J. C. Kegerreis

    J. C. Kegerreis, one of the active and enterprising citizens of Jackson Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Franklin County, the date of his birth being December 13, 1834. His parents, Thomas and Christina (Lamberson) Kegerreis, were both natives of the State of Pennsylvania.

    When our subject was a child of two years they removed to Richland County, Ohio, where they resided until 1846. In that year they came to Indian locating in Delaware County, where they were among the first settlers. Our subject grew to manhood in Delaware County, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer, receiving his education in the district schools.

    He was married January 28, 1858, to Miss Margaret A. Devoss, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and a daughter of Andrew and Matilda Devoss. Mr. Kegerreis lived in Delaware County until 1861, when he removed with his family to Bond County, Illinois. He subsequently returned to Delaware County, where he made his home until coming to Blackford County in 1879. He is now the owner of forty acres of the county's best soil, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is making a specialty of raising small fruits, in which he is meeting with good success, and has some of the best varieties to be found in the State. He has five varieties of currants, ten of raspberries, two of gooseberries, nine of strawberries, and also sells vines and bushes of the same.

    Mr. Kegerreis was bereaved by the death of his wife January 26, 1887. She was a loving wife and mother, and a devout Christina, being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the fifteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kegerreis thirteen yet survive -Hannah A., Henry L., Matilda C., Thomas A., Charles F., Ulysses G., Lulu V., Emma, Burt, Lotta, Jacob P., Arlie Ray and Ora Clyde. Samuel W. and an infant unnamed are deceased.

    In politics Mr. Kegerreis is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party. During the late war he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, the date of his enlistment being February 22, 1865. While in the service he served as First Sergeant, and received an honorable discharge in September, 1865, the war being over.

    He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and also belongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 106, at Hartford City. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as class-leader. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and during his residence in the county he has secured many friends by his cordial manners and genial disposition.

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