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HENRY C.
NEELY, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Bath Township,
this county, May 17, 1840; son of William and Matilda
(Snodgrass) Neely. William Neely settled in Bath
Township in 1827, locating on the farm now owned by J. R.
Cunningham, which he cleared and improved, and afterward
exchanged for a farm in German Township, this county, on which
he removed and resided until his death. He was twice
married, his first wife being Ruth Paulin, of Greene
County, Ohio, by whom he had ten children, two now living;
Elizabeth (wife of Jeremiah McLain), and Melinda
(wife of S. H. Greer). His second wife was
Matilda Snodgrass, of this county, by whom he had seven
children, three now living: Henry C., James H. and
Arthur. Our subject was reared in Bath Township, this
county, and educated in the common schools. He was married
May 30, 186t0, to Margaret, daughter of William and
Catherine (Miller) McComb, of Putnam County, Ohio, by whom
he has six children: Anna (wife of George Shade),
John, William, Harry, Burton and Calvin.
After his marriage, Mr. Neely bought the old homestead in
Bath Township, this county, where he resided three years, when
he sold out and bought the Satlerthait farm in Bath
Township, living there until 1870, when he located in Perry
Township, on the farm he now occupies, a part of which he has
cleared and improved. Mr. Neely served five years
in the Ohio military service, and was honorably discharged.
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In politics he is a Democrat.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
JAMES H.
NEELY, one of the most prominent citizens of German
township, Allen county, is a farmer and the son of a farmer.
He was born in Bath township, Mar. 4, 1844, and is a son of
William and Martha (Snodgrass) Neely, both of whom are now
dead. William F. Neely was born in Kentucky in
1806, and died Feb. 5, 1880. His parents moved to Greene
county, Ohio, when he was quite young and there he was reared to
farm life and labor, and he followed that calling all his life.
He removed from Greene and Allen county about 1830, when the
site and vicinity of the present fine city of Lima was nothing
but a wilderness. He purchased 120 acres of land in Bath
township, just opposite the present county farm, the land he
purchased being then entirely covered with wood and underbrush,
so that the term wilderness was no misnomer as applied thereto.
He immediately erected a log cabin, in which to live for a time,
and began to clear his land, and was employed in cutting down
trees and rolling and burning logs, preparatory to the
cultivation of the soil, for several years, plowing and
cultivating piece by piece as it was "brought under the harrow."
So scare were milling facilities in Ohio at that early day that
Mr. Neely was compelled to go to Greene county, to the
east of and a little further south than Montgomery county, to
get corn ground into meal or wheat into flower. For one
entire week he lived on cracked corn, an experience which would
now be called starving. But those old pioneers were made
of the material that did not run away from hardship, but,
in many instances, took pride in their ability to stand them.
Eighty acres of this farm he cleared, and in 1871 traded it for
a tract of 120 acres in sections Nos. 15 and 22, in German
township, eighty acres of this latter tract being improved.
Upon this farm he lived until his death. William F.
Neely was twice married; first to Miss Ruth Paulin,
who after thirteen years of happy married life, died, leaving
five children, viz: Bizaliel, who died in the army
of the Union during the war; William P., deceased;
Rebecca J., deceased wife of Lorin Smith, of Lima,
Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of J. McLain of California,
and Malinda A., wife of Stephen Greer, of Bath
township. Mr. Neely married, for his second wife,
Miss Matilda Snodgrass, who was born in Virginia in 1817,
and died in 1877, leaving seen children, three of whom are still
living, viz: Henry C., of Lima; James H., and
Arthur A., of Columbus, Ohio. The others died in early
life.
James H. Neely was reared in Bath township on
the farm, and was educated in the common schools. Farming
has been continually his occupation, and he assisted his father
to improve the old farm, which now has on it some of the best
buildings in his part of the county. The residence is
unusually large for a country home, being 30x40 feet in size.
He always strives to keep the best of stock and to make not only
the best possible showing, but also the most profit out of what
he keeps. Politically Mr. Neely is a republican,
and though in no sense an office seeker, yet he has been chosen
a member of the school board. During the late war he
served in the 100-day service, enlisting in the spring of 1864.
Mr. Neely was married Oct. 29, 1864, to Miss Helen
Mason, daughter of Jarvis and Elizabeth (Hall) Mason.
