Samuel ROCKHILL
Birth: 2 MAY 1793 in Mansfield Twp. Burlington Co., JN 1
Death: 1865 in Monroe Twp. Allen Co., Ohio 1
Burial: Rockport Methodist Cemetery Allen Co., Oh
Samuel Rockhill was born in the state of New Jersey 2
May, 1793 He came to
Ohio in 1835 to Allen County
then part of then of Putnam County. At that time the village
of Lima only
contained eight or ten houses and one
little store. The county was a wilderness with many
big trees .The wolf
and the wildcat had free range.
After Samuel had cleared his farm he laid out the village of
Rockport in
1836
Ohio.His energy ,intelligence and uprightness of character
won him many
friends It soon marked him as a man worthy of public trust.
Mr. Rockhill
was a
leading man in many enterprises for the improvements of the
county- such
as building the county infirmary and securing a railroad
thorough the
county.
He served on the Board of County Commissioners of Allen
County for five
years from 1848 and again in 1851. He was a Justice of the
Peace and held
other offices. He was a sincere Christian and for many years
in pioneer
times his house was used for public worship He donated the
land for the
building of the Rockport Methodist Church and cemetery and
assisted in
building the
church., Mr Rockhill had great faith in the Union soldiers
in the War of
the Rebellion ( 1860-1865) He lost a son and grandson in the
war. Near
the close of the war while nursing a sick son in the
hospital ,he lost his
own
life to either from an illiness or being hit in Knoxville
TN, by a horse
and buggy.
He was an active worker in the anti-slavery movement and ran
a way-station
in Putnam County for the Underground Railroad..
Samuel's marker in the Rockport Cemetery identifies him as a
veteran of the
War of 1812, although no record of his service is found
in the National Archives. We have never found proof of this,
but because of
his strong feelings against the war and slavery I have
included it.
Rockport Monroe Township
The village of Rockport was laid out in 1836 by Samuel
Rockhill.
*1875 Personal histories from Monroe Township as published
in the 1875
Historical Atlas of Allen County, Ohio by H. H. Hardesty
& Co. Publishers
Chicago, IL
Submitted By
Norita Shepherd Moss
JOHN F
TONE married Julia Ann Andrews. Their children are Albert
Lyman, Ellen, Aurilla, Emma Percy, John Frederick, Franklin
Christopher, Charles Gustin, William Fremont and Mary Rose.
Mr. Tone was born in Grafton County, New Hampshire, in the
year 1822. His parents, Christopher and Aurilla Tone, never
resided in this county. Mrs. Tone was born in Delaware
County, Ohio, in the year 1825. Her parents are Lyman and
Percy Andrews. She is sister of Sylvester, William,
Sophronia, Mary, Simon, James and Delia.
DANIEL
STEVICK is a son of Jacob and Sarah Stevick, whose children
are John, William, Annie, Joseph, Jacob, Daniel, Eli, Sarah,
Mary, Elizabeth and George. Daniel was born in Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1926. His wife is
Margaret, daughter of David and Margaret E. Jrushel, who had
nine children--Catharine, Maria, John, Peter, Margaret,
David, Elizabeth, Henry and Sarah. She was born in Stark
County, Ohio, September 18, 1832. David A., Jacob A. and
Jessie L., are the children of Daniel and Margaret Stevick.
Mr. S. was one of the Trustees of Bath Township for three
years.
BENJAMIN
GRIFFITHS is a son of Joseph and Jane, and brother of
Joseph, Elenor, Mary, Evan and Ebenezer Griffiths. He was
born in Butler County in 1829, and came to Allen County in
1836 with his parents. "In those days the nearest grain
markets were at Lake Erie and the Ohio River; therefore
farmers raised barely grain enough to supply their families
with bread and salt. There was a water mill on Hog Creek,
but when the water was low we had to go to Sidney, or Piqua,
to mill. There was plenty of wild game." Mrs. Griffiths
was Julia Ann Aumspaucher, born in Fairfield County, 1830.
They have eight children--Vincent (deceased), Isaac Newton
(deceased), Jason M., Ida C., Herbert G. (deceased), Sarah
Jane, Josephine and Henderson F. Mrs. G. is a daughter of
George and Rebecca Aumspaucher, whose children are Mahala,
Julia Ann, Clara, John, Samuel and Jessie.
