Neave Township

Neave Township

This township was organized on the 5th of December. 1821. and at that date contained eight sections, in what is now Van Buren Township, making it eight miles east and west and four miles north and south. All of Neave Township lyingin Range 3 was taken, in June, 1838, to form the township above named, and so the present dimensions were reached.

The pioneer settler in the lands now constituting Neave Township was Andrew Noftsinger. who came to Darke Count}' in 1810. Sometime about 1817, he built a grist-mill on Mud Creek, below the outlet of the lake, where later stood the mill of Dr. Otwell. In the order of construction, this was the third mill built in the county. At the old post, known as Fort Jefferson, James Hayes was one of the earliest settlers. John Ryerson moved in in 1810. ami during the two vears following, settlement was made in the township by Moses Arnold, George W. Hight. William Townsend, Hezekiah Veitz. John Puterbaugh and Christian Schlechty.

Dennis Hart, of Connecticut, located on Bridge Creek, in the fall of 1819, on the lands of George, W X. Wright, near the farm now owned by A. IT. Vandyke. During the year 1820, the neighbors built a log sclioolhou.se. on the Greenville and Eaton road, cast of the present residence of A. H. Vandyke, on the land then owned by Joseph Townsend. In this house. Mr. Hart taught during the winter of 1820-21. Mr. Hart died at the ripe age of eighty-four years. He was known as an honorable and worthy townsman.

Peter Weaver came from Butler County. Ohio, to this township in 181!> ; here purchased land, cleared him a farm, and year after year has found him living upon it. till 1880. He built the first house in Weavers Station, named after him. and since grown into a thriving little town. On his first arrival, he found here a block house, situated about one-fourth of a mile north of where Mount Zion Church now stands. This rude pioneer fort was built by Mr. Nbftsinger, of whom we have spoken. It is claimed by some that this same man built the first cabin in the county. It was located on Mud Creek, about one-half a mile south of Mr. Weaver's cabin, as early as 1816. Its structure was unique and commensurate with the ability of the builders. It consisted of forks set in the ground, upon which poles were placed, and covered with clapboards.

In 1819. John Puterbaugh built a mill, whose motive power was found in oxen. It stood about two and a half miles southeast of Mr. Weaver's land. This improvement dispensed with water-power, and motion was communicated to the buhrs by cog-wheel connection with an upright shaft, which was turned by attaching oxen to transverse levers, passing through it. When the inflow of settlers and the organization of the county into townships set in operation a system by means of which public improvements could be made, numerous roads were laid, and took up a sinuous course around obstructions, and in close proximity to settlers' doors. Sparse settlements caused the formation of districts extensive in area and meager in population.

Mr. Weaver went six miles to the first bridge that was erected across the mouth of Mud Creek, to work out his road tax. As an illustration of the manner of procedure, it is said that settlers were accustomed to work during the winter clearing a patch of ground. This was planted to corn in the spring, and in the fall it was sown to wheat or other winter grain.

When the settler wanted groceries, he went into the woods and cut a load of hoop-poles, and took them for sale to Martinsburg. Coonskins and hoop-poles were Darke County currency in those days. All the cabins, single and double, were built of logs, with puncheon-logs split and hewed on one side for floors ; greased paper took the place of glass, and wood latch and string were the pioneer's substitute for door-knob and bell. At this time there were only two cabins between what is now Louisburg and Matchett's Corner, and only one little cabin between Weaver's and Fort Jefferson. Deer, turkeys, bear and other animals abounded, and furnished meat supply to the table. Mr. Weaver himself killed about one hundred deer, two bears, and very many turkeys. As is the case with all old sportsmen, Mr. Weaver enjoys a relation of early experiences, and tells the following concerning a bear-hunt in which he was engaged.

It so happened that he had loaned his gun to some boys of the neighborhood, to kill squirrels, and after hunting nearly till night the dogs struck the trail of a bear, which they followed rapidly, and soon drove the animal to seek refuge in a tree.

It was near where Mr. Weaver chanced to be, and. hearing an outcry, he went to the spot and found several of the settlers already standing around the tree, endeavoring to get a good position for an effective shot, Weaver took his gun from one of I he number, and soon after delivered his fire at the bear. But the load did not even cause the animal to change position. A neighbor then fired, and struck a leg, upon which the bear scrambled down, and set off up the banks of the creek, followed pell-mell in hot pursuit by all the men and dogs. One only remained behind of the men. Weaver stopped to put a heavy charge in his gun, and had just completed the act and was about to set forward when down the creek he saw men. dogs and bear coming bark with as great celerity as they had departed, only the conditions were reversed, and instead of many for the one, it was one for the many. Weaver waited till the bear was within ten feet of him, when he fired with fatal effect.

George Noggle and T. C. Neave, William and Simeon Chapman and Adam Belles were all of that class known as early settlers in this township. It is said that, when this township was organized, a game of cards was played by H. D. Williams and John Douglass on the one side, against Easton Morris and T. C. Neave on the other, to determine who should have the honor of giving to it a name. The first party won, and they two playing again between themselves, the game was won by Williains, but Neave was so anxious to name the township, that he paid Williams $10 for the privilege, and then named it after himself. Fort Jefferson, built by the soldiers of St. Clair, in 1791, was the first structure erected by white people in the county. There is much of real interest connected with this old post which should be gleaned and placed on record.

There are a number of churches in the township, among which are a Methodist and a Union Church at Fort Jefferson, a United Brethren near Weaver's Station, and a church at Sampson. The village of Fort Jefferson was laid out in 1818, and Sampson in 1816. There are about fifty miles of road, much of which is piked. The population in 1870, of Neave Township, was 1,093.

