USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 87
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JOHN BLACKBURN, farmer and stock-raiser. The subject of this sketch was born in this township, Jan. 23, 1835, and is a son of Moses Blackburn, who settled here about 1830, and made the first opening on this side. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in the duties of the farm till he was 26 years of age, when he began life for himself and engaged in farming, which pur-
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suit he has always followed ; purchased 80 acres of land in 1871, and moved on it in 1872; it was mostly cleared, and his land is in good cultivation, with fair improvements : he has since purchased 40 acres adjoining the old home place, and now owns 120 acres. He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hall, Oct. 13, 186 -. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are natives of South Carolina, and came here in a very early day ; her mother died at the age of 60 years ; her father is still living and resides in this township, aged 81 years ; they were parents of sixteen children, of whom nine are living-James, John. Tamer, Eliza, Mary, Amos, Joseph, William and Ezekiel Hall. Our subject began the battle of life empty-handed, and he has, by hard work, industry and good management, with the assistance rendered by his industrious and amiable wife, succeeded in making a good home ; they are the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living- Amanda, born Dec. 8, 1861 ; Andrew J., July 7, 1863; Lydia A., Jan. 13, 1865 ; Laura Bell. Sept. 25. 1870; Harley, Aug. 17. 1872; Hezekiah, Feb. 27, 1875; Lola, July 25, 1877 ; Harvey, Feb. 9, 1867, and departed this life Oct. 13, 1871. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have been members of the Brethren of Christ Church for three years, and are exemplary Christian people. Mr. Blackburn only