SAMUEL
ZURMEHLY was his wife, Catharine Jane (Brook) Zurmehly, are
both natives of Pennsylvania. They have seven children--Mary
E., John W., Eliza J., Wilson S., Peter F., Charles L. and
Ida B. Mr. Z.'s parents, John C. Zurmehly and Susanna (Shofner)
Zurmehly, died in Pickaway County. They had nine
children--Robert, Frederick, Samuel, Jacob, John, Amos,
Susan, Peter and Mary. Mr. Z. was born in 1822, and came to
this county in 1846. Mrs. Z. was born in 1824. Her father,
James Brook, died in Pennsylvania. Her mother, Mary (Craft)
Brook, died in Allen County. Mrs. Z. has two
brothers--Thomas and Samuel Brook, and two sisters--Susan
and Elizabeth.
J R WALTZ
was born in November, 1813, in Jefferson County. He is a son
of Samuel and Barbara Waltz, who have eight
children--Sophia, Keziah, Bazelen, Samuel, Jacob, Mahala,
Elias and Barbara. Mr. Waltz married Delila E., daughter of
Obadiah and Rebecca Holmes, who came to Allen County from
Tuscarawas County, in 1862. Mrs. Waltz was born in Carroll
County, July 20, 1816. William, Elijah, Clum and James
Holmes are her brothers. She has one sister, Anna. J. R. and
Delila E. Waltz have seven children--Elias L., Thomas H.,
Isaac L., Jacob A., Rebecca E., Joseph M. and Barbara A.
Obadiah S. Waltz, member of Company E., 20th O. V. I., died
of typhoid fever, at Shiloh, Tennessee, May 31, 1862.
AMANDA
TOWNSHIP.
DAVID S. ADAMS, farmer, P. O. Kempton, was born in Warren
County, Ohio, January 26, 1849; son of Lamyan, a native of
Kentucky and an early settler of Warren County, and Maria
(Stewart) Adams, who was born in New Jersey. Of their eight
children, David S. is the sixth. Our subject, when ten years
of age, came to this county with his parents; was raised on
a farm, his education being limited to what he could obtain
in the common schools. He has always followed agricultural
pursuits. He entered upon his career in life with nothing,
but by habits of industry and economy, has gained a goodly
portion of this world's goods. He is always interested in
public improvements, and gives aid to all as far as his
circumstances will permit. Mr. Adams was married March 3,
1869, to Miss Margaret Emiline Clark, born in this county
January 12, 1854, died July 23, 1884. To them were born six
children, two of whom are deceased — Laura and Alonzo.
Those living are John Quincy, Forest Dell, Clarence and
Samantha. Mr. Adams is an enterprising farmer, a good
neighbor, highly esteemed by his friends.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
ISAAC
J. BABER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in German Township,
Allen Co., Ohio, October 6, 1842; son of James and Susan.
(McMullen) Baber, natives of Virginia and early settlers of
this county.
Our subject received a limited common school education, and
having been raised on a farm has naturally made farming the
principal occupation of his life. He was united in marriage,
October 27, 1867, with Mary M. Thomas, of German Township,
this county, and by her has eight children: William Brinton,
James W., Franklin Orwood, Albert, Naoma, Margaret, Walter,
and Isaac, Jr. Mr. Baber's sole possession when he started
out for himself, at the age of twenty-one years, was a colt
valued at $25. He was fully determined to make the most of
his opportunities, however, and now owns 121 acres of land,
eighty-five of which are under cultivation, proving him to
have been an active man. Mr. Baber was formerly a granger.
In his political views he is Democratic. He is a consistent
member of the Christian Union Church.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
ISAAC
COON, farmer, P.O. Kempton, was born in Belmont County, Ky.