In June, 1838. Van Buren Township was organized, and named after the President then in office. James Grower, an early settler and a present pioneer of ninetythree years, was the "moving spirit" in its formation, which was not accomplished without much opposition and difficult}-, and this now aged man was he who gave the township its name. It was taken from the south end of Adams and the east end of Neave, and contained all of Township 8 north Range -1 east, that is in this county, and all of Township 9 north. Range 3 east, except Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are included in Greenville Township. In June, 1839, Franklin Township was formed, containing all of Van Buren east of a line running north from the southwest corner of Section 36. Township 9 north Range 3. The township, as now constituted, contains t wenty-six sections. The surface is extremely level and the soil excels in fertility, being of alluvial formation, with good body to it. In years past, from one to five feet of water covered most of the surface, during half the year. Now, by an artificial S3'stem of drainage, it has been reclaimed to the uses of civilization, and is producing a hundred fold. The eastern part of the township is not so well advanced in improvement as is the rest, from the fact that its lands were, for man}T years, held mostly by speculators, who would not or at least did not either dispose of or improve it. There are no considerable water-courses in the township, the channels by which its surface is drained being small tributaries to Greenville and Panther Creeks. An extensive moraine passes from north to south through it, along the track of which are found an abundance of bowlders, many of which are of remarkable size, being from ten to twelve feet in diameter. Some gravel beds have been deposited on its surface, which afford convenient and valuable material for the improvement of public highways. The roads are mostly in good condition, the larger proportion of them being piked. Some of these, however, from much travel and heavy hauling, are well-nigh worn out, and need considerable repairs. The staple products are corn and wheat, the soil being admirably adapted to the cultivation of the former grain. Barley, oats, rye and tobacco are raised to a considerable extent. The entire township is thoroughly agricultural, and in 1870 contained a population of 1,212, a small part of whom were colored and some foreigners. A few settlements were made within the present limits of the township before the close of the lirst quarter of a century, but improvements were slowly made, and for many years the clearings formed a small part of the area of the lands, owing to the wet. swampy condition of the country. Just who was the first settler and when he moved in, cannot be known with precision. There were probably no settlers in Van Buren Township previous to 1818, about which time several men built them cabins within its present limits. .Samuel Pearce, Samuel .Martin and Elias Burt were probably the first to erect houses in Van Buren, in about 1818. Eli Townsend and Jacob Sebring followed soon after. In the spring of 1820, came John Charkwith. and settled in the extreme southwest corner of the township. He was born in New Jersey, and came to this part of Darke County from Montgomery. Isaac Byers, who was the first Justice of the Peace, moved up from Preble County the same spring ; a Virginian by birth, he yet preferred this section to his native State. His widow still survives. James Gregory settled, about this time or perhaps a year or so sooner, on lands he afterward sold to Benjamin Roe, and now owned by William Shields. David and William Byers. brothers to Isaac, came soon after he had got located. Richard and James Gower moved, in 1826, into the extreme north part of the township, where they were among the first settlers. John Fourman entered land in the southeast part of the township. Mordecai Ford, who was the first Clerk in Van Buren. was, also, a pioneer. Jacob Potoff, at Nineveh, was an early settler at that point, and is remembered to have built the first blacksmith-shop in the township. Several others are deserving of mention in this connection, as pioneers of Van Buren. but authentic accounts of them have not been gained. The first election of the township was held in the smithery of Potoff, at Nineveh, at which time there were about forty or fifty votes cast. Improvements progressed quite slowly for some time, the characteristic pioneer cabin prevailing for many years. Finally, these began to give way to the more pretentious frame buildings, and occasionally a brick residence made its appearance. The first two of the last-named were built by John Fourman and John Walker. At the present day, there are many fine frame dwellings and substantial brick residences in the township.

There being no water-power facilities of any consequence, manufacturing industries developed slowly. The first mill of any kind in Van Buren was an old " flutter-wheel " saw-mill built by John Fourman, on Panther Creek. This establishment furnished lumber for a large tract of country for a considerable period, some of the buildings in the extreme southern part of the county having been furnished with lumber from this mill. The second mill of this kind was erected near Jaysville, by Messrs. Kilbourne and Jay. There are now four saw-mills in the township, with capacities ranging from three to six thousand feet per day. These represent the manufacturing interests of Van Buren.

Schools began in a small, crude way. about a half-century ago. and have steadily advanced to their present nourishing condition. There is a great contrast between the pioneer log houses and their rude belongings, as compared with the newest structures. Then a single small rude house stood on the land of William Townsend, and within was Mordecai Ford, well skilled to rule and ferule. Now there are eightsubstantial brick buildings, having ten rooms, and requiring the employment of eight teachers. School statistics for the year ending August 31, 1879, are as follows: Amount paid teachers, $1,906.20; expense of sites and buiidngs, $2,143.14 ; incidental expenses, $499.97, and the entire expenditure! was $4,549.31. There were eight gentlemen and live ladies, or a total of thirteen teachers employed, at wages averaging, for males. *:',!», and for females, $20 ; 212 boys, lsn girls, or a total of 392 pupils attended the schools ; the average monthly enrollment was. of boys, 161 ; of girls. 139 ; total. 300. Daily attendance of boys, 114 : of girls. 99 ; total. 21:!.

pel into the forests of Van Buren. The pioneers of this sect were Revs. Sneithen, Ashley, Williams and Mordecai Ford. They erected their first church in 1851. at Delisle There are now three churches in the township. Two United Brethren and one Methodist. The former at Abbotsville, and the Methodist at Jaysville, were built about the same time, not far from 1850. The other United Brethren Church was built about 1868 or 1870, at Nineveh, and was called Keyler's Chapel, from the name of him who was the means of its construction.

There are but two cemeteries in the township, one of which, old and dilapidated, is now almost abandoned. The first was established nearly fifty years ago by the society of the Christian Church, and is known as the Abbottsville cemetery. The second was recently established under the auspices of the Township Trustees, and is located upon a fine tract of six acres, inclosed with a substantial board fence.