She was born in Bath township, Allen county, Oct. 29, 1846.
She and her husband are the parents of seven children, viz:
Charles E., who married Miss Viola Cotner, and who
resides in Lima and is in the employ of the P., Ft. W. & C.
railroad company; Junia L., wife of Sermon SHOOK,
of Lima; Jesse, who married Miss Nettie Clapper,
is employed by the L. E. & W. Railroad Company and resides at
Lima; Clifton L., a telegraph operator, resides at home;
Rufus M., lives at home, and Olive L., now Mrs.
Ozro Copus, lives at home. Charles E. Neely,
the eldest son, has taught school four terms. Mrs.
Neely is a member of the United Brethren church, and the
entire family stand among the most respected people of Allen
county.
Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen &
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 |
JAMES H.
NEELY, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Bath Township,
this county, March, 4, 1844; son of William and Matilda
(Snodgrass) Neely, who were married in this county Aug. 19,
1840 (of their family only three are now living: Henry c.,
Alonzo L. and James H.) The father died Feb. 5, 1880,
the mother Feb. 10, 1877. Our subject was married Oct. 29,
1864, to Miss Sarah H. Mason, of Bath Township, this
county, where she was born Oct. 29, 1846, daughter of Jarvis
and Elizabeth (Hall) Mason, early settlers in this county,
and the parents of fifteen children. Mr. Mason died
several years since; his widow now resides in Bath Township,
this county. To our subject and wife were born seven
children: Charles E., Juna L., Jesse M., Clifton L.,
Rufus M., Olive L. and Bessie, all now living except
Bessie. Mr. Neely owns 120 acres of good
land, and gives his attention exclusively to agriculture
pursuits. Mrs. Neely is a member of the United
Brethren Church. In politics Mr. Neely is a
Republican.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 597 |
ELIAS
NEUENSCHWANDER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Bluffton,
was born in Allen County, August 14, 1848, son of Isaac and
Mary (Steiner) Neuenschwander. He was reared on the
farm, acquiring a common school education. He was married, in
1873, to Annie Neuenschwander, who bore him one child—Emma.
This wife dying in 1876, our subject married, on second occasion,
in 1879, Christene Welty, a daughter of Frederick Welty,
a farmer, who is a native of Switzerland, and to this union were
born Sarah, Rhoda, Alice and Catherine. Mr. and
Mrs. Neuenschwander are members of the Mennonite society. In
politics he is a Democrat. His father, Isaac Neuenschwander,
a pioneer of Allen County, came here in 1836; he was born in
Switzerland, March 24, 1821, son of John and Catherine (Furrey)
Neuenschwander, also natives of Switzerland, and who came to
Wayne County in 1826, first settling on a farm there, but later
moving to Allen County, traveling with an ox-team, and taking
fourteen days to make the journey. John Neuenschwander
died September 12, 1838, his widow in 1853. Isaac, father
of our subject, was their sixth child, and as there was a scarcity
of schools here at that time, his whole attendance comprised but
five weeks, and he grew to manhood inured to toil; he was married,
in 1847, to Mary, daughter of John Steiner, a farmer
and early settler of this county; he and his wife commenced
housekeeping in a very primitive way; their cabin and bed were
made of logs, and their table and cupboard of clapboards; in those
days he had to take his grain to the mill at Sidney, Ohio, and at
times had to wait fifteen days for his grist. The children born to
this pioneer couple were as follows: Elias, our subject;
Lydia, wife of Job Steiner, farmer; Samuel and
David, married, and farming in Putnam County, Ohio;
Susannah, wife of Jacob Lugibihl; Elizabeth,
wife of David Sutter, Philip, married, and farming in
Putnam County; Gideon, deceased April 7, 1885; Amos, at
home, and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Neuenschwander
are members of the Mennonite society. He is a director of Richland
Township; politically a Democrat. For years he owned 400 acres of
land, but lately divided the property among his children, and at
present he has 211 acres himself.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
ISAAC
N. NEUENSCHWANDER, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove, Putnam
County, was born January 1,1845, son of John and Barbara (Basinger)
Neuenschwander, natives of Switzerland, who immigrated to
this country with their parents when quite young, and settled in
Wayne County, Ohio. His father is now a wealthy influential farmer
of Hancock County, Ohio. Our subject, the youngest in a family of
four children, lost his mother when he was but five months old,
and was raised by Christian Basinger on a farm. At
the age of nineteen years he commenced to teach school during: the
winters, fanning in the summers, which routine he followed for sis
years. He was married, April 16, 1869, to Catherine,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lugibihl)