Ohio, March 18, 1829, a son of George Coon, a native of
Pennsylvania, who was something over ninety-five years of
age at the time of his death, which occured in 1873. The
first wife of George coon was Christine Moore, the mother of
our subject, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and by her he
had fifteen children, Isaac being the youngest; she died
about 1843. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received
his education in the early subscription schools. He was
three years of age when his parents removed to Section 4,
Shawnee Township, this county, and here he grew to maturity,
fully acquainted with pioneer life. At the age of nineteen
he received his time from his fattier and went to Delphos,
where he went to work in a saw-mill. In about a year he had
saved the money with which he bought forty acres of land in
Amanda Township, this county, where he still lives, and to
which he has added by subsequent purchases, until now he has
280 acres in this township, and eighty -five in Shawnee, the
greater portion of which is under cultivation. ' At one time
he dealt quite extensively in sheep, but at present makes no
specialties. Mr. Coon was married March 14, 1850, to Julia
Ann Gaskel, who died June 8, 1858. She bore him three
children: Martha £., Martin L., and Benjamin F. His second
marriage, which occurred March 3, 1861, was with Sarah L.
Cobb, born in Luzerne County, Penn., September 5, 1843,
daughter of Aaron and Esther (Halstead) Cobb. To this union
six children were born: Sanford C., Orrin F., Albert O.,
Charles H , Lizzie L., and Ira E. Mr. Coon was in the
service three years in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in several engagements. At
the battle of Franklin, Term., he was shot through the right
lung, which wound still troubles him. Politically he is a
Republican.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
WILLIAM
B. COON, farmer, P. O. Conant, was born in Shawnee Township,
this county, January 27, 1842; son of George J. and Julietta
(Decoursey) Coon, natives of New England, and who came to
Allen County at an early date. Eight of their thirteen
children are living, of whom our subject is the eldest He
obtained a common school education, and having been raised a
farmer has made farming the principal occupation of his
life. lie is virtually self-made, having entered upon the
battle of life a poor man, and has accumulated his property
through industry and economy. He is worthy of the reputation
he sustains of being a practical farmer and a thorough
business man. Mr. Coon was married November 8, 1866, to
Jane, daughter of James Placa She was born in Missouri,
February 22, 1842. By this union were born nine children:
Lenora, Susan, Jane, William, Elmer, Belvy L., Hattie
(deceased), Alpheus (deceased) and Mercy (deceased). Mr.
Coon has twice been a servant of the people of his township,
having served as trustee and justice of the peace. In
February 1862, he volunteered his services to his country,
and was with Sherman, till the close of the war. He is a
consistent member of the Christian Church. In politics he is
independent.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
STEPHEN
D. CREMEAN, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Boss
County, Ohio, January 10, 1827; son of Smith and Mary (Dillen)
Cremean, natives of Maryland, who settled in Boss County,
Ohio, about 1805. They were parents of ten children, of whom
our subject is the seventh. In 1830 they removed to Allen
County, and located in German Township, where Stephen D.
grew to maturity fully acquainted with pioneer life. The
father died in about 1859, the mother in February, 1880,
aged about ninety years. Our subject obtained a limited
common school education, and having been raised a farmer has
made that occupation the principle one of his life. For
about two years, however, he engaged in mercantile business
at Elida and Cridersville, Auglaize Co., Ohio. In the fall
of 1848 he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Amanda
Township, this county, where he still resides, and which he
continued to add to, at intervals, until his farm now
consists of 275 acres of choice land, all more or less
highly cultivated;' and in connection with his farming
interests has dealt in stock, more extensively in buying and
selling hogs. Mr. Cremean was united in marriage, November
5, 1848, with Tamsey John, born in Boss County, Ohio, April
23, 1829, by whom he has two children: Mary Jane and Curtis.
They have, however, raised five other children: Annie
Strawbridge, Jessie Carr, Maria Eoush, James and Amanda
Stalter. Mr. Cremean has tilled the office of justice of the
peace one term, and is now serving his fifth term as
township treasurer. For about ten years he has been a
consistent member of the Christian Union Church. Politically
he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a
self-made man having accumulated his property by his own
efforts.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
CONRAD
B. GULP, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Pickaway
County, Ohio, June 13, 1819, being third in the family of
thirteen children of Peter and Susan (Broucher) Culp,
natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Pickaway County in
1802. Conrad B. was raised on a farm, and early in life
learned the trades of carpenter and joiner and shoe-maker.
He conducted a shoe store in Pickaway County about five
years, and has worked more or less at the carpenter's trade
for twenty years. In connection with his trades he has also
owned a farm. Mr. Culp was united in marriage, in 1842, with
Sarah Duncle, who died in 1847 leaving to his care six
children: Franklin (deceased), George D. (deceased), Mary
S., John (deceased), Jacob (deceased) and Peter S.