There are several small villages in the township, but the tendency was to farms exclusively. The proximity to Greenville and Arcanum to a great extent dispenses with the necessity of more than exist. The first regularly laid out town in the township was Abbottsville, deriving its name from its founder. Abbott. This center for a time made an advance which promised much to its anxious inhabitants , but it was a transient effort, and its existence is known only to the pages of history. The eager speculation of that day caused the platting of thousands of sites which showed in later years a few ominous-looking houses and straggling occupants and seeming mourners of a drifting center of settlement, and Abbott was one of those not favored. Storekeeping was first engaged in by George and William Falkners and in addition to the store, there, was a wagon and blacksmith shop. Delisle, now the only village regularly laid out in Van Buren Township, was platted under direction of the widow Fairchild in 1850. and a building for the purpose having been erected, the pioneer store in the place was opened by John Tillman and Jesse Lease. Aaron Vanatta was the first smith. The village, as at present constituted, contains a dry -goods and grocery store, a blacksmith and a wagon shop and sawmill. It is located on the Dayton & Union Railroad, which gave rise to the place.

Jaysville is a small hamlet on the same road, and is located about five miles south of Greenville. It contains a single store and a saw-mill. In the township, there are three post offices - one at Delisle, at Jaysville and at Poplar Ridge, in the northeast part of the township.

NOAH ARNOLD, farmer ; P. 0. Jaysville ; another of the few remaining early settlers of Darke Co. ; is the son of William Arnold, who was a brother of Moses, and was born in South Carolina, and came to Darke Co. in 1816 ; entered 332 acres in Sees. 11 and 32, of Greenville Township, which he improved and resided on for sixty years, and it is now the property of his children and still undivided. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren Co. Feb. 6, 1816, about six weeks before his parents came to Darke Co., and he has resided in this county ever since he first entered it, living on the farm continuously until he was 23 years of age ; then tried merchandising a short time, but not being pleased with the business, resumed farming, which he has continued ever since ; has been an enterprising and useful citizen ; was Justice of the Peace nine years, and has been a Notary Public for the past twenty years ; is still active in both public and private enterprises ; was one of the charter members of the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville, and is one of the present Board of Directors ; has charge of his father's old homestead, besides superintending his own homestead, which contains 240 acres in an advanced state of cultivation, with fine improvements ; he has acted on the maxim, " If a man would have a good home, let him have a good wife, for it is certain he has both." He was married in 1839 to Emily Stingley, daughter of George and Barbara Stingley, who were early settlers of German Township ; her death occurred in 1848 ; they had four children - Isaac N., Mary J., Effie A. and George ; Isaac was a soldier in the late war, and lost an arm at Atlanta ; has been in the employment of the Treasury Department at Washington for several years ; Mary J. is now the wife of H. N. Arnold, of Greenville ; Effie A. is now Mrs. L. E. Chenoweth, of Greenville, and George is married and a resident of Nebraska. Mr. Arnold was again married, April 11, 1850, to Martha (Larimore-Banfield) Bierly, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Martin) Larimore, who came from Pennsylvania in 1817, and settled in the Arnold neighborhood, and are now both deceased ; Martha was twice previously married ; her first husband. John Banfield, was killed by a falling tree, while both wei-e passing through the woods by a bridle-path during a storm ; she escaped unhurt, although the horse upon which she was mounted was quite severely injured. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have one child - Margaret E., now Mrs. William H. II. McCool, railroad agent and merchant at Jaysville.

GEORGE ARNOLD, retired farmer ; P. 0. Jaysville ; one of the oldest residents of Neave Township now living ; he was born in South Carolina in 1800, and was eighty years of age on the 1st day of March ; his fathers name was Moses, and he was a native of North Carolina, and a resident of South Carolina from the time of the Revolution until 1807 ; was married there to Rachel Lynch, and removed to Ohio, settling in Warren Co. ; in the fall of 1815 or spring of 1816, he came to Darke Co., prospecting, and selected a quarter-section in Sec. 1 3, which he entered, and in the fall of 1816, George, then a young lad, in company with his brothers Aaron and David, and in company with their oldest sister Lydia, who afterward became the wife of James Townsend, came to this land and erected three cabins, one for the father and one for each of the two older boys, who were both then manned ; this tract was divided between the father and two sons ; in the following spring, the father and David removed their families into the cabins.

708 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHESand began the work of making a home in this then wilderness, there being no house nearer than two miles, but plenty of Indians, and more wolves and bears and a few panthers : deer were then more plentiful and easier found than are squirrels now ; there was no road excepting the Milton road, via which they came, cutting their own road from that to their cabins ; it is difficult to imagine that such was the condition of this section within the life of one generation, and very few people have lived to see so great improvements as have been made within the lifetime of this venerable resident. George was married in Warren Co., Feb'. 26, 1820, to Mary Dines, daughter of Chambers and Millie (Cole) Dines ; she was born in Kentucky Nov. 4, 1800, and her parents removed to Warren Co. when she was quite young. Mr. and Mrs. George Arnold came to Dai-ke Co. soon after their marriage, and began life here in pioneer style ; they now reside in a brick dwelling, which stands in the same yard in which stood the cabin in which they first kept house ; they having passed through the hardships, toils and privations of pioneer life, and taken part in the improvements of the past half-century, during the latter half of which there has been a remarkably rapid development and improvement of the count}', both public and private. They have raised a family of five children, one son and four daughters, viz., Amelia (who is now Mrs. Michael Floyd, and resides in Kansas), Lydia (who is now Mrs. Henry Houk, and resides in Missouri), Rachel (now deceased, was Mrs. Jacob Shiverdecker, and resided in Darke Co.), Mary (also deceased, was the wife of Samuel Schlechty). John C. is the onby son ; was born in 1826, and grew to manhood here, during the days of hard work and little education. He was married in 1847, to Mary E.. daughter of William and Maria (Heath) Shepherd ; her mother, now a widow, resides in Twin Township. Mr. J. C. Arnold, with the exception of about five years, has always resided on the farm where he was born and now resides, and is now an old resident of Darke Co. ; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Arnold have a family of nine children - George W., Mary M., John H, Rachel J., Millie S., Winfield. Amanda B., Martha and Charles M. His aged parents also reside with them, and having served the world in their day and generation, now quietly await the call to the spirit land.

