to succeed in any community much less in that of our own, which has been so signally favored by mother Nature; for he is a man who has used his mind as well as his muscle, ever keeping up with the advance of the science of husbandry. At the same time he has tried to be a good citizen in the broadest sense of the term, always advocating measures that were calculated to make for the general uplift of the county whose interests he has ever had so much at heart.
            Mr. McAllister was born June 7, 1867, in Perry township, Delaware county, Indiana. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah A. (Hiatt) McAllister. The father was also a native of Delaware county, Indiana, and spent his boyhood in the same township in which our subject was reared. The mother was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, her birth having occurred near the city of Dayton. Her parents came to Delaware county when she was but six years of age, and the parents of our subject were married in Delaware county, and there they spent the active years of their lives on a farm, on which the father died on November 3, 1890. The mother is still living, at an advanced age, making her home in the town of Windsor.
            Twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, and married, were born to Joseph McAllister and wife, namely: Emily A., now the wife of John Hawk, of Stoney Creek township, Randolph county; Marcus A., of West River township; Francis and Franklin, twins; the former lives in Delaware county, this state, and the latter in Union township, this county; Ella is the wife of Lynn Thornburg, of Stoney Creek township; Henry is deceased; Wert, of this review; Lillie Belle, now deceased, was the wife of Sumner Swingley; Cora, deceased, was the wife of  Thomas Reese; Nora is the wife of  Edward Gable, of White River township; Edward lives in Liberty township, Delaware county; Alma is the wife of  George Dill, also of Liberty township, Delaware county.
            In 1877 Joseph McAllister and wife moved from Perry township, Delaware county, to Stoney Creek township, Randolph county, where the family home has since remained. The father was a Democrat politically, but was never an office seeker.
            Wert McAllister was reared on the home farm and worked there when growing to manhood. He received his education in the district schools of his community remaining at home until his marriage, which took place on June 4, 1892, when he espoused Eva McGuire, a daughter of John H. and Sarah A. (Pursley) McGuire. The death of the mother occurred on October 4, 1900, but the father is living, making his home in the town of Farmland, Randolph county. He was formerly an extensive farmer and stock man. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time was elected county commissioner. He is also a veteran, of the Civil war.
            To our subject and wife have been born one son and one daughter, Chase, born November 3, 1894; and Letha May, born July 5, 1899. The son was graduated from the Lincoln high school in 1910, and the daughter is at present a student in the high school, and when she entered the high school from the eighth grade she had the highest grades of any pupil in the county. Mrs. McAllister received a good education herself and taught school for one year.
            After his marriage Mr. McAllister first settled in Perry township, Delaware county, Indiana, where he farmed two years, then moved to Maxville, Randolph county, and was superintendent of the cemetery for three years. He then moved to a farm of his father-in-law in Monroe township where he farmed for two years. He then moved to the farm of John Clayton, in White River township, and operated that for four years, then moved to a two hundred acre farm, also belonging to John Clayton, in White River township where he farmed four years. He then purchased eighty-eight acres in Monroe township, which he continued to own and manage for four years, then he rented his farm and moved to another of John Clayton's farms in White River township, of two hundred acres, and expanded his farming operations. He sold his own farm in 1912 and purchased his present farm of one hundred and ten acres in White River township, four miles west of Winchester on the Muncie road, known as the old Sample farm. He is bringing his place up to an excellent state of improvement and cultivation and he raises an excellent grade of live stock and is one of the most successful general farmers in the township.
            Politically Mr. McAllister is a Democrat, but he has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Farmland. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the family are regular attendants and liberal supporters.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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