(deceased). In 1850 he was again married, this time to
Rachael Imler, who died in 1877; she bore him five children:
Sarah C. (deceased), Rachael (deceased), Hannah J., Clement
Brinlen and Harriet I. In 1847 Mr. Culp went to Auglaize
County where he bought a quarter section of wild land, built
a water saw-mill, and remained for eleven years, then
removed to Lima, this county, and for two years was engaged
in mercantile business and working at his trade. In the fall
of 1860 he purchased his present property which was then in
a state of nature, and which he has converted into a good
farm, having placed the same under a high state of
cultivation, it being the third farm he has cleared up in
his time, one in Allen County, one in Auglaize County and
one in Fairfield County. In 1877 he erected a large barn, at
that time the best in the neighborhood. His education has
been obtained in the common schools and in contact with he
world. From the age of fifteen years he was catechized in
the Lutheran Church until he united with the Christian Union
Church, of which he has been a consistent member for several
years. His political sympathy is with the Democratic Party.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
JACOB
FRY, farmer, P.O. Conant, was born in Pennsylvania February
26 1827, a son of Abraham and Mary (Bechenbaugh) Fry, of
Pennsylvania, of whose family of nine children, only four
are living Jacob being the youngest. Our subject was
married, October 5, 1848, to Amy J. Chipman, who died in
March, 1871, the mother of seven children : Abram L., Mary
E. (deceased), Isabel (wife of L. Bowersock), Bosetta (wife
of William King), Ida A. (deceased), Mattie (deceased), and
William S. Mr. Fry came to Allen County in 1849, and two
years later located on his farm in Amanda Township, and has
been one of the sturdy pioneers who have cleared away the
forests and prepared the soil for cultivation. He has served
the people as trustee for three years. During the war he
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the service till the close
of the struggle. Religiously he is connected with the
Baptist Church. Mr. Fry's oldest son, Abram L., was born
January 14, 1850, received a common school education, and
has always been a farmer. He is still living on the
homestead. He has been township clerk two years, and is now
serving as such by appointment on an unfinished term. He was
married, December 29, 1870, to Josephine Fryer, born in
Allen County July 24, 1854, by whom he has had four
children: Ida Bell (deceased), Alpheus, Inetta and Effie
May. Politically both our subject and son are Democrats.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
THOMAS
GEUBB, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Kempton, was
born in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio, September 27,
1852; son of John B. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Grubb, who are
still living, the former born in Morgan County, the latter
in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio. They were early
settlers of Auglaize County, Ohio. They are the parents of
four living children-: John A., Letitia J., Thomas and Annie
E. Thomas were reared on a farm, and has always followed
agricultural pursuits. His education was limited to such as
could be obtained in the common schools of those days. He
was united in marriage, August 28, 1878, with Miss Catherine
Bowers, of Auglaize Township, this county, born April 20,
1859, daughter of John and Amanda E. Bowers, the former of
whom, one of the early settlers of Allen County, died about
1865. To this union three children were born: Bolla G.,
Laura B. and Maud. Mr. Grubb moved to Amanda Township, this
county, in 1879, and settled on the farm where he now
resides. He was a charter member of Rattlesnake Grange of
Jackson Township. He is a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. In his political views he is identified
with the Democratic party. He was elected and commissioned
justice of the peace in 1880, and during his four years of
service has performed most of the official work of this
office in the township. Our subject is an energetic and
enterprising man, and is destined to become one of the
substantial farmers of Amanda Township.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
CALVIN
HARRIS, retired farmer, P. O. Southworth, was bom in
Chautauqua County, N. Y., October 1, 1810, son of Samuel and
Sally (Reed) Harris, natives of New York State, parents of
five children: Eleazar, Elvira, Daniel, Sarah and Calvin,
the last two named being the only survivors of the family.
They removed to Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1816, and soon after
our subject was bound to a Quaker, with whom he lived on a
farm till he was sixteen years old. He then learned wagon-
making, a trade he followed about fourteen years. He
eventually moved to Lockland, Ohio, where he married Edith
Dunn May 28, 1835. In 1849 he came to this county and
located on the farm where he now resides. His wife died
December 9, 1881, and he DOW lives a retired life, having
given over his business to his son. He is a deacon in the
Baptist Chnrch, of which he has been a consistent member
since a young man. He was originally a Whig, but is now a
Republican. Of his nine children four are now living: Mary
Angeline (wife of T. A. Handel), Roscoe B., Florence B.
