Lehr - Tilman Joseph - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.  Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p 405.

Tilman Joseph LEHR, a retired brickmaker who has made a success of his business and is now enjoying the fruits of his past labor was born in Lehigh Co, PA May 9, 1831. His parents were John J. and Susanna CARKER (sic -- Carter?) Lehr, both natives of Pa.  When TJ was 3, they moved to Wooster, Ohio.  HIs father was a weaver of fancy materials. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1891.  In 1851 Tilman J. Lehr came to Ft. Wayne and soon after took up his trade by making brick, beinning business for himself in 1865 and coming to Crawfordsville in 1868. While in Ft. Wayne he had taken a contracdt to make brick for the mIchigan ity State Prison and burned the brick at that place, getting out some 12 or 13 millions.  But becoming acquainted with Richard Epperson, Supt. of the prison at Michigan City, he was induced to come here and after one season as Supt. for VO Irwin, entered into business for himself, soon becoming Mr. Irwin's partner, and continuing with him for about six years.  Since then he has conducted his business alone.  Mr. Lehr's yards are located one mile east of Crawfordsville.  He has been in the place last mentioned 3 years, making from 1 million to one million 500,000 per year.  He has had a very satisfactory business and has gained a competence which does away with the necessity for work.  For 3 years he has been retired from business and enjoying the quiet and comfort of home life.  He has a fine residence at the eastern limits of the city on E. Main St, near Vandalia depot.  It is pleasantly located and the house is large and well furnished, making a very pleasant home.  April 10, 1866 at Ft. Wayne, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lehr and Miss Anna Belle Britcher, of Ft. Wayne.  The lady was born at Canton, Ohio; her father was a pattern maker, whose name was Edward B. Britcher. Their family consists of one adopted daughter, Hattie, now Mrs. Perry Hill, her husband being in the sawmill business near Lisbon, Indiana.  Her family name is Beatty but she has always been the same as an own daughter. Mr. Lehr is a Democrat but not a politician.  Since his retirement he has preferred to lead an unobtrusive life.  Doing for many years an extensive contracting business, which taxed his powers as such a business msut always do, he has earned the right to take life easy and make the most of the fruits of his own industry and good management.  Mrs. lehr is a member of the Christian church and worthy helpmate for her husband.  Mr. Lehr is a Master Mason, having been made such in this city.  He is also a Chapter member. These facts in themselves speak well for him, as the vows of the great fraternity of Masons call for an upright, honorable life, and one who is true to them cannot be otherwise than a wrothy man.  Mr. Lehr has always striven to do his duty in every department of life, thus being able to take his life honestly in the society to which he belongs, and on an upper plane in the community in which he resides.  Mr. Lehr is not typically a "Hoosier" but he is a man whom it is pleasant to meet and who proves himself an agreeable companion.