Edward Vetter, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Edward Vetter
EDWARD VETTER. One of the self-made and successful men of Porter county is Edward Vetter, a prominent farmer and stockman in Liberty township. He is a direct descendant of German forebears. In presenting a brief sketch of his life in this volume several purposes obtain: To give due recognition to a citizen of worth and high standing; to set forth a life story that tells of the steady and patient pursuits of a definite aim in life and of the success that almost invariably rewards such perseverance and industry; and to recognize further the force for good which the German-American citizen is acknowledged to have been in all our great lines of activity since the beginning of our nation.
Mr. Vetter is a native of Wisconsin, where he was born February 12, 1862. His parents, Fraughgot Vetter and Christina (Shmert) Vetter, were both born in Germany, were reared in their native land and there became acquainted with each other. Both immigrated to the United States and met again in Wisconsin, where they were married. Fraughgot Vetter became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wisconsin and followed the occupation of farming until his death. His wife is still living and resides in the state that has now been her home for more than fifty years. To these parents were born nine children, five of whom are living (1912): Gustus, a resident of Wisconsin; Bertha, now Mrs. Ferdinand Rudolph, of Farmington, Wisconsin; Lena, who is the widow of Nels Olson and resides in Iowa; Charles, unmarried and a resident of Liberty township; and Edward, of this review.
From his childhood until sixteen years of age Edward Vetter remained on the home farm near Port Washington, Wisconsin, and attended school some during the earlier years of his youth. At the age of seventeen he began life on his own responsibility, working as a lumberman in the woods of Wisconsin. For six years he was thus employed during the winters and worked in the Wisconsin harvest fields during the summers. By industry, frugality and good business discernment he saved his earnings and invested in land in Wisconsin, which he sold or traded and then reinvested, thus adding to his capital not only the wages of his labor but the money which his money earned. Later he came to Chicago and for about eight years he worked in the construction of tunnels in that city. In 1897 he came to Porter county, Indiana, and purchased the seventy-six acres in Liberty township which is his present comfortable farmstead. Besides this he also owns forty acres in Jackson township. Mr. Vetter has recently erected a large and commodious barn upon his premises, the dimensions being thirty by fifty-four feet, with a concrete base and sixteen foot posts. He keeps his beautiful country residence painted and in repair, and the premises bespeak a careful and methodical proprietor. He can store forty-five tons of hay in his large barn and can house twenty-six head of cows and five head of horses. He is one of the leading dairymen of Liberty township and his wife's butter commands the price of thirty-five cents per pound the year around, while he sells his cream at one dollar per gallon. The pretty homestead is known as "The Brookside Farm," located in Liberty township. All these possessions represent wholly his own accomplishment, for he began without capital save a pair of industrious hands, a willingness to do, and another valuable asset-sound business judgment. He has had difficulties to overcome and discouragements to face, for he has lost funds through bank failures, but undaunted he has forged steadily ahead toward success. He has given his attention to both general farming and stock-raising and has followed each line of industry with profit.
In 1893 Mr. Vetter married Mrs. Christina Christison, nee Nelson, the widow of Hans Christison. Mr. and Mrs. Vetter have no children, but by her former marriage Mrs. Vetter has a son, Hans, who resides with our subject, and a daughter, Mary Anna, now of Chicago. Mr. Vetter gives his allegiance to the Republican party but has never taken an active part in political affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. In personality Mr. Vetter is affable and genial, qualities that render him a pleasant associate to all with whom he has business or social relations, and as a citizen his worth and integrity are unquestioned.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 855-856
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook