Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 6-24-1899 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the family residence on East Main Street occurred the death of Tilman J. Lehr. He had been in poor health for several years but it has been only in the past few weeks that he was confined to his room. Tilman Joseph Lehr, a retired brick maker, who made a success of his business was born in Lehigh Co PA May 9, 1831. His parents were John J. and Susannah (Carker) Lehr, both natives of PA. When T.J. was 3 they moved to Wooster, Ohio. His father was a weaver of fancy materials. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1891. In 1851 Tilman J. Lehr came to Ft. Wayne and soon after took up his trade of making brick, beginning for himself in 1865 and coming to Crawfordsville in 1868. While in Ft. Wayne he had taken a contract to make brick for the Michigan City state prison and burned the brick at that place, getting out some 12 or 13 million. But becoming acquainted with Richard Epperson, superintendent of the prison at Michigan City he was inducted to come here and after one season as superintendent for V.Q. Irwin, entered entered into business for himself, soon becoming Mr. Irwin's partner and continuing with him about six years After that he conducted his business alone. April 10, 1866, at Ft. Wayne, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lehr and Miss Ann Bell Britcher of Ft. Wayne. The lady was born at Canton, Ohio. Her father was a pattern maker whose name was Edward H. Britcher. Their family consists of one adopted daughter, Hattie now Mrs. Perry Hill. Her family name is Beatty. She has always been the same as an own daughter. Mr. Lehr was a democrat, but not a politician. After his retirement he preferred to lead an unobtrusive life. Doing for many years as extensive contracting business, which taxed his powers as such a business must always do, he earned the right to take life easy and make the most of the fruits of his own industry and good management. Mr. Lehr was a Master Mason, having been made such in this city. He was also a chapter member. These facts in themselves speak well for him, as the vows of the great fraternity of Masons call for an upright, honorable life and one who is true to them cannot be otherwise than a worthy man. Mr. Lehr always strove to do his duty in every department of life, thus being able to take his place honestly in the society to which he belonged and on an upper plane in the community in which he resided. Mr. Lehr was not typically a "Hoosier" but he was a man whom it was pleasant to meet and who proved himself as agreeable compnion. The funeral will take place from the residence in Englewood Sunday after at 3 under the auspieces of the Masonic Lodge. The interment will occur at Oak Hill. The funeral services will be conducted by Dr. Tharp and the following gentlemen will act as pallbearers: Henry Wasson; D.H. Rooch; T.D. Brown/ Z.M. Ball; J.D. Tracy and Ben Williams. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- File Created: 21 August 2010