His father, David Fawcett, though of English descent, was a native of Virginia, having been born in Augusta County, near the Natural Bridge.

While a boy, Mr. Fawcett attended when opportunity permitted, the district schools, but his education is chiefly the result of individual effort, since arriving at the age of maturity, aided doubtless, by the character of the work in which his ambition led him to engage. Incapacitated, by the loss of his arm from pursuing a line of business – that of practical mechanic – which he preferred, he turned his attention, in 1853, to school-teaching and continued in this laudable vocation until 1862, in which year he was chosen Surveyor of Carroll County. To this latter position he was re-elected four successive terms, serving in all, eight years – from 1862 to 1870.

In the meanwhile and in connection with his duties as County Surveyor, the people attested their confidence in Mr. Fawcett by imposing on him the additional duties of School Examiner of Carroll County, this latter term of service running a period of five years – from 1865 to 1870. Again in 1870, he is the successful recipient of the suffrages of the people in his election as a candidate of the Democratic party to the office of Recorder of Carroll County. Two official terms, from 1871 to 1879, in the position consumed eight more years of his life.

During his incumbency of the Recorder’s office he prepared an abstract of the titles of real estate in Carroll County, and since 1879, has been mainly engaged in his business as abstractor. In the meantime, however he has lent valuable assistance to the advancement of two public enterprises. As President of the association having in charge its construction he materially aided in pushing to a rapid completion the magnificent new Odd Fellows building. As engineer and Superintendent of several gravel roads being made in the county he has been instrumental in furthering these much-needed improvements.

He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Delphi Lodge), having connected himself with that society in 1866, and having, in the course of his membership, filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge of that order.

In politics, he is a conservative Democrat, never actively participating in political labor. It is due to him to say that, whenever a candidate for office, his majority has always been greater than the average party majority.

In religion, he is a member of the Christian Church.

On the 20^th of July, 1856, he married Miss Mary Howland, the daughter of a veteran school teacher from Orange County, N.Y., and a teacher herself. Miss Howland, although born in Paterson, N. J., subsequently came to Logansport, Ind., with her father and received her education in her father’s school. Four Children – David A., Eva, John and Emma – have been born to them. Mrs. Fawcett is a member of the Christian Church, and an active member of the order of Daughters of Rebekah. She is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and a bright and affable member of society.

The best testimonial to Mr. Fawcett’s social and business standing in this community is the fact of his long and successful official life. His excellent qualities were recognized and repeatedly rewarded by the people, and he never betrayed their confidence or abused the trusts which were placed in his keeping. There is no other man in this community more thoroughly respected, more orderly or more law-abiding than is the subject of this sketch.

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net