John R. Gettys

    John R. Gettys is a native of Blackford County, Indiana, born October 12, 1838, a son of Joseph Gettys, one of the old and respected pioneers of the county, and a grandson of Joseph Gettys, Sr., who was a soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph Gettys, the father of our subject, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, of Scotch and Irish ancestry. He was reared in his native State, and when a young man removed to Ohio. He was married January 9, 1837, to Miss Maria McMillan, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1817, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Baxter) McMillan, and to them were born four children -John R., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., wife of Dr. Wheeler; Joseph Cyrus, deceased, and Melissa, also deceased. The father came to Blackford County in 1837, when he took up a claim, and in 1838 entered the same from the Government, and commenced life here right in the woods, experiencing many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life.

    John R. Gettys, whose name heads this sketch, was born and reared on the old homestead farm in Blackford County, receiving such education as the pioneer schools of the county afforded. He was united in marriage April 23, 1863, to Miss Annie C. Wooster, a native of Fayette County, Indiana, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Burdrant) Wooster. They are the parents of four children -Maria Isabelle, wife of Henry Daugherty; Emma V., wife of Alonzo Williams; Sylvester P. and Mary Susan.

    Mr. Getty's occupies a fine farm of 139 acres, in Licking Township, eighty acres of the same being entered from the Government by this father. He has some three acres set out in small fruits of the latest and best varieties, which he disposes of principally in the city of Hartford.

    In politics Mr. Gettys affiliates with the Prohibitionist party, and is one of the most respected citizens of Blackford County. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.