W. N. BROWN, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle. Another life resident of Darke Co. ; is a son of Caleb, and grandson of Phillip Brown ; Phillip was a native of Tennessee, and married into a family by the name of Schleigar, and was one of the first settlers of this neighborhood ; Caleb was then a boy ; after he grew up he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Xeal) Miller, residents of Union Co., Ind ; Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in Sec. 36 ; he was a leading and useful citizen ; his house, which was a hewn-log structure, was considered above the average, and was used for several years for church services ; he and his wife both lived to be nearly 90 years of age ; Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Brown resided on an 80-acre tract in the same section adjoining his father's ; his death occurred in 1876, he being 70 years of age ; his widow, now about 70, lives with her son at the old homestead. The subject of this sketch was born in 1839, on the farm where he now resides and has resided all his life ; he now has about 200 acres in Sec. 36, including both the tracts owned by his father and grandfather ; thus the memories and labors of two generations past cluster around this homestead. Mr. Brown was married in 1863, to Sarah Judy, daughter of David Judy ; her death occurred iu ] S 7 .' i : they bad two children, one living. Frank. Mr. Brown's marriage with Miss Elnora Bell Byers, was celebrated Dec. 6, 1870.

W. S. DUNN, farmer; P. 0. Jaysville ; is the son of Isaac and Julia A. (McGrew) Dunn ; he was ;i native of Kentucky, and of French descent; she was of Irish descent, and a native of Virginia ; they were married in Butler Co.. Ohio, and came to Darke Co. soon after the treaty of Fort Greenville, and were the first family that ventured into the wilderness west of Greenville after the war. Here the subject of this sketch was born in 1817, and here he lived until he was 16 years of age ; then his parents removed to Randolph Co., Ind. ; he remained with his parents until 21, then returned to Darke Co., and worked in the vicinity of about three years and partially learned the wagon-makers trade. Xbout ; S2 time a little incident occurred which was the occasion of his changing Ms home He was somewhat of a horse-trader, and made a trade with a Methodist meachei in which he was badly cheated, and the youngsters ot the neighborhood b\ red him so over being worsted by a preacher, that he straddled the horL and left that neighborhood: and never resided there afterward He finished MrapprenUeeship at wagon-making in Palestine and then went to Butler Co and was married there in 1855 to Matilda, daughter of Isaac and Marj Watson. Tfter his^arriage, Mr. Dunn resumed farming, and has continued farming ever since first reXg and. after five years he purchased a farm in Butler Co where he remained unU 1876. when he sold out in Butler Co. and purchased and removed tolC in Sec. 13, Neave Township, where he now ^resides W1th his on ^ son. who has charge of the farm. Mr. Dunn was one of a family oT twehe children Us T»rente came into the wilderness of Darke Co. poor, and he had to depend unon himself entirely, and has made his property by his own exertions and man- 2£"« »-ing received any legacy, except .about $800 ^ which his wife received from her parents. Her decease occurred in Butler Co. Nov. lb,m They had two children-one still-born, and the other a son Henry H. He was married to Susannah Young, of Preble Co., and now has charge ol the home and

HENRY CxEBHART, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; is a son ol Daniel and Margaret Oebhart, whose biography appears in connection ^J:**^J£?t subject of this sketch was born in 1837, on the farm, a part of which is his present home; he remained on the farm with his parents until about 25 years ot_ age , whUe visiting a cousin in Fountain Co., Ind, they took a notion to ^ethe^Wes^ rndwentfirrt to Kansas, then to the Black Hills region; also^sited drtnrt narts of Utah Idaho. Oregon, Montana, and returned to Darke Co. alter an evfntfu absence of nearly four years, well satisfied to live in Darke Co^ He was marr ed tf 1869, to Catherine Billman, daughter of John Billman, whose biog, rapliappears.in the Harrison Township list ; after their marriage, they rested atlhs old home, his father's death having occurred the same year; after Jhe farm was divided, he built on his portion, where he now resides ; he has 63 acres which he is improving and rapidly making into a pleasant home.

C B HARTMAN. farmer; P. 0. Weavers Station; a native ol Pennsylvania -' was born in Lancaster Co. in 1816 ; is the son of Christian and Ann Hartnan a descendant of the Hares, Brubakers and Kreiders, who were among the lery krifest settlers of that part of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm in Pennsylvania ; when about 22 years of age, he m comnanTwith four other young men, went West on a trip of adventure and sight- seeing ; ihey toveledover a large portion of the then Western country, saw the Indians m tto native wilds, came°near starvation on the sand plains, but returned to Pennsylvanmafter three years" wanderings, satisfied to live in the civilized portions ol our country; he came to Ohio in 1856; settled first in Montgomery Co.; came to Darke Co in 1865. just in time to take part in the public improvements which Z suddenly 'brought this county from the last to the first in the State in point ol hnproved highways. Mr. Hartman. though not a very old resident, takes a very Sve interest in public matters, especially politics ; he is an active and reliable Democrat and useful citizen. He was married in 1845, to Catherine Immel, a S of Pennsylvania ; they had three children-J. A., whose biography appears ?nthe mSson Township list, Franklin, of Montgomery Co.. and Louisa, now Mrs D A ucamp. of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Catherine Hartman's death occurred [n 1851 - his marriage with Catherine O'Donnel was celebrated in 1854 , she was i native of Ireland, and came to the United States when quite young ; they have nine cMMren-William, Caroline, Ella. Allen D.. Clement L. V., Kate. Christian B., George W. and Andrew J.

DAVID HEFFNER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Berks Co. in 1817 ; his father was a farmer, but David was made teamster as soon as he was old enough to hold the lines, and teamed, from the time he was 15 years of age, seventeen years. Jacob Heffner came to Darke Co., with his family, in 1849 ; David was then single, some called him a bachelor, and came with the family ; they settled in Neave Township on the farm where George D. Miller now resides. In 1850, David was united in marriage with Miss Ann, daughter of Jonathan, and sister of John Niswonger, whose biography appears in this work ; she was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822, and came with her parents to Darke Co., in 1829, and grew to womanhood here, in the days when

As a sample of woman's occupations in those days, Mrs. Heffner, while a girl at home, spun 1,500 cuts of yarn and wove 300 yards of cloth, from spring to winter, besides helping about the housework. Mr. and Mrs. Heffner have resided in this township ever since they first began housekeeping ; came to their present place, just north of Fort Jefferson, in 1872 ; they have two children, one son and one daughter - Jonathan and Sarah C, now Mrs. L. Wilt, of Butler Township.

