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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.

DAVID B. DAVIS. farmer, P. O. Harshmanville, was born on the 16th day of' June, 1831, in Indiana. Mr. Davis' father was of Welsh parentage. His mother was born in this county, about the year 1810. Her parents were born in North Carolina, and came to this county in 1808. Mr. Davis' father and mother died when he was in his sixth year, and he then went to live with an uncle. remaining until his fifteenth year, when he went to John Flory, of Lambertine, to learn the blacksmith trade; remained one and one-half years; thence to Cambridge City, Ind., where he completed his trade ; Mr. Davis worked one year in Piqua, Ohio ; was married to Miss Mary Noffsinger, removed with her to Cambridge City, Ind., living there one year ; returned to this county where he has since resided. Mrs. Davis' father, Mr. Noffsinger, was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in North Carolina. Mr. Noffsinger came to Ohio about the year 1806, and settled in this county. Mrs. Davis was born on the 14th day of March, 1832, in Jefferson Township, where her parents lived and died. Mr. Davis was in the late war, in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio, under Col. Lowe, stationed at Baltimore. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had ten children. The first died when three days old ; Daniel A. died when three months old. Cassius, Oscar, Lizzie Jennie, Howard, Harry, David and John are at home with their parents.

MRS. ANNIE (FRYBERGER) ECKMAN, farmer. P. O. Dayton, born in this township the 7th of March, 1809, is the daughter of George and Catharine Fryberger. When Mrs. Eckman was born, this county was an almost unbroken wilderness and when she was a child, her time was chiefly spent in helping the older ones of the family to clear up 'he country and make them a home. Her early life was intimately identified with the suffering and hardships of the early pioneer, when this country was swarming with bear, deer and other wild animals. Mrs. Eckman was mar-


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ried, September 9, 1828, to Daniel Eckman, and moved to her present residence, where she has since resided. She has five children, viz. : Valentine, Henry and Daniel (deceased), and Mary E. and Sarah A.--one married to William Gross, and living in Dayton, the other married to George F. Wentz, and living on the home farm.

FREDERICK EICKMAN, machinist, Dayton. Mr. Frederick Eickman was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 9th day of August, 1845. His father came to this country in 1846. Two years later, his mother and grandmother came with the subject of our sketch and joined the father in Dayton, Ohio. Two weeks after their arrival, Mr. E.'s grandmother died of the cholera. Mr. E. remained with his parents until his twenty-fourth year. In his nineteenth year, he began to learn the business of machinist, and has continued at that until now. Mr. E. was married on the 22d of December, 1870, to Miss Louise Frohlich, of Dayton. She was born on the 30th day of January, 1850, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents were born in the Kingdom of Hanover, and came to this country in 1846. Mr. E. has lived in this county all the time, with the exception of two years that he worked in Cambridge City, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. E. have four children--Charles W., born on the 7th of November, 1872 ; Ida L., born on the 15th of August, 1874 ; Elmer, born July 24, 1876 ; Frederick, born the 16th of November, 1878. Mr. E. is now serving his second term as School Director, and is living in his residence in Harries plat, where he has been nine years, having previously lived in the city of Dayton. When Mr. E. came to this country with his mother, they were twenty-one weeks on shipboard, landing at New Orleans, thence by steam-boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence by canal to Dayton, being the entire distance from Bremen to Dayton by water.



