Lawrence Township (part 3 of 3)

While a resident of Pennsylvania he married a Miss Byarts. There were several children by that union among whom was John, the father of John T. Burkett. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1809. He came West with his father's family, and re sided in Posey county, lud., until he became of age, when he came to Mt. Carmel, and here married Miss Julia A. Sharp, daughter of Luke Sharp, who emigrated from Shelby ville, Ky., to Gibson county, Ind., and from there came to Mt. Carmel. Mr. Burkett and his wife removed to Gibson county, Ind., and lived in that and Posey counties the remainder of their lives. There were four children born to them John T., our subject, is the youngest and only survivor of the family. He was born in Gibson county, Ind , Sept. 5, 1840, was raised on the farm, and received a good common-school education. At the age of twelve years he commenced clerking for the firm of Martin & Sharp in McLeansboro, Illinois, and subsequently engaged in the same business in Mt. Carmel. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. H, 136th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and remained with the re giment until his term of enlistment expired, when he returned to, his home, and soon after went to New Harmony, Ind., and engaged in sawing and shipping walnut lumber. Three years later he returned to Mt. Carmel, and opened a clothing store, which business he followed for three years. In December, 1872, he received the appointment of deputy sheriff, and served until 1876, when he received the nomination by the democratic party of sheriff, and was elected ; served two years; then s< rved as deputy county clerk, and in 1880 was elected circuit clerk. At the present time he is in that official position.

He has also been twice elected alderman of the city of Mt. Carmel. He is a member of the order G. A. R On the 6th of June, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Miry G., daughter ofGeo. W.and Mary (Walker) Wheeler, of New Harmony, Ind. Mrs. Burkett is a native of Posey county, Ind. By that union there were two children. Harry, the only son, is still living ; Bertie in West Prussia, near Justrow, Sept. llth, 1828. He is the son of Lud wig and Reneta (Schroader) Kamp. He received a good education in the excellent schools of his native country. In March, 1848, he left Prussia and emigrated to the United States. He landed in New York and from there went to Philadelphia, where he worked at the trade of cabinet making. He stayed in the latter place eleven months, then came west to Cincinnati, then to St. Louis, and traveled over the west, visiting the different places. In 1851 he returned to Philadelphia and remained there nearly one year, at which time his parents came over from Germany. In September, 1852, he came west the second time, and with the family stopped in Evansville, Indiana. His father bought a farm in Vanderberg county, and Louis stayed with him four years, then went west again, working at milling and millwrighting. Returning to Vanderberg county, in 1857, he worked at different occupations until 1860, when he bought a farm and built a shop, and followed the business of machinist. His shop was located on the banks of the Ohio river. He remained in this business until 1879, when b e came to Mt. Carmel and purchased the Mock Flouring Mill, and here he has carried on the milling business to the present. A view of the mill may be seen by reference to another page of this work.

Both of Mr. Kamp's parents died in Vauderberg county. There were six sons and one daughter in the family, all of whom are yet living, except Robert, who was a soldier in the late war and was a member of Co. K of the 32d regiment Indiana volunteers. He was wounded in one of the battles, from which he never fully recovered, and died in London, Tenn., in 1863. Berthold, another brother, was also a member of the same company and regiment, and remained in the service three years. During the war, Mr. Kamp, the subject of this sketch, was a member of the Indiana legion, which was organized for border defence. He was second lieutenant in the company.