JOHN KECKLER, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; is a Buckeye by birth ; was born in Fairfield Co. in 1826 ; was raised on a farm and learned the blacksmith's trade when grown, and worked at it several years ; came to Darke Co. in 1861 ; resided in Neave Township ; purchased the farm where he now resides in 1871. Nearly all the public improvements made in Darke Co. have been done since his residence here. Mr. Keckler is one of the substantial citizens, and has occupied several public positions of responsibility. His marriage with Catherine Friesner was celebrated in 1851 in Fairfield Co. ; they had three children - all now married ; two - Ephraim and Elizabeth - are residents of Darke Co. Mrs. Keckler's decease occurred in 1856. Mr. Keckler and Mrs. Julia A. (Dunaway) Reynolds were married in Allen Co., Ohio, May 26, 1859 ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1828 ; her marriage with Geo. Reynolds was celebrated in Wells Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1851 ; his death occurred in Allen Co., Ohio, in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Keckler have five children - Simon B., William H, John W., Emma and James W. ; all are still members of the family household.

JOHN LANDIS, farmer ; P. 0. Delisle ; an old resident of Darke Co. ; son of Jacob Landis, who settled in Darke Co. in 1828, on the farm where Joshua Townsend, whose biography appears in this work, now resides ; the old block-house, built there during the Indian difficulties, was still there in good condition, and John remembers sleeping in it repeatedly ; his father used it for a loom-house during the days of " home-spun " clothing. The subject of this sketch was born in Pickaway Co. in 1818; was married to Elizabeth Stutsman, of Montgomery Co., in 1844 ; after their marriage, he lived on his father's place, in Neave Township, until, in 1849, he purchased, and they removed to, the farm in Sec. 26, where they now reside ; thus it will be seen Mr. Landis has been a resident of Neave Township more than a half-century ; has witnessed and contributed his full share toward the improvement, public and private, moral as well as physical. Both he and his estimable wife are worthy members of the German Baptist Church ; also two of their grown children. They have eight children - David, a resident of Michigan ; Andrew, a resident of Greenville ; Lydia, now Mrs. A. Rodgers ; Abraham ; Mary, now Mrs. Harvey Shover ; Jacob ; Frances, now Mrs. Lewis Price, and John, Jr.

J. N. LOWRY, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Weavers Station; is a son of Reuben Lowry, who was one of the early settlers of Neave Township ; Reuben was always very fond of hunting, and, when game became scarce here, he became restless and went to Kansas, in 1861, and in 1865, removed there, and has resided there ever since. The subject of this sketch was born in 1843, and grew to manhood on the farm, and, when his father went to Kansas, he farmed the place, and, when his parents moved to Kansas, he purchased a portion of his father's land, including the homestead, and has resided here all his life; he now has 190 acres in the northeast part of the township, the undivided half of 150 acres near Ft. Jefferson, and 72 acres in Sec. 30, besides the homestead, which is in Sec. 31, and contains 96 acres ; besides superintending these farms, Mr. Lowry deals quite extensively in stock, and is the foremost man of his age in Neave Township, if not in the county ; he was married in 1865 to Miss Louisa, daughter of David Studabaker ; they have two children - Minnie and Harry E.

SAMUEL LUDY, farmer ; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; one of the old residents of Darke County ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1811 ; he remained at home on the farm during his minority, then came to Ohio, first stopping in Montgomery County, where he remained several years working by the job or month ; in the mean time visited Darke County, and entered an 80-acre tract of land in Butler Township. He was married to Elizabeth Miller in 1836 ; she was born in Pennsylvania ; is the daughter of William and Susannah Miller, who came from Franklin County, Penn., to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1829, and to Darke County in 1839 ; Mr. and Mrs. Ludy began domestic life in the spring of 1836, on the land he had entered in Butler Township, with very limited means, and had to struggle amid the difficulties common to the early settlers in this region ; after a residence of twenty-six years, they reluctantly parted with this home and removed to a farm in Sec. 4, which he purchased from her father ; they came to their present pleasant home in 1869 ; having been identified with the county from the days of pioneer life, through the tedious and toilsome days of progress and the burdensome period of modern improvements, which have brought this county so rapidly forward to the front rank in points of public enterprise and general productiveness ; they may justly feel a pride in enjoying, as they evidently do, the present comforts of a pleasant home, with pleasant surroundings ; they have been active, useful and respected people ; have raised a family of eleven children - Susan, William, Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Judy ; Maria, now Mrs. Daniel Burket ; Sarah, now Mrs. Jacob Nyswonger, a resident of Iowa ; James and Silas ; the last two and first are single, all the others are respected heads of families. The five oldest sons - William, Jacob, Samuel, Nathaniel and Nicholas - were soldiers in the late war, Jacob being a " veteran," having served four years, William three, and the others different shorter periods.