JESSE FOLKERTH, farmer, P. O. Dayton, born September 28, 1853, son of Ebenezer and Ann (Eversole) Folkerth. Ebenezer was born in Frederick County, Md.. March 7. 1811 came with his parents to Ohio, in 1817 ; located in Preble County, near Big Twin Creek, where they resided until 1830, when they removed to Van Buren Township, Montgomery County. At this early day, land in the heart of the city could be bought for $5 per acre, but it was all swamp land at that time ; when Ebenezer's father located in Van Buren Township he bought land at $8 per acre. At this time game was plenty, deer, wild turkey, squirrel and small game could be shot from one's door. Here Ebenezer showed his skill as a marksman. The land was swampy, and Ebenezer would stall with but a barrel of flour with a six-horse team. In the year 1833, he married Ann Eversole, who was born in Virginia. Jefferson County, near Shepardsville, in the year 1813, May 5. Ebenezer and wife commenced farming in Van Buren Township, which occupation he followed to his death, By his marriage with Ann Eversole there were four children born--Christopher C., born September 8, 1834 ; Abraham, born July 29, 1836 ; John H., November 19, 1840 ; Jesse, September 28. 1853. Mrs. Ann Folkerth died November 26, 1853. On the 20th of April, 1854, Ebenezer was again married to Margrette S. Zingling ; one son was born to them--Frank Jordan. January 1, 1857. Margrette S. Zingling was born in Frederick County, Md.. January 27, 1827. Ebenezer united with the German Baptist Church about 1870, and lived a faithful Christian until his death, which occurred January 5. 1879. He was a kind neighbor, a faithful friend and a bounteous giver to all in need. His widow and three sons survive him.

VALENTINE FRYBARGER, deceased. Mr. Valentine Frybarger was the son of George Frybarger, a native of Germany. Valentine was born on what is now known as the Frybarger estate and owned by his heirs. He married Elizabeth Hosier, April 14, 1831, Parson Winters officiating. Mr. Frybarger was identified very closely with the early history of this county, being a citizen for many years during the early struggles of the pioneers to make this county habitable and beautiful. Mr. Frybarger and wife were members of the Reformed Church for many years. He died July 22, 1873. and his wife August 24, 1874.

ROSANA HOFFMAN, retired, P. O. Dayton, was born in Bedford County, Penn., on the 5th day of March, 1810, and is the daughter of James and Susanna Ensley. Mr. Easley was born in Pennsylvania and Mrs. Ensley in Virginia. They came


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to this county in 1818, and settled at Little York, in this county, where Mr. Ensley died. Mrs. Ensley is now living at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Hoffman remained with her parents until her marriage with Peter. Hoffman, which took place on the 18th day of May, 1830. Mr. Hoffman was the son of Phillip and Anna M. Hoffman, and was born on the 16th day of October, 1802. Mrs. Hoffman accompanied her husband to his farm in the Hoffman settlement the next day after the wedding, where they lived until 1850, when he sold his farm and bought another in this township, near Dayton ; our subject also bought 30 acres of land in her own right one-half mile from the city limits, on which her husband and herself settled and cleared off the timber, and built the commodious brick residence she now occupies. Mrs. Hoffman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was her husband. He died in November, 1868, and was buried at Concord Church where he was a class leader for fifteen years. Mrs. Hoffman has had seven children, only one of whom survive--Mary Jane, married to John Brown, and heving on the home farm. Mrs, Hoffman is one of the very few who are living that were identified with the early struggles of the county in its pioneer days.

JOSEPH R. HUSTEN, farmer, P. O. Dayton. Mrs. Elizabeth Husten, one of the oldest of the native citizens of this township, was born on the 17th day of November, 1808, and has resided in this township all her hefe, and is the daughter of Jonathan and Susanna (Rench) Harshman. Her father and mother were born in Maryland, her father on the 21st of December, 1781, and her mother on the 11th day of November, 1786. Mrs. Husten lived with her parents until her seventeenth year. She was married to Israel Husten on the 20th day of June, 1826, Israel Husten was born Sept. 24, 1805. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather of Ireland. Shortly after Mrs. Husten's marriage she removed to their present home. called "Hustonia," where she has resided for the last fifty four years. Mr. Israel Husten died on the 11th day of August, 1846. They had twelve children, as follows: Susan C., born May 10, 1827 ; Mary E., December 16, 1828 ; David B., April 15, 1830 ; Jonathan H,, February 5, 1832, deceased ; Israel, Jr., born October 8, 1833, deceased ; Sarah, May 28, 1835, deceased ; Jane E., January 4, 18 37 ; Harriet F., January 7, 1839 ; Emily H., January 1, 1841; Joseph R., January 1, 1843 ; Martha C., March 12, 1845, deceased; and Abigail, August 20, 1846, deceased. Mr. Joseph R. Huston, now managing the large estate of his mother, was married on January 25, 1866, to Miss Callie Dickey, daughter of William Dickey, whose biography appears in this work. She died on the 11th day of November, 1870. Mr. Husten had three children by this marriage, viz.: Harries D., born November 17, 1866 ; Joseph E., October 4, 1868, deceased; William D., November 28, 1869. Mr. Husten was married the second time on June 21, 1877, to Miss Fannie L. Turpen, daughter of James Turpen, of Dayton, Ohio.

