CAPT. MARTIN TRESTER, farmer, Washington Township, is a native of Kentucky, born near Millersburgh, May 27, 1806. His parents were of German extraction and were born in Pennsylvania. His father, William, was born near Northumberland in 1761; mother, Elizabeth (HESLER)TRESTER, in 1764. The father was a farmer and mill-wright. He died in Kentucky in 1814. The mother with nine sons and one daughter, moved to Dearborn County in 1815. She invested the family fund in land and put the boys to work, cleared up the land, and raised the family successfully to economy and industry. Before her death, which occurred in 1838, she saw her family all comfortably situated in life. Capt. TRESTER was married September 26, 1833, to Marry Ann WINKLEY, who was born April 6, 1815. Eight children resulted: Emma M., Oliver H., Lewis M., ALbert E., Milton L., Mary J., James M., Ella F. Oliver H. enlisted as a private soldier in the Third Indiana Cavalry for three years, and was killed at Antietam, September 14, 1862. ALbert E. was in the Sixteenth Infantry under Gen. Hackelman, served one year, then enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry and served one year after the war closed under Gen. Custer. Milton L., was in the 100 days' service as a private soldier. In 1826 Capt. TRESTER began flat-boating as a hand. In 1828 he branched out in the same business for himself and continued for fifteen years. The balance of his life has been spent upon the farm. He was commander of the militia for years, and when the Black Hawk war caused a draft to be made, nearly all of his soldiers were cripples. One of the company offered the Captain a farm if he would not draft him. Peace being declared, all became exempt, and happiness reigned supreme in the militia camp. Captain TRESTER was elected school trustee for many years. When the township had three trustees he served as one for eight or ten years; he assessed the township ten years in succession; afterward served as school director for six years. The Captain cleared up his farm, and in early life built a good brick house to raise his family in. He has lived to see them all grown and comfortably settled in life. Now the old people are left alone, with a big house and no family except two grandchildren they have kindly taken to raise. ALthough well advanced in years, they have lost but little of the vigor and vivacity of their younger days, neither have they forgotten the sports of their youth. The Presbyterian Church is the society of their faith. Politically Capt. TRESTER has been a Republican since the war, before he was a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Gen. Andrew Jackson. Mrs. TRESTER was born within a mile of her present home April 6, 1815, and has always lived within the locality. Her parents settled on Holman's Ridge, south of Aurora, in 1813. Her father died in 1833, her mother in 1857. They had four children, viz.: William, Joseph W., John L and Mary Ann.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
BENJAMIN F. TRESTER, JR., architect, contractor and builder, shop corner of Main and Mill Streets, Aurora, is a native of Washington Township, Dearborn County, born May 7, 1847. He is a graduate of the high school. His father, Edward H., was born in Kentucky October 24, 1815. His mother, Sarah (GREEN) TRESTER, was born in Dearborn County October 21, 1881. Benjamin F. farmed up to 1866, at which time he commenced his trade. He located in Aurora in 1873, and was married July 30, of that year, to Miss Hannah A. WINKLEY, a native of Dearborn County, born January 20, 1854. Mr. TRESTER was elected to the council from the THird Ward May 3, 1882, and re-elected May 7, 1884. He belongs to I.O.O.F. and encampment, to the K. of P., K. of H., and the Presbyterian Church.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
LEVI P. TRESTER, foreman woodworker Ohio & Mississippi Shops, Cochran, is a native of Dearborn County, and was born May 22, 1832. In his boyhood the country was new and he only received a limited schooling. His father, Samuel TRESTER, was born in Kentucky in 1808. The mother, Sophia (BRIDDLE), was a native of Maryland. She died in 1849. Levi learned the carpenter trade in 1854. He was married August 17, 1857, to Miss Virginia CHRISTIAN, a native of Virginia. She was born May 7, 1838. Unto them were given two children: Nettie and Arka. In 1869 Mr. TRESTER abandoned the carpenter business and accepted a position in the Ohio & Mississippi Shops as machine hand. In 1874 was promoted to foreman of shops (known as saw shops). In 1862 hi patriotic heart became fired and he flew to his country's rescue, by enlisting in Company E, Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry, and served faithfully for three years. He is a member of Aurora lodge No.51 F. & A.M., also Aurora Chapter No. 13.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp