Biography Index Main Page
Joseph V. Poer,
a representative farmer of Hanover Township, was born in Cass County, Michigan, April 19, 1846, and is the youngest son of four children born to General Lee and Rebecca (Vanbuskirk) Poer, natives of North Carolina, and of Irish-German descent. The parents of Mr. Poer settled in Henry County, Indiana, about 1834 or 1835, and there resided until 1839, when they removed to Michigan, and in that State the mother of our subject died in the early part of 1847, and his father died in the same State June 6, 1853. After the death of our subject's parents, he lived for six years with his maternal grandfather, in Tipton County, Indiana, and subsequently he lived with other relatives until he had reached the age of seventeen years; in the meantime, however, he had received his education at the district schools. September 10, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteers, and continued in the service of his country until January 6, 1886 [1866?-pmf], when he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He was wounded at the battle of Nashville, December 16, 1865, and while crossing the plains of Texas, in July of the same year, he received a sunstroke which affected his vision. At the close of the war he returned to Shelby County, Ind., and in partnership with his brother Edward, purchased a small farm in Union Township. Three years later he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the same township. Mr. Poer now owns 200 acres of land in Hanover Township, which he purchased in 1881, and where he now resides. In 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Georgie E., daughter of James and Lydia (Smith) Spurrier. Mrs. Poer was born February 20, 1851. To the above marriage were born these children: Robert L., born Decebmer 16, 1871; Irena, born October 2, 1873 (and died October 3, 1877); J. Claudius, born March 31, 1876; Chauncy C. and David E. (twins), born October 2, 1878, and Jacob E., born February 16, 1880. Mr. Poer is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. The success attained by our subject is indebted to his own energy, faithful toil and strict economy. Biography Index Main Page