DAVID C. KEMP, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born in this township on the 18th day of September, 1837, and has made it his home all his life. In his twenty-first year his father moved to Dayton, leaving him in charge of the home place. Mr. Kemp was married on the 30th day of September, 1864, to Miss Gabriella Johnston, of Dayton, Ohio. In 1869, Mr. Kemp built the handsome brick residence which he calls " Spring Hill," from the many springs in the hill, requiring twenty-two drains to carry the water to the main drain. When Kirby Smith threatened to invade the State. Mr. Kemp promptly joined the Squirrel Hunters, and may justly be proud of his discharge from that organization. He has five children, viz.: Johnson, Ulysses Grant, David Franklin, Bertha and Norval Duane. Mr. Kemp has ninety-four and a half acres of land in this township, and is one of our most enterprising citizens.

JACOB KEEFER, farmer, P. O. Harshmanville born in Franklin County, Penn., October 22, 1830 ; is a son of David and Catharine ( Beard) Keefer ; is a shoemaker by trade ; came to Ohio October 19, 1847 ; is farming there ; his grandfather on father's side was a private in the war of 1812 ; his father was born in 1800 and his mother in 1809 ; they had three children. Subject had poor school advantages when his parents came to Ohio they leased a place in Mad River Township. 42 acres


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subject remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age ; then married Ellen J. Coffman, daughter of John and Catherine Coffman, of Van Buren Township, old settlers of Montgomery County, both dead ; he located on his present place of 175 acres, which he leases of George Harshman ; subject has three children living, all at home--James M., William H., Eliza A.; is School Director of District No. 4, Harshmanville. The son James is Township Clerk, helps father on the farm, and was only twenty-two years of age when elected to the office of Township Clerk.

MARY KING, P. O. Dayton, was born in France on the 12th of November, 1823. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Schmerber, also natives of France ; when she was three years old, the family moved to Baden, in Germany. She was married to Joseph King--a native of France, also--on the 10th of September, 1833, he having removed to Baden in his twelfth year. After living in Baden nine years, they traveled in Switzerland two years, and then returned to Baden. In 1848, Mr. King engaged in the Revolution, serving under Franz Sigel. To escape arrest, Mr. King smuggled himself and family out of Germany. and came to the United States, landing at Baltimore. They traveled by easy stages, stopping in various places across the continent to San Francisco, remaining six months; then returned by the overland route to Chicago ; thence to Cumberland, Md., where Mr. King enlisted in the Second Maryland Volunteers ; served in that three years; thence to Chicago again, remaining one and one-half years ; thence to her present place in 1869, where Mrs. King has since resided. Mr. King died in March, 1879 ; Mrs. King has had ten children, of whom the following are now living : Matilda, married to Henry Scherber, living in Cincinnati, Ohio ; Stephanie, married to George Brown, of Dayton ; Gotfried, living in this township ; Theresa, married to Jacob Sobrecht, of Chicago; John, married and living in this township ; Mary, Eliza and Joseph, at home with Mrs. King.

JOHN W. KNEISLY, farmer, P. O. Dayton, son of John and Susan (Whitmore) Kneisly, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., on the 16th day of June, 1826. Mr. Kneisly worked for his father, alternating between the farm, mill and distillery, until he was thirty years of age. Was married in the year 1856 to Harriet L. Kemp, daughter of David Kemp, Sr., of this, Mad River Township. Mr. and Mrs. Kneisly have four children, viz., Carry, Harry, Ida and Clarence. Mr. Kneisly lives in his beautiful brick residence on the Smithville Pike that leads into the Dayton & Xenia pike, where he owns sixty-four and one-half acres of land under a fine state of cultivation,

