Wayne County IN Archives Biographies.....Kepler, Andrew Thomas May 12, 1821 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Glapha Cox rcoxfam@earthlink.net January 16, 2006, 7:32 pm Author: History of Wayne County, Indiana;Volume II, (1884) Clay Township p. 388 & 389 Andrew Thomas Kepler, youngest son of Peter and Elizabeth (Shafer) Kepler, was born May 12, 1821, in Wayne County. When he attained his majority he purchased 196 acres where he now resides. In 1866 he purchased the Green's Fork grist and saw mills, which he operated in connection with his farming pursuits until1868. He then sold the mill, but the parties failing to keep their contract, he took charge of it in 1870, and in 1873 again sold it. In 1876 he again became sole owner, and has since operated the mills. The first grist- mill on the present site was erected in 1859-'60, by Samuel Boyd. It was destroyed by fire, and re-built by Mr. Kepler in 1878, at a cost of $7,500. He has all the modern machinery for manufacturing the new process flour, and is now doing a large custom business, also owning a fine farm and first-class residence. He was married Jan. 28, 1848, to Mary, daughter of John and Mary (Savage) Fertich, natives of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. They moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1832, where the father died, aged seventy-one years. Mrs. Fertich is living, in her eighty-fourth year. Mr. and Mrs. Kepler have two children---Amanda E., wife of Levi C. Waltz, of Wayne County, and Charles B., of Wayne. Mr. Kepler is a member of the German Lutheran church, and his wife belongs to the Disciples church. Mr. Kepler's ancestors were originally from Germany. His parents were born in Maryland, and settled in Wayne County, Ind., in 1820, and his father rented a mill, which he operated one year. The next year he purchased the farm now owned by Alonzo Kepler, where he resided from 1821 until his death, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife died in 1834, aged fifty years. They had five children---John, Peter, Andrew T., .Margaret (deceased), and Catherine. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/wayne/bios/kepler149gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 2.5 Kb