Oliver - David T.
David
T. OLIVER
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, pp451-452
DAVID T. OLIVER, a business man of wide experience, and an influential and esteemed citizen of Yeddo, is one of the leading merchants of this part of Fountain County. He comes of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section, and was born on his father's old homestead in Richland Township, November 22, 1837. He is a son of John L. Oliver, who was born in North Carolina. His father's father was a Quaker, who came to this country with William Penn. The father of John L. was Ahijah Oliver. John Oliver grew to maturity in the state of his nativity, and during the War of 1812 was a soldier under Gen. Jackson. He was a young man when he migrated to Clinton County, Ohio, and settled near Wilmington, where he engaged in farming until 1827, when he came to this state, and was one of the first to take up Government land in Richland Township. In the busy years that followed he reclaimed a goodly farm of two hundred and twenty acres from the virgin soil, and he and his wife died in the comfortable home which rewarded their united labors. They were laid to rest by loving hands in the Cemetery at Wingate. He was a devoted Christian, and the Wesleyan Methodist Church had in him a consistent member from first to last. His wife bore the maiden name of Annie Smith. She was English by descent and a Virginian by birth. Her parents were among the early settlers of Clinton County, Ohio, going from Virginia to their destination on pack-horses. John L. Oliver was the father of the following children: William M., who lives near Wingate; Ruth P., John F., Phebe A. and Jacob R. are deceased; Silas W. and D. T. The subject of this brief life-record was educated in the district schools of the county, acquiring sufficient learning to enable him to enter the teacher's profession. He made a most excellent teacher, engaging in that vocation winters and spending his summers in farm work. He finally abandoned teaching to adopt the mercantile business, establishing himself first at Wingate, whence he went two years later to Waynestown. He subsequently sold his stock of goods at that point that he might engage in the drug business at Hillsboro. Two years later he disposed of that and bought a general stock of goods in the same place, where he remained another year. The year after that he spent in Knox County, Ind. Returning to this county he took up his residence at Wallace, and was appointed Postmaster for that town, he having held the same position at Wingate. He lived at Wallace seven years, and his next move, which occurred in 1883, was to Yeddo, where he has been stationed ever since. He was Postmaster here from 1884 until September, 1886, and during the whole of his residence here he has been actively engaged in business as before noted. He has a commodious, well-arranged store, which is completely stocked with all kinds of merchandise generally found in such an establishment, and he enjoys an extensive and lucrative trade. Mr. Oliver was married in 1872 to Miss Kate Pevler, in whom he has found a true wife. She is a daughter of Leonard Pevler, a farmer, residing near Hillsboro, who is an honored veteran of two wars, the Mexican and the late Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have had the following children: Alpha and Carrie, who died in infancy; Mabel, who is twelve years old, and Arthur, who is five years old. Mr. Oliver is a thoughtful, intelligent, well-read man, with strong convictions of his own on all subjects with which he is conversant. He believes in the divine right of religious freedom, and in the teachings of the Bible as a guide thereto, and does not hold to creeds or sects. He is a strictly temperate man in his habits, and carries his principles into his politics, being an ardent advocate of the Prohibition party. He is now filling his first term as Justice of the Peace, and discharges the duties appertaining to his office with characteristic fidelity, and with the wisdom and impartiality that win confidence in all who have dealings with him as a conservator of law and order. - transcribed by kbz