RACHEL LEE was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 1st day of December, 1801. Her parents were Stephen and Mehitable Dye. When she was three weeks old, her father removed to Miami County, settling two and one-half miles south of Troy, the county seat, and made one of the first permanent settlements in that neighborhood, building a large stronghouse, to which the neighbors all flocked for protection when there was danger from hostile Indians. Mr. Dye converted this building into a tavern, and Mrs. Lee helped to cook for the soldiers passing and re-passing during the war of 1812. She was married on the 29th day of March, 1821, to John W. Lee, of Virginia, a cousin to Robert E. Lee, the famous leader of the Confederate forces in the late war. Mrs. Lee resided during her married life in and around Troy, Ohio, and since her children are married she has resided with them. Mrs. Lee has had thirteen children, and has buried seven of them and her husband ; is in her eighty-first year, and hale and hearty.

NICHOLAS OHMER, horticulturist, P. O. Dayton, is the eldest son of Francis and Margaret Ohmer, who were born in France, and emigrated to this country in 1832, coming as emigrants in a sailing vessel, landing in New York in that year, bringing with them three sons and two daughters. After remaining a short time in New York, they moved westward, via the New York &; Erie Canal, to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Sandusky, Ohio, thence by wagon to Cincinnati, Ohio. Francis Ohmer, Sr., being a tailor by trade, and finding no employment, went to Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, where a member of his own nationality had settled ; he remaining there until 1837, working at his trade. The subject of this sketch, evidently not being adapted


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for the business of his father, was sent to Hamilton, Ohio, and engaged to learn the confectionery business for one and one-half years. This convinced Mr. Ohmer, Sr., that there were other ways of gaining a livelihood besides the needle and yardstick, and be accordingly removed to Dayton, Ohio. with his family, in March, 1837, and located on Second street, between Jefferson and Main, where he opened a confectionery and restaurant. The family of Francis Ohmer consisted of himself, wife and seven children, as follows : Nicholas, born April 17, 1823 ; Michael, Mary, Margaret and Peter, born in France, and Augustus and George, born in Trenton, Ohio, all living except Mary, who died about five years past as the wife of James Sage, and Rosella, born in Dayton and now married to Jacob Kemper, of Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. Ohmer worked with his father in the confectionery during the summer and in the winter in Richard's cotton factory, then at the head of the basin, and afterward in the Cooper cotton factory. In the year 1838, Francis Ohmer opened a branch confectionery in a one-story frame building, corner Main and Third streets, where the Phillips House now stands, and placed Nicholas in charge. He remained two years, after which the establishment was transferred one door south in a new building, erected by A. M. Clark, where he remained three years, during this time Mr. Ohmer was working for his father, who now opened a branch in the building then and now owned by J. Manning Smith (the only four-story building then in the city). Mr. Ohmer became a partner with his father, and to enable him to do so borrowed $100 of Valentine Winters. This partnership continued until the fall of the same year, when his father retired from the business, leaving our subject in full charge and ownership. This stimulated him to extra exertion to succeed, and he was, during the thirteen years he was in the business, the first in importance in the city in his line. When the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton depot building was put up Mr. Ohmer was awarded the eating department, and it has remained in his hands and that of his son, F. B, Ohmer, up to the present time, and is now managed by them. Since that time Mr. Ohmer has became associated with his brother George in this branch of his business under the name of N. & G. Ohmer. They had the eating house at Columbus for thirteen years, and are now the proprietors of the hotel and lunch rooms at Xenia, Ohio, at Indianapolis, Ind., at Terre Haute, Ind., at Lafayette, Ind., and at the Relay Depot, East St. Louis, all of which are justly popular. We now come to the most important epoch in the history of our subject. Mr. Ohmer inherited from his mother and her father, who were horticulturists, a passionate fondness for growing fruits and flowers. To that end he purchased from different persons 104 acres of land, upon which he built the residence he now occupies, near the S. O. Insane Asylum and adjoining the city of Dayton, where he laid out and planted the entire tract in fruit, and the place is pronounced by practical men to be the finest fruit farm in the State. Mr. Ohmer gives his attention largely to the cultivation of fruit for the wholesale trade, and while he is not a nurseryman he sends small fruit plants to every State in the Union and also the Canadas. Mr. Ohmer was married in June, 1847, to Miss Susanna Sprat, of Greene County, Ohio. This union was blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom are now living--Francis B., Edward J., Laura M., Emma A., Mamie M., Charles T., Anna M., Harry S., Maggie U., Albert G. (deceased), Lillian R. and Louis A. Ohmer. Mr. and Mrs. Ohmer visited the East during the centennial year, and during that year Mrs. Ohmer died of paralysis in Washington City, which was her birthplace. Mr. Ohmer contracted his second marriage in December, 1880, with Miss Jennie E. Hassler, of Mercersburg, Penn. Mr. Ohmer's life has been a very busy one, and is still actively engaged at all times. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and a member of the Church Committee ; is President of St. Joseph's Public School Association, Vice President of Calvary Cemetery Association ; a Director of the Merchant's National Bank of Dayton ; President of the Montgomery County Horticultural Society ; President of the Montgomery County Farmer's Club and Vice President of the Ohio State Horticultural Society.

DAVID C. RENCH, farmer. P. O. Dayton, was born on the 12th day of December, 1828. in Dayton, Ohio, and is the son of John and Mary (Croft) Rench. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Maryland, and they came to this


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county in the year 1810. Mr. Rench remained with his parents until his twenty-first year. e was on a stock-farm in Madison County three years ; was teller in the branch of the State Bank, at Eaton, Ohio, for eighteen months ; was teller for Harshman & Winters, Dayton. for four years; bought grain two years for Harshman & Bro.; was elected County Treasurer of Montgomery County in 1860; was re-elected in 1862; served six months and resigned. This is said to be the only instance on record of an important county office being vacated by resignation in Montgomery County. He was then appointed cashier of the banking house of Harshman & Co., Dayton, Ohio; was elected cashier of the Second National Bank, Dayton, Ohio, serving five years ; then returned to Harshman & Co.'s private banking house, remaining five or six years, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and has since been engaged in the cultivation of his farm. Mr. Ranch was married on October 5, 1854, to Miss Mary C. Williams, who is the daughter of Lockhard and Charity Williams. They were born, the father in Ohio and the mother in New Jersey. Mrs. Rench was born on the 7th day of August, 1828, in the city of Dayton, and lived there until her marriage. They have five children, John Charles, living in Chattanooga, Tennessee; James W., living in Toledo, Ohio; David L., living in Atlanta, Georgia; Edwin, at home, and Katie attending the High School in Dayton, Ohio.

MRS. CAROLINE SCHAEFFER, retired, P. O. Dayton, was born in this township on the 3d day of September, 1824, at Harshmanville, the daughter of John and Mary (Croft) Rench. Her parents moved to Dayton when she was an infant, and where she lived until she was married to Thomas Schaeffer, on the 25th of July; 1844, Parson David Winters officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer remained in Dayton after their marriage for fourteen years, where he was engaged in the dry goods business. At the beginning of the late war, Mr. Schaeffer sold out his business and engaged with the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers as Sutler, remaining nearly to the end of the regiment's term of service ; then engaged with Chambers, Stevens & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the wholesale dry goods business ; leaving that, opened a broker's office in Dayton, Ohio, in which he remained until his death, which sad event occurred on the 14th day of June, 1873. Mrs. Schaeffer and family moved to her present residence, called' Floral Hill," in 1859, where she has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer had nine children, viz.: Charles R.. born May 7, 1845, died at three years of age ; Mary J., born 13th of December, 1846, married to W. H. Shearer; Emily H., born on the 14th day of September, 1848. married to E. J. Ohmer and living in Fargo, Dakota Territory; William T., born June 6, 1850, living in Nelsonville ; Ida B,, born 21st January, 1852, married to E. J. Thomas, living in Indianapolis, Ind.; Fannie C., born February 11, 1856. married to W. H. Hoskott, living in Dayton ; Lillie B., September 6, 1858, married to Frank T. Ellis, of Springfield ; Minnie E., December 20, 1861, died August 12, 1872. Mrs. Schaeffer lives in a very beautiful residence adjoining the city of Dayton, and near the Southern Ohio Asylum for the Insane, and is justly proud of " Floral Hill,"