(wife of D. W. Ditto) and Clarence B.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
ISAAC BARTER, farmer, P. O. Conant, was born in Amanda
Township, this county, March 17, 1837, and is the only
surviving child of Charles and Susan (Carr) Barter, and a
grandson of Jacob and Rebecca (Copus) Harter, who were among
the very early settlers of this county. Our subject was but
six months old at the death of his. father, and at the age
of eleven years was also bereft of a mother's care. He was
thus thrown upon his own resources, although part of his
early life was spent with his grandparents. His education
was necessarily limited, and he entered upon his career in
life with nothing but his own labor to depend upon, but
being possessed of a stout heart and energetic nature, he
determined to make his way in the world. As a result of his
industry and economy he was enabled to purchase a small
piece of land in 1802. Three years later he volunteered his
services to his country, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred
and Ninty second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served till the
close of the war. After that he returned to agricultural
pursuits and has now a fine farm, highly cultivated and well
supplied with substantial buildings. Mr. Harter was married
January 23, 1800, to Elizabeth Eley, born April 20, 1841, in
Amanda Township, daughter of Peter and Rosanna (Place) Eley.
To this union have been born five children: Susan, Cora
Bell, Emma E., Charles (deceased) and Lillie (deceased). Mr.
Harter is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Spencerville; is
an adherent of the Christian Church. He is not a politician
but votes for men and principles.
Submitted by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
CYRUS
H. HOVER, farmer, P. O. Kempton, was born in Trumbull
County, Ohio, March 5, 1822, and came to Allen County with
his parents in 1833, locating at Lima, where he entered on
his career of life in 1846, commencing in the foundry
business. In 1850 he removed his business to Delphos, where
he remained thirteen years. He then purchased a farm in
Amanda Township, and turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits. The greater portion of his farm was at that time
wild and uncultivated, but now it is under a state of
cultivation, being second to none in his township. Mr. Hover
was married August 4, 1847, to Martha Past, who was born in
Enox County, Ohio, August 7, 1827, and this union has been
blessed with eleven children: Elizabeth C. (wife of Rev.
Philip Lemasters), Laura (deceased), Joseph O. (deceased),
Mary E. (wife of R. H. Gamble), Charles A., Kate P. (wife of
D. H. Crites), Bryant G., Minnie L., Florence, Ada L.
(deceased), and Mattie J. Mr. Hover is a man of sound
judgment, honorable and upright to a fault in all business
transactions, and is one of the most influential as well as
substantial farmers of his township. He is a stanch advocate
of the principles of the Republican Party. Religiously he
and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
SAMUEL
LUTZ, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Allentown, one of the
substantial farmers of this township, was born in Fairfield
County, Ohio, September 13, 1853, son of John and Elizabeth
Ann (Miller) Lutz, the former born in Maryland, January 13,
1820. John Lutz was married November 20, 1845, to Sarah Ann
Griffith, and by this union was born one child, Phoebe Ann
(now wife of David Brennemen of German Township, Allen Co.,
Ohio). Losing this wife by death July 15, 1850, he married
on the second occasion, May 1, 1851, Elizabeth Ann Miller,
who bore him four children: William M., Samuel, Sarah J.
(deceased), and George A. This wife died December 24, 1859,
and he then married June 20, 1861, Sarah J. Doner, by which
union there were four children born: Isaac N. (deceased),
Louisa I, John W. and Altha C. (deceased). John Lutz was an
influential farmer, a man of good judgment and in every
sense a self-made man. He died February 22, 1873, and his
loss was deeply mourned. Having been raised on a farm, our
subject naturally chose the life of a farmer, and has always
followed agricultural pursuits. He was married November 21,
1875 to Miss Catherine, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth
(Housel) Alexander, natives of Pennsylvania, and early
settlers of Allen County, now residents of German Township.
