Henry Hovarter ¹

  General Notes:

Henry Hovarter grew to manhood in DeKalb Co., IN, attended the public schools there, and was married in October, 1858. On April 6, 1859 he moved to a farm in Salem Township. He bought 160 acres and in 1878 improved it with a fine brick home and put up a good barn in 1881. He lived a life of great industry and good purpose and died May 15, 1901. In politics he was a democrat, and was very active in the United Brethren Church, the Pleasant Ridge Church of that denomination stood on his land.

According to family sources, the bricks that were used to build their home were made on their property.



Henry's obituary taken from the May 19,1901 Steuben Republican newspaper (Angola, IN, Steuben Co.)

Henry Hovarter was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 24 November 1835 and died 15 May 1901 aged 65 years, 5 mos., 21 days. He was married October 26, 1858 to Catherine Hartman, and to this union were born 5 sons: Isaiah, William, John, Ira and Emanuel, who with his companion survive him.

Mr. Hovarter was a man of worth to the church and the community and his principles and convictions were backed by his money, for at no time did he say, "I am a United Brethren," and then close his purse to the needs of the church. He could not bear a sham, and a profession on the part of anyone that was not followed with good works, was for him sufficient cause to part company. For over 50 years he gave testimony in honor of Jesus and under the labors of Rev. C.E. Mason, constructed a beautiful house of worship on his farm from with the funeral services being conducted by his Pastor, Rev. H.C. Foote.

Henry married Catherine Hartman, daughter of Leonard Hartman , Jr. and Maria L. Mertz, on 26 Oct 1858 in Dekalb County, Indiana, USA. (Catherine Hartman was born on 22 May 1841 in Massilion, Wayne County, Ohio, USA, died on 12 Aug 1930 in Burr Oak, Branch County, Michigan, USA and was buried on 13 Aug 1930 in Fairfield Cemetery, Fairfield Center, Dekalb County, Indiana, USA.)