BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
History of Allen County, Ohio
Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns,
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.; Portraits of
Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies;
History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Statistical and
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.
- Illustrated -
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1885

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	Shawnee Twp. - WILLIAM NAPIER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Black Rock, Erie Co., N. Y., May 16, 1817, son of Joseph and Rebecca (McCaracan) Napier, former a native of England, latter of Connecticut, pioneers of Vermillion Township, Huron Co., Ohio. Joseph Napier, who was a sailor by occupation, was drowned in Lake Erie in about 1827.  Our subject was reared in Huron, Lorain and Trumbull Counties, Ohio, and received a limited education in the common schools. In 1843 he came to this county, and settled on Section 23, Shawnee Township, where he cleared and improved a farm of forty acres, now owned by Rachel Langstaff, and where he resided up to 1856, when he settled on the farm he now occupies, then an unbroken wilderness, comprising 200 acres of land, 150 of which he has cleared and improved.  Mr. Napier was married April 19, 1838, to Sarah, daughter of Adam and Anna (Hall) Hough, of Trumbull County, Ohio, former a native of Virginia, latter of New Jersey. To our subject and wife have been born ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Adela (Mrs. Salem Reed), Harriet (Mrs. Silas Reed), Hamlin (member of the Fifty fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late war of the Rebellion, in which he served eighteen months), Susan (Mrs. Freeman Reed), Hulra, Sarah (Mrs. W. A. Smith) and Mary.  Mr. Napier has served the township one term as justice of the peace, and has filled other minor offices. In politics he is a Republican and an advocate for prohibition. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 794
	Perry Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 745
	German Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 597
	Ottawa Twp. - HENRY C. NEFF, foreman of the Lima Paper Mills, Lima, was born June 20, 1846, in Marion County, Ohio, son of John G. and Catherine (Faurot) Neff, natives of Virginia and New York, respectively.  John G. Neff came to Ohio in 1832, settling in Marion County, where he remained until 1862, when he moved to Lima, purchasing a farm of B. C. Faurot, where he lived for fifteen years, then he sold and moved two and a half miles west of Lima, on the old Richie farm, which is held by his family to-day.  His children, six in number, were Henry C., Howard and Harvey, residents of Lima; Princess, residing in Marion, Ohio; Esther wife of R. E. Davis, a merchant of Cairo, Ohio, and Alice, wife of Henry Bolton who died Mar. 26, 1884, leaving one child, Frank.  Our subject was married, Oct. 13, 1870, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Michael Mauk, and to this union were born six children: Bert, Blanche, Geraldine, Corbin, Bessie and Katy (latter died when two years old).  In 1870 Henry C. Neff became foreman of the paper mills in Lima, which position he still retains.  The mills were established in 1869 and have a capacity of making fifteen tons of straw board paper daily, employing 100 hands.  Mr. Neff is a member of Lima Lodge, No. 581, I. O. O. F. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 715
	Ottawa Twp. - HENRY NEISE, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Lima, was born May 31, 1826, in Lancaster County, Penn., son of Peter and Elizabeth (Shively) Neise, who came to Ohio in 1828, settling in Richland County.  Of their family of eleven children, seven are still living: Benjamin, John, Samuel, Henry, Peter, Nancy (Mrs. Lewis, a widow) and Elizabeth (Mrs. Evil).  Our subject was educated in the common schools of Richland County.  In 1842 he began business for himself, engaging successfully in the shoe trade at Ashland, Ohio, and in the Spring of 1855, he opened a shoe shop and store in Lima, where he has since remained.  Mr. Neise was married, in 1849, to Fannie, daughter of Samuel J. Miller, of Richland County, Ohio, and to this union were born the following children: William H., Hiram M., James, John C., Frederick K., Burt F., Etta M.  William H. is in business with his father and is married to Matilda, daughter of J. Myers, and has three children: James H., Grace M. and Carrie E.  Mr. Neise is a thorough-going business man.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 715
	Richland Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 773
	Richland Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 773
	Richland Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 772
	Richland Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 772
	Sugar Creek Twp. - 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: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 820

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