WILLIAM MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Delisle. Mr. Miller belongs to a pioneer family ; was born Nov. 29, 1837, on the farm upon which he now resides ; he is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Howell) Miller, and grandson of David and Catherine (Studabaker) Miller ; David Miller was a native of Bedford County, Penn., but emigrated to Ohio at an early day, locating for a short time in Clinton County, afterward in Miami County, and finally came to Darke County and located in Neave Township soon after the war of 1812. Samuel Miller was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 25, 1805 ; was a youth when his parents came to Darke County, and grew to manhood here in pioneer days ; married Miss Nancy, daughter of Joshua and Christena (Mikesell) Howell ; Joshua was a native of Virginia, and Nancy was born in Maryland ; they came to Darke Count}' about the year 1821, and he became a leading and influential citizen; was Sheriff and also Commissioner during his residence here ; both he and his wife lived to fourscore years, and resided in Michigan at the time of their decease ; after his marriage, Mr. Miller rented four years, then entered one quarter of Sec. 24, Neave Township, which was then all woods, and upon which he hurriedly built a cabin, into which he moved his family before it was " chinked," not waiting even to place a floor or hang a door ; the first night after their arrival, there was an addition of several kittens to their supply of domestic animals, but, it being a cold March night, the}r all froze, to the great grief of the children ; by perseverance and toil, amid privations and difficulties known only to the pioneer, he succeeded, by the assistance of his family in securing a home and adding 154 acres to the original tract ; in his later years, he retired from active labor, and the farm was carried on by his sons, under his supervision, he having raised a family of eleven children seven of whom are still living ; his death occurred Nov. 1, 1856 ; his widow is now the wife of William McCool, and resides in Delisle. William Miller remained on the old homestead until 1864, renting of his mother after his marriage with Miss Margaret M. Frye, which occurred Aug. 1, 1861 ; she is a daughter of Andrew and Rachael (Wilson) Frye, who resided near Fort Jefferson, and had a family of eleven children, only three of whom are now living. (See biography of H. W. Frye.) In the spring of 1864, Mr. Miller purchased 80 acres in Greenville Township, upon which he resided about four years, then sold it and removed to her father's place near Fort Jefferson ; six months later, he purchased 120 acres of the old homestead, including the residence, and again took up his abode on the spot where he was born and spent his youthful days. Mr. Miller has been School Director five years and Trustee ten years, a compliment to his judgment and to the interest he takes in education and the general welfare ; his home is a pleasant place, and his hospitality unbounded ; Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and a conscientious Christian woman. They are the parents of three children - Ollie R., born Sep. 1, 1863, now an interesting miss ; Charles A., May 4, 1866 ; and one who died in infancy. May both Mr. and Mrs. Miller live lon'oand enjoy much of the fruits of their labors, and hereafter reap a rich reward for their disinterested kindness and hospitality, conferred alike on friends and strangers, is the wish of the writer.

GEORGE D. MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Greenville Among the early pioneers of Darke Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is accorded a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio Nov 20, 1818, and is a son of George Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1817, and to Darke Co., in 1824, locating in Harrison Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred September, 1866 at the advanced age of 75 years. The subject of our sketch came to Darke Co. with his parents and is consequently among the oldest continued residents of the county he remained with his parents and assisted in agricultural pursuits until he attained his majority, when on account of ill health he abandoned farming, and the following fourteen years he devoted his attention to school teaching and studying ; in 1851 he resumed farming in Harrison Township, and on Dec. 22, 1865, he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived ; he has 250 acres of good land, under a good state of cultivation, with buildings second to none in the county ; o'f township and county offices, he has had his full share, having held the office of Township Assessor eight years, Township Clerk six years, Justice of the Peace nine years ; he was elected to the Constitutional Convention to represent the interest of Darke Co. in 1873, and in 1877 was elected County Commissioner, which office he now holds ; he has been continually in office since 1845 - which fact is a sufficient guarantee that his services have been alike satisfactory to the people and creditable to himself. His marriage with Elizabeth Rush was celebrated Augusl 1850 ; she was born in Darke Co. in 1825 ; they are the parents of four children now living, having lost one by death. The living are Emily, Minerva Jane, Henrv D. and \ olney ; Mrs. Miller was a daughter of Asa Rush, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co.

LYDIA MEYERS. Delisle ; widow of William H. Meyers (deceased) ; Mrs Meyers was born in Darke Co. in 1844; is the daughter of Henry and Rachel 111 man ; was married to William H. Meyers in 1865 ;^he was the son of Joseph and Lavina Meyers ; was born in Butler Co. in 1844 ; he began domestic life where the widow now resides, and has resided ever since, except 'about one year's residence in Twin Township. Mr. Meyers, during his short residence, contributed much toward the general improvement of the neighborhood, besides bearing his share of the burden of graveling the road ; he had just completed a neat and commodious dwelling when his death occurred, in 1877 ; he was Township Trustee several years, and was a respected, useful citizen ; they had two children - Edwin E. and Sylvester A. ttt ... _ .

JOHN E NORTH, farmer and teacher ; P. 0. Weavers fetation ; one ol the rising young men of Neave Township ; is a son of Allen and Mary A. (Fry) North ; \llen North (deceased) was a resident of Neave Township for many years, and Was a very active and successful citizen ; his father at one time owned a tract of land upon which a part of the city of Indianapolis now stands ; here Allen was born- his father died while he was yet a boy, and his mother married again ; through the intemperance of his stepfather, the family was made poor and Allen, though a vouth, was the main support of his mother for several years. At the time of his marriage, an old horse constituted his capital, at the time ol his death he had accumulated about $20,000 worth of property, mostly real estate, beside, a policy of $10 000 on his life ; the widow now resides at the old homestead, in Wc '76 The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township, in 1851, and <rrew to manhood on the farm, receiving an ordinary common-school education ; has tauo-ht district school winters for the past eight years, farming thrashing, etc -during the remainder of the year ; has been Township Assessor, and is the present Township Clerk. He was married in 1876 to Mary C, daughter of (xeorge Howes; they have one child - George Allen. _

JOHN NYSWONGER, farmer; P. O. Weavers Station; is a son ol Jonathan Nyswonger, who was born in Pennsylvania July 9, 1790 ; resided in Pennsylvania and came to Darke Co. at an early day ; both Jonathan and his father were soldiers in the war of 1812 ; John's mother, Elizabeth (Clarke) Nyswonger was a sister to the mother of J. N. Lowry, whose biography appears in this work, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. The subject of this sketch was born m Greene Co Penn Oct 3 1817; his father emigrated to Darke Co. in 1829, and John grew to manhood here during the early days of Neave Township ; he remembers well when he went to "Noffsinger's Mill," and waited his turn at the crank to bolt the family grist He was married in 1843, to Susannah Ault, a daughter of John \nlt who was a native of Pennsylvania, and an early settler of Darke Co. ; Mr. Nyswonger had purchased 40 acres of the farm where he now resides, made an - opening" and built a log house previous to his marriage; here they began domestic 'life and by perseverance, amid discouraging circumstances, they now have a pleasant home, around which cluster the memories of half a century ; he now has 101 acres in the home farm. 26 adjoining Ft. Jefferson, 90 in Iowa, and 160 in Missouri, and, although he is quite advanced in years, is still vigorous and actively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Nyswonger are the parents of eleven children ; three are deceased ; three sons, Hiram H, William K and Elijah, are in California ; Jacobis a resident of Iowa ; Rebecca is now Mrs. William Eubank, of Harrison Township ; three - Alfred, Addie and Susan E. are members ol the family