WILLIAM STEEL, carpenter, Dayton, was born in the State of Maryland the 16th day of August, 1812, and came to Ohio with his parents, Ebenezer and Anna Steel, in 1814. Mr. Steel lived near what is called "Trebein's Mills," in Greene County, Ohio, at a time when there were only a few log cabins between there and Dayton. Mr. Steel was personally acquainted with the first officers who ever held court in Greene County, Ohio, and often saw the little log cabin in which sat the court, and the pole corn-cribs in which sat the jury. When he was thirty-two years old, he removed to Dayton, living there fourteen years, thence to the terminus of Huffman avenue for four years, when he removed to the place where he now resides. He was married on the 5th of October, 1837, to Miss Barbara Kemp, Parson Winters officiating. Miss Kemp was born on the 23d of September, 1814, and was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Kemp, early pioneers of this township. She is now living almost on the spot where she was born. When Mrs. Steel was a girl, the only means of travel was on horseback, and she says the girls of that day were generally good riders. They have had no children of their own, but have raised three, viz.: James Duke, Elizabeth


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Valentine and Carry Woodward. Mr. and Mrs. Steel were brought up in the German Reformed Church, and were taken into the church by Parson David Winters. For many years the meetings were held in schoolhouses, barns and private houses. Mr. Steel was one of the founders of the old log church known as the "Beaver Church." whose first pastor was the Rev. Thomas Winters, and heard young David Winters (now called Parson Winters) preach his first sermon before the floor was all laid. The women wore sunbonnets and the men went in their shirt-sleeves.

MRS. E. M. STONER, retired, Dayton, was born in Wayne Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio; on the 30th day of November, 1842. Her parents were Samuel and Mary Strausburg. Mr. Strausburg was born in Maryland, and Mrs. Strausburg in Ohio. Mrs. Stoner's grandfather, on her father's side, was born in Germany, and on coming to this country first settled in the State of Maryland. Her grandfather, on her mother's side, was born in Maryland, and his father before him in Brandenburg, in Germany. Mrs. Stoner lived with her parents until her marriage with Mr. John S. Stoner, which occurred on the 29th day of August, 1861. Mr. Stoner was born in Wayne Township on the 3d day of December, 1833. His father was born in Maryland. and his mother in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner, after their marriage, lived on their farm, in Wayne Township, until 1866, when they sold it and bought the present place where Mrs. Stoner lives, consisting of fifty-seven acres of land. Mrs. Stoner has two children, both living with her--Gates E., born June 6, 1862 ; Warren V., October 11, 1866. Mrs. Stoner's place is situated on the North Miami pike, running back to the Brant pike, two and a half miles from Dayton.