They have two sons: Orlo E., born July 30, 1877, and Harry
A., born December 4, 1880. Mr. Lutz’s early recollections
are of the pioneer days in Amanda Township, where his
parents located in October 1855. He still resides upon the
old home farm, where he recently erected a fine residence
and frame barn, and where he has raised stock to
considerable extent, being interested in high-grade
short-horn cattle and sheep, and Poland-China hogs.
Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Lutz inherits
his father's energetic enterprising nature, and is highly
esteemed by the community, who sympathize with him in his
partial retirement from active life on account of hip- joint
disease.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
CHRISTIAN MACK (deceased) was born in Germany, May 10, 1828,
and received a limited education in his native land. In 1840
he came to America with his parents, who located in Marion
County, Ohio, and here he grew to maturity, following the
occupation of a farmer until 1852, in which year he moved to
Allen County and located on the farm where he resided the
balance of his days. For many years he owned and operated a
threshing machine; for about five years was proprietor of a
saw-mill in Auglaize County, which was conducted in
connection with his farm. Mr. Mack was twice married; on the
first occasion in 1849, to Christine Shirley, who died in
1855, leaving to his care two sons: Charles and Isaac. His
second marriage, February 25, 1856, was with Christine M.
Gebhart, born in Germany, April 3, 1835, and who came to
America in 1854. Thirteen children were born to this union:
John. Katie. Lena, Conrad (deceased) , Jacob (deceased),
Sarah, William, Frederick (deceased), Emma, Henry, Fanny M.
(deceased), Benjamin and Harry (deceased). Mr. Mack, who was
a hard-working, energetic man,
was one of the pioneers who assisted in developing this part
of Allen County. During the late civil war he served about
eleven months in Company G, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. He was for several years a member of the German
Methodist Church. In politics he was identified with the
Republican Party. His death occurred August 11, 1882. His
widow still survives, and has successfully managed the farm
assisted by her children.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
A.
D. MILLER, farmer and teacher, P. O. Allentown, Ohio, was
born in Amanda Township, this county, June 18, 1853, son of
Joseph and Minerva J. (Shock) Miller, the former a native of
Ross County, Ohio, the latter of Allegheny County, Perm.
They were early settlers of Allen County, Ohio, and are now
residents of Amanda Township. Our subject, the eldest of
their nine children, received a commercial and miscellaneous
education at the National Normal School of Lebanon, and
entered upon his career in life as a teacher, finishing his
first term as such during his fifteenth year, and has
followed that profession more or less till the present time.
He was for two years engaged in railroad offices at Elida,
and during the summer seasons for the last two years has
engaged in farming. Mr. Miller was married March 5, 1876, to
Miss Darthula Place, born August 21, 1854, by whom he has
three children: Lehr E., Freeda G. and Minerva S. Mrs.
Miller is a daughter of James Place, who was born in
Trumbull County, Ohio, March 25, 1818, came to this county
in 1836 and in 1841 married Susan Culver, of Delaware
County, Ohio, born July 4, 1818. Both are still living. Mr.
Miller has served the people of the township in several of
its offices of trust, and was elected justice of the peace
in 1883, since when he has done quite an extensive business
in his official capacity. Politically he is considered a
leader of the Democratic party in this vicinity, destined to
become one of the substantial men of the township.
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
SIMON
SHAFFER, carpenter and farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born
in Shawnee Township, Allen Co., Ohio, July 6, 1849. His
parents are still living, his father, Michael, a native of
Pennsylvania and an early settler of Miami and Allen
Counties, Ohio, being a farmer of Shawnee Township; his
mother, Sarah (Whetstone) Shaffer, was born in Auglaize,
this county. ' Their children, thirteen in number, are as
follows: Henry, Simon, Nancy, John, Rebecca, Michael
(deceased), Alford (deceased), Sarah, Amanda, William, Elza,
George and Luella. Our subject was raised on a farm, his
education being limited to a few weeks each year in the
common schools. Early in life he commenced to work at the
carpenter's trade, which he has made his principal
occupation, and he bears the reputation of being a
first-class workman in every respect. He was united in
marriage June 24, 1871, with Margaret Richardson, born May.
17, 1854, daughter of G. W. Richardson, and to this union
were born four children: Rozilla, Alby, Michael and Julia.
When twenty-two years of age Mr. Shaffer removed to Auglaize
County, this State, but returned to this county in 1879. For
five years he has lived upon his farm in Amanda Township,
and in 1882 erected thereon what is recognized as the finest
frame barn in the county. He is a self-made man, having
gained his property through habits of industry and economy.