N L C PHILLIPS, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; the son ol Joseph Phillips, who is one of the few men who lived to see their fourscore years ; he is the son of John, Phillips who was born in Hamilton Co., and was a soldier in the wars ol 1791, 1793 and 1812 - he was one of those who was left behind to escort the provision supply and so escaped that terrible battle, Sinclair's defeat, in which all his comrades were slain, except two, and they were wounded. Joseph was raised on a farm and when about 19 years of age, went to the cabinet-makers trade, at which he served the usual three years' apprenticeship, but never followed the business or did much at it afterward ; he now has a clock, the case of which he made and took in payment for his work ; he worked at carpentering at Cincinnati Ohio, one year and then commenced farming ; he first rented, and when he was able bought. 80 acres in the woods of Hamilton Co.; he owned a mill property which he operated several years : they came to Darke Co., in the spring of 1857. and settled in

Biographical Sketches

Sec. 13, where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1822 to Nancy Conrey ; she was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1801 ; they are now one of the few couples who have lived to pass their golden wedding anniversary, he being in his 83d year, and still in possession of all his faculties, and she being in her 79th year and more feeble than her husband, having had a paralytic stroke, but is still vigorous in mind. The son, N. L. C, was born in Hamilton Co., in 1839 he assisted his father in the mill until they came to Darke Co., and then assisted on the tarm until about 20 years of age, and then engaged in a daguerrean room to learn the art ; after about one years' experience, finding that it affected his health he quit and resumed farming ; he spent about two years here on his father's place,' and then removed to Miami Co., where he owned 40 acres of land, and remained there until 1S79, when he returned to his father's place, and now has charge of the homestead and care of his aged parents. He was married in 1864 to Rachael H Coppock, daughter of William Coppock, deceased, who was an early resident of Miami Co.; they have six children, Ida 0., W. Z. D., James A., Nancy Rosetta, Wesley J. and Clara A.

JACOB KEEKER, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; a son of George M. and Catherine Rieker, natives of Germany and early residents of Butler Township ; Jacob is a brother-in-law to Joseph Hittle whose biography appears in the Butler Township list ; he was born in Germany in 1829, and was only 2 years old when his parents brought him to the United States; they settled in Butler Township in 1831 he grew to manhood on the farm and has continued to farm ever since, residing part of the time in Butler and part in Neave Townships ; he came to his present farm about seven years ago ; he has justcompleted a very neat and commodious residence, which is well finished, and is the most elegant residence in the neighborhood. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Margaret Gebhart, who were married in Montgomery Co. and came to Darke Co. about the same time that xMr. Rieker's parents did. Mr. and Mrs. Rieker are worthy members of the Reformed Church, and useful, respected members of society ; they have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

ALFRED ROBESON, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; the subject of this sketch is the son of Andrew Robeson, and grandson of John Robeson, who were early settlers of Butler Township ; Alfred was born in Butler Township, in 1841, and has always lived in the neighborhood of his birth ; he remained on the farm with his parents during his youth, and began teaching in winter when about 18 years of age, and continued winter, teaching and cropping, etc., during the summer, for about ten years ; he purchased his present farm which contains 120 acres. He was married in 1 808 to Nancy Clarke ; she is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Clarke formerly residents of Butler Township but now of Arcanum ; they began domestic hie. soon after their marriage, on the farm, in Sec. 35, where they now reside Mr Robeson is a life-resident of Darke Co., and, although a young man, is already one of its substantial citizens ; he is a worthy member of the Masonic Order, and she is a worthy member of the Reformed Church, and both are respected members of society.

GEORGE SCHLECHTY, fanner and Justice of the Peace ; P. O. Weaver's Station ; a son of Christian Schlechty, who was a native of Berks Co., Penn and came with his parents, Christian, Sr., and Barbara Schlechty. to Darke Co. ; he was married here to Susannah Noggle, and resided on the farm in Sec. 33, which the son George now owns. The subject of this sketch was born in Neave Township, in 1M4. and grew to manhood here amid the difficulties and limited opportunities of the ear y residents ; his father had a tan-yard, and George came in for his share of work at that trade, but, when he became a man, preferred farming, and has farmed ever since ; he now has the farm upon which his grandfather settled, about the year 1816 ; he also owns the tract upon which his father first resided after his marriage Mr. Schlechty is the present Justice of the Peace for Neave Township and is a leading and useful citizen ; he was married on March 10, 1859, to Arebecca

Winders, a native of Indiana ; they have six children - Willis M., Edson V., Levi D., Charles A., Jasper N. and John F., all of whom are members of the present household. _ , , ,.,,

AAIION SWANK, farmer; P. 0. Weaver's Station ; a " Buckeye by birth ; was born in Montgomery County in 1834 ; is a son of George and Susanna Swank ; when about 10 years of age, he became fatherless, and was cared for by his mother and older brothers ; after he became of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it several years. He was married in 1858 to Mahala Baker, and they removed to Indiana, but soon returned to Montgomery County, where Mrs. Swank's death occurred in 1866 ; they had no children ; in 1869, he married Mrs. Martha (Neely) McCool, a daughter of William Neely, who was an early settler of Neave Township ; he has since resided in Darke County ; came to his present residence, in Sec. 34, in 1872 ; they have five children - William Jacob, Lilly May, Hester, Emma and Julia Ann ; Mr. and Mrs. Swank are worthy members of church, and useful, respected members of the community.