Geiger, natives of Switzerland. To this union were born the
following children: Emma, Jacob, Caroline,
Elias, David, Elizabeth, Lydia and
Luela. Mrs. Neuenschwander is a member of the
Mennonite Society. Mr. Neuenschwander is owner of
eighty acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
J. S.
NEUSCHWANDER, proprietor of farm and market garden,
Bluffton, was born in Richland Township, this county, November 28,
1849. son of Michael and Fannie (Geiger) Neuschwander.
His father, who was a farmer the latter part of his life, was born
en route from Switzerland to America, his mother was a native of
Switzerland. They came to Allen County, Ohio, in 1833, and settled
in Richland Township. They reared a family of seven children—four
sons and three daughters. Our subject, the eldest now living of
this family, was reared on the farm, and has followed agricultural
pursuits all his life. He was married, in 188*2, to Fannie
Bender, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio. Her parents
were natives of Switzerland, her father a farmer. To this union
was born one child: Effie Pearl. Mr.
Neuschwander and wife are members of the Reformed Mennonite
Church. Our subject is now engaged in raising garden truck,
berries, etc., for the market. He owns seventy acres of land, ten
acres being laid out in town lots.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
MICHAEL
NEUSCHWANDER, farmer, Bluffton. Among the early pioneers of
Allen County and the first German families in Richland Township
was the Neuschwander family. Michael, our subject,
the youngest of five children, was born June 11, 1823, on mid
ocean, his parents being on their way from Switzerland to America.
They located the same year (1823) in Wayne County, Ohio, where
they remained for ten years. The father, a cooper by trade,
engaged in farming after coming with his family to Allen County,
Ohio, in 1833. They settled on the farm where our subject now
resides, camping out for three weeks until a temporary cabin
covered with brush was erected. The wolves were numerous at that
time, and a fire was kindled at night in front of the cabin to
frighten them away. On one occasion, Daniel, our subject's
elder brother, was chased by them, and, though in great peril,
managed to effect his escape by urging on his horse. Deer and
other game were plentiful. The Indians, who were camped near the
settlers, proved themselves to be good neighbors, and were always
friendly to the family. Later the father built the log house which
is still standing. Our subject was married in Richland Township,
in 1845, to Fannie, daughter of John Geiger,
a pioneer of Putnam County, Ohio, and the children born to this
union are John S., Mary, Anna, Joshua,
Amos E., David and Sarah. Mr.
Neuschwander and wife are members of the Reformed Mennonite
Society. He is owner of a fine farm of 200 acres with first-class
improvements.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
JAMES
NICHOLAS, retired fanner, P. O. Gomer, was born in Butler
County, Ohio, September 6, 1810, youngest son of James and Mary
(Morris) Nicholas, natives of Carmarthenshire, Wales, where
they were married; they came to America during President
Washington's administration, and settled in Cambria County, Penn.,
where they remained five years, and then moved to Butler County,
Ohio, where Mr. Nicholas continued his trade
(blacksmithing) for many years. Our subject, who is the only
survivor of a family of six children, was married February 1,
1832, to Mary Jones, of Butler County, Ohio, a
native of Montgomeryshire, Wales, born July 6,1810, daughter of
Richard and Jane (Evans) Jones, also natives of
Montgomeryshire, and who came to America in 1818, settling in
Butler County, Ohio; they were parents of three daughters, two now
living: Elizabeth and Mary. To Mr. and
Mrs. Nicholas five children have been born: Jane E., James,
Richard J., David D., and Martha A., all now living
except Richard J. All three sons went through the late war of the
Rebellion. David D. served twelve years as county surveyor.
Our subject came with his family to this county in 1833, and has
given his time principally to farming and improvement of land,
etc., and of late years to the sale of agricultural implements. He
has served as justice of the peace since 1S34, also in almost all
the other township offices. He taught singing school in this
community for about twenty years. In politics he is a Democrat.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 |
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