Marcus Aurelius Gavitt

    Marcus Aurelius Gavitt was born in Madison, Indiana, June 27, 1824, son of M. A. and Elizabeth (Handy) Gavitt. He was brought up in the city, and attended the Presbyterian Sabbath school. About all of his scholastic education was obtained there. His father was of French origin; his mother was a Pennsylvania Dutch woman.

    His father died in 1842, at the age of forty-four years. His mother died in 1835, at thirty-seven years of age. When only ten years of age he commenced to make his own living. His first venture was driving oxen. The next he apprenticed himself to learn the confectionery and bakery business in 1837, at which he continued for five years.

    In 1842 he went into a dry good and grocery house as a clerk, and remained one year. The he hired himself as a teamster, and drove a team for six years for one man. In 1849 he commenced driving a dray on his own account, and continued this for one year.

    In 1856 was elected City Marshal on the Democratic ticket, and served one year. In 1857 was appointed on the police force of the city, and continued in that place until 1861; was then appointed City Marshal, to fill a vacancy caused by the Marshal, Mr. John Gerber, volunteering as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Served as a Marshal for three months, when he resigned to join the army himself.

    In 1861 he went into the 24th Indiana Infantry Volunteers, and was soon after commissioned Quartermaster of the regiment. Served until May, 1864, when he resigned his commission; coming home entered the auctioneering business, which he has constantly engaged in ever since, excepting the years 1875 and 1876, when he was Sheriff of Jefferson County. He was elected on the Democratic ticket; at that time the Republican majority in the county was 450 -his majority was sixty-six.

    Mr. Gavitt was married in 1849 to Miss Clara Denning, of Jefferson County. she died in 1856, leaving two children -Julia and Howard. He married again in 1857, to Miss Emeline Vorhees, who died in November, 1888, leaving two children -Clara and Ida. Clara is married to John Vogelsang, and lives in Chicago. All of his children are still living.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.