| Notes |
- History of Hancock County, Indiana, From Its Earliest Settlement by the "Pale Face," in 1818, Down to 1882, p. 368
Andrew T. Hart, senior member of the mercantile firm of Hart & Thayer, of this city, a native of the "Ancient Dominion," was born July 7, 1811. His father, a son of Erin, was a soldier under General St. Clair at the time of his memorable defeat, near the head-waters of the Wabash, in 1791. Andrew T. Hart, while a boy, endured the privations of pioneer life in his native State. At the age of eleven he removed from the home of his earlier youth to Centerville, Wayne county, where he attended such public and private schools as the country then afforded, and acquired a common English education. His opportunities, however, were limited, and the success that has attended his career has been mainly the result of his own exertions, and it may be properly said that he is the architect of his own fortune. At the age of eighteen, he was apprenticed as a saddler with his brother, James B. Hart, of Liberty, Indiana, which trade he faithfully followed for three years, or until 1833, when he removed to Greenfield, where he has since resided. He at once opened a grocer' store, in which business he continued for two years; then as a clerk for Nicholas & McCarty for one year, followed by a mercantile partnership with Nathan Crawford for two years, when he purchased Crawford's interest, and has continued in the same business ever since, alone and otherwise. Mr. H. has filled a number of positions of public trust, and always with honor. In 1839 he was appointed agent of Indiana for the distribution of surplus revenue. He was the first treasurer elected in Hancock county, the prior treasurers being appointed by the commissioners. This was in 1841. In 1843 he was re-elected, and served for six consecutive years. In 1869 he was commissioned by Salmon P. Chase as U. S. assistant assessor for this county. Mr. H. has been prominently connected with almost all public enterprises in the county during his residence therein. In 1878 he was President of the Hancock Agricultural Society. He become a Mason in 1859, and an Odd Fellow in 1865. In religion he is of orthodox faith. In politics he was first a Whig, and since a Republican. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Louisa Forelander, in June, 1835, who lived but two years. In November, 1838, he was married to Miss Gabriella Sebastian, daughter of William and Elizabeth Sebastian. Mr. Hart has had five children. William E. was a soldier in the 18th Indiana Volunteers, and served for three years. After his discharge he joined and served in Capt. A. K. Branham's company of State troops in the pursuit of John Morgan, in his celebrated raid in Indiana and Ohio, and was killed in that unfortunate disaster at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1863. Mr. H. is a man much respected and highly esteemed by all who know him. He is of genial nature, kind and hospitable. steadfast in his friendship, and upright in his dealings, and by his good qualities of head and heart has endeared himself to every citizen of the county.
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1811 - 1888 (77 years)
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