He purchased his time from his father before reaching
maturity, paying for the same the sum of $182.50. Mr.
Shaffer is an active member of the order of F. & A. M.
at Spencerville. In politics he is identified with the
Democratic Party.
Submitted by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
BENJAMIN
F. SOUTHWORTH, farmer, P.O. Southworth, was born in Clark
County, Ohio, January 12, 1828, son of Benjamin P, and Annie
(Stacy) Southworth, natives of Vermont and who were parents
of six children, of them only four grew to maturity. The
father died in 1868, the mother's death having occurred
about ten years previously. Our subject was raised on a farm
and received a common school education. He came to this
county with hie parents in December, 1835, and has always
followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married,
December 13, 1849, to Elizabeth Sawmiller, born in Putnam
County, Ohio, December 20, 1827, and by this union are three
children now living: Enos H., Susan (wife of William Lutz),
and Josephine (wife of Eugene Grieser). Mr. Southworth
entered upon his career in life with but money enough to buy
ten acres of land, but through habits of industry and
economy has accumulated some property, being considered one
amongst the prosperous farmers of the township. The railway
station and post office near his farm are named in his
honor. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Southworth
served his country three years, having enlisted in Company
B, McLaughlin's Squadron. He is a Republican in politics.
Submitted by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
ANDREW
WEYER, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Highland County,
Ohio, March 13, 1815: son of Barnett and Catherine (Reese)
Weyer, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. They
were among the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio,
having located there previous to the war of 1812. Our
subject's early life was spent upon a farm and in attending
the common schools to which his educational privileges were
limited. As soon as he was old enough he commenced working
in a shoe shop with his father, but eventually entered upon
his career as a farmer. He came to Allen County in 1836 and
located in Jackson Township, near Lafayette. Here he cleared
a farm of eighty acres and lived till 1871, when he removed
to Amanda Township. He has never engaged in any enterprise
other than his farming interests since he has started for
himself. His has been an active life, and in his declining
days it is some satisfaction for him to know that he has
always lived honorable and upright. Mr. Weyer was married in
October, 1838, to Nancy Nash, who died twenty years later.
By her he had eight children: William H. (who served three
years during the late war of the Rebellion), Lewis (who
served in same, one and a half years), Malinda, John W.,
Nancy E., David H., Andrew H. and Helena. On November 27,
1860, our subject married Miss Elizabeth Rumbaugh, born in
Bath Township, this county, April 26, 1840, daughter of
William and Mary (Ashcraft) Rumbaugh, early settlers of that
township (her father is still living two miles east of Lima,
her mother died in about 1864). By this last union Mr. Weyer
is the father of six children: Charles (at school in
Dayton), Alvan, Thomas, Nettie, Rosana and Viola. In his
political views Mr. Weyer was originally a Whig, but has
been identified with the Republican party since its
organization.
Submitted by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
WILLIAM
H. WEYER, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Jackson
Township, Allen County, Ohio, April 18, 1841, son of Andrew
and Nancy (Nash) Weyer. He received a common school
education 'and has mostly followed the occupation of a
farmer. In August.
1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety -ninth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, with Capt. John C. Walters, and with the company
was attached to the Fourth Army Corps. He was in the service
till the close of the war, and took part in all the
engagements in which his regiment participated, except about
two months during which time he was in hospital suffering
from a shell wound in the head received at the battle of
Chickamanga. Mr. Weyer was married, August 6. 1871, to Miss
Mary M., daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bumbaugh) Keller, early
settlers of this county, and by her he has had seven
children: Nelson, John, Adison, Elnora, Irven, Alberta and
David Oliver (deceased at the age of eleven months,
twenty-four days). For some time after his return from the
war Mr. Weyer en - gaged in the saw-mill business. He
removed to Amanda Township in March, 1871, and located on
his farm, then in the woods, but now under a high state of
cultivation, and supplied with sub -stantial buildings,
which demonstrate his desire to develop the farming
interests of the county. His reputation is above reproach as
a business man and farmer. Mr. Weyer has been a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since March 7,
1876. He is a Republican in politics
Submitted
by
Barb
Ziegenmeyer
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