DAVID THOMPSON, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.; is the son of Thomas Thompson, who was a native of Virginia and came to Darke Co. with his father, David Thompson, in 1814, who entered the land in Greenville Township, now owned by David Studabaker ; Thomas, who was a youno- man when his parents came here, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abram Studabaker. and they resided near Hill Grove, in Washington Township, several years ; he then traded his property for a property in Randolph Co., Ind., and removed there and remained until his death ; his wife's death occurred near Hill Grove. The subject of this sketch was born near Hill Grove, in 1832, and when about 16 years of age, having lost his mother, he struck out for himself and worked at farming, teaming, or anything he could get to do, until his marriage with Eva Neal, which was celebrated Aug. 21, 1853, after which he rented and farmed several years, one year in Illinois, but not liking it out there returned and farmed the Hunt place four years ; was Superintendent of the County Infirmary six years ; then purchased his present farm and removed to it in 1866 ; his wife's death occurred Dec. 26, 1874, after which he sold off his personal property, rented his farm, and resided in Greenville ; his marriage with Catherine E. Lot was celebrated Jan. 9, 1877 ; they remained in Greenville until the following November, when he had completed his present neat and commodious residence, they removed here and have remained ever since ; Mr. T. has seen the rough of Darke Co.; began here a boy, poor, and gradually worked his way up, until he accumulated enough to purchase his farm, which he has improved considerably, although his health has been quite delicate for several years past.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; another life-resident of Darke Co.; is a brother of David Thompson, whose biography appears also in this township list ; William was born in Washington Township, in 1836 ; was brought up a farmer, and commenced farming with a brother in 1855, and continued to rent and farm until 1866, when he took charge of the County Infirmary, remaining five years ; then came to the farm in Sees. 15 and 16, which he had purchased previous to his'superintendency of the Infirmary, and upon which he has continued to reside ever since, uniting stock-raising with farming ; he now has 122 acres of improved land, well 'supplied with stock, etc.; he also has a business property on Broadway, in Greenville, which he rents. Mr. Thompson was married in 1 857 to Miss Amanda, daughter of Caleb Neal, who was an early resident of Neave Township ; the fruit of this union was two children - Alice and Vinora.

JOSHUA TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. 0. Greenville ; is the son of William Townsend, who was a native of North Carolina, and was married to Mary Edwards, a native of Tennessee ; they came to Darke Co., at an early day. The subject of this sketch was born in Darke Co. in 1824 ; he was left fatherless at the age of 4 years ; his mother had two other sons, both younger than Joshua, but she managed to keep the family together, and by hard labor and some assistance from her father, Eli Edwards, she managed to live until Joshua had grown up ; when he was about 20 years of age. they went on to a farm whieh the father had purchased, but had not cleared, and Joshua and his two younger brothers undertook and did make a living by leasing cleared land close by. until they got their own under cultivation ; the next brother younger got married first, and then Joshua and his younger brother bought the other out ; afterward Joshua bought the whole place and continued to farm there until 1855 ; having been elected Sheriff of Darke Co., he removed to Greenville, and held the office two terms ; afterward he removed to Jaysville and engaged in the stock trade ; in 186-1, he purchased a farm and commenced farming again, but continued the stock dealing, until, within a few years past, he has turned his attention entirely to farming ; he now has over 1,000 acres of improved land, all in Neave Township. Mr. Townsend was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, in 1860, and is a leading and highly respected citizen. He was married in 1852 to Mary A. Bierly ; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, and resided at the time of her marriage with her stepmother, who married Noah Arnold, a resident of Neave Township ; they have had eight children - J. H., now married and a resident of Neave Township ; William H, Frank B., Miranda B.- Charles E., Mary M., Ellen J. and Lillie May.

ABIJAH H. VANDYKE, farmer ; P. O. Greenville ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1823 ; is the son of Andrew E. Vandyke, who came from Pennsylvania to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where his death occurred in 1840. The subject of this sketch, when about 17 years of age, began to learn the wagon and carriage makers trade, at which he worked several years, then engaged in different occupations until 1860, when he became a resident of Darke Co. and rented the Hunt farm three years, then purchased the farm in Sec. 14, which is now his homestead. In 1868, he was elected Sheriff of Darke Co., and re-elected in 1870; after serving the two terms asSheriff, he returned to his farm, and has resided on it ever since ; he has been an active, useful citizen, and most of the modern improvements of Darke Co. have been made since he became a resident here. He was married in Hamilton Co., to Sylvia Lawrence, daughter of Levi Lawrence, deceased, who was then a resident of Michigan, and formerly of Glendale, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke are the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters.

NATHANIEL W. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Greenville. Among the old settlers of Darke Co., the gentleman who heads this sketch takes a place in the front ranks ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, May 18, 1832 ; he was a son of Andrew P. Wilson, born in Kentucky July 2, 1801, and, with his parents, came to Butler Co. when 4 years of age. He was married, in the same county, to Sarah Allen, June 10, 1828 ; she was born in the Territory of Indiana April 10, 1808 ; in 1834, they came to Darke Co. and located in Harrison Township, and followed farming until the decease of Mr. Wilson, which occurred Sept. 6, 1852. Mrs. Wilson is now living upon the old farm, where she has lived for a period of fortyfive years. The subject of this memoir remained upon the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until Dec 27, 1854, when he was united in marriage with Mary E. Rush ; she was born in Harrison Township, Darke Co., Oct. 11, 1836 ; they have seven children now living, having lost three by death ; the living are Margaret M.. John K., William G., Sarah E., Charles A., Nathaniel Elmer and Andrew P.; upon the marriage of Mr. Wilson, he commenced farming for himself in Harrison Township, until the fall of 1871. He has served the county as its Sheriff for four years in succession, being first elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1873, and in 1875, he purchased a farm two miles south of Greenville, upon which he lived until February, 1878. when he sold and purchased his present place, where he lias since lived ; he now has 270 acres, with a good farm, located three miles from Greenville, on the Ft. Jefferson and Greenville pike, valued at some $15,000, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own exertions. Mrs. Wilson was a daughter of Asa Rush, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April