ISAAC WEINREICH, butcher and cattle-dealer, Dayton, was born June 7, 1840, in Bavaria, Germany. His parents were David and Matilda Katz) Weinreieh, both born in Bavaria. Mr. We father was born of poor parents, and was only five years old when his father died. Mr. W., Sr.'s mother followed knitting to support her children, often working by moonlight to economize. Mr. W.'s grandfather, on his father's side, died at the advanced age of 101 years. His great grandfather died at 103 years of age. Mr. W.'s father commenced his business life as a butcher in Bavaria in 1830. Mr. Weinreich is one of twelve children, six boys and six girls. The eldest, a girl, came to this country in 1853. Mr. Weinreich followed with another sister in 1857, arrived at Castle Garden without money enough for both to come farther ; he left his sister in New York and came to Cincinnati, Ohio. where the first who came resided, sought work at his trade of butcher without success, even though he should work for nothing ; was then advised to get goods and peddle ; tried it and failed ; then went to work at his trade in Carthage, Ohio, but as there was not enough work to do, cut wood all winter at $5 per month, then went to Cincinnati and served an apprenticeship at the confectionery business at $2 per week. At the end of nineteen weeks, sent 820 to Europe, keeping the balance for clothing, At the end of one year went back to Cincinnati at his old trade of butcher; hired to a man at Cheviot, Ohio, eight months for $100 ; then sent money to Europe to bring his next oldest brother to Dayton ; then got $18 per month, working in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, until 18361, when his wages were reduced to $12 per month again until August, 1862 ; then went to Memphis in a leather and finding store at $25 per month for two months, and then $50 per month until April, 1863 ; then back to Dayton, and entered the firm of Henry Strickler & Co. for nine months. Mr. W. was married to Miss Ernestine Kauffmann. She was the daughter of Hersh Kauffmann, of Coennern by Leipzig, in Saxony. She came to this country in September, 1857, and worked at her trade, seamstress, until her marriage in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. W. severed his connection with H. Strickler & Co., and engaged with Charles Jacobs, moving to his present place and remaining until April, 1864, not being successful. Mr. W. then engaged in business with his brother at Harbine's Station, Greene County, in 1865. Mr. W. sent money to Europe for another sister. After four years at Harbine's, his health suffering, he returned to Dayton to his old stock yard and commenced dealing in live stock; continued this until 1875. Those yards not being sufficient, Mr. W. was one of the first movers and incorporators of the new stock yards, located in West Dayton. Mr. W. at this time joined


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the firm of N. & C. Jacobs & Co., of Dayton--previous to this time, preferring to live in the country, he purchased the place where he now resides. Then there were no buildings except the house and stable and a shed slaughterhouse. Mr. T. has added a two-story slaughter-house, three icehouses and a number of outbuildings, together with stock yard and scales, where he is now carrying on a regular line of butcher business in all departments unequaled by any in the city, either private or incorporated. The firm is now N. Jacobs & Co., Charles Jacobs having retired from the firm. In 1S67, Mr. W. sent money to Europe for another brother, Mr. Jacob Weinreich, now engaged in the hide business and a member of the City Council. In April, 1870, his father and mother arrived in this country, bringing the rest of the family with them and located in Dayton, and, in 1876, they for the first time, in their lives saw all their children together, and it was the only time, for one week later the only one of the family deceased died in Denver, Colo. All the residue of the family, father, mother and eleven children, are now living in Dayton, and all in good circumstances.

J. CLINTON WILSON, farmer, P. O. Dayton, was born on the 13th day of May, 1826, on the corner of Fifth and Main streets, Dayton. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Newcom) Wilson. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother was the first female child born in Dayton, Ohio, and was the daughter of Col. George Newcom, so well known to the first settlers. Our subject was with Brown & Wilson in the dry goods business until 1855, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Young, of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. W. moved to Van Buren Township, in this county, remaining one year ; thence to Dayton, for one year ; thence to Van Buren Township again, for three years. and then to his present home, where he has since resided, and where Mrs. Wilson died on the 12th of April, 1872. They had ten children, viz.: Hugh M., Nathaniel, Malinda, Elwood C. and Jane E., living at home, and five children deceased.

WILLIAM ZEIGLER, brickmaker, P. O. Dayton, born in Germany, January 11, 1830, and is a son of William and Wilhelmina Zeigler, the latter of whom is dead. He remained with his parents until his eighteenth year, receiving a good common school education. In 1847, he came to America, landing at New York on the 8th of January, 1848. He came directly to Dayton and began work on the farm of John Kennedy with whom he remained six months, spending the next six months making shingles at Vandalia, Ohio. The following ten months he worked for James Sunderland, and then returned to Dayton and was engaged as hostler for P. P. Lowe for four-teen months. From that time until the latter part of 1867, he worked at brickmaking for different parties, and in 1868 started a brickyard in Miami City, where he manufactured brick three years. For the next three years, he worked on Harries' Plat on the hydraulic and then came to his present location, where he owns eight and a half acres of good brick land. In 1853, he was married to Frederica Klus, who was a native of Germany, whose parents are both dead. They have six children, and the family belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Zeigler has served as Trustee and School Director in his township; was Second Lieutenant of Company K, Ohio National Guard, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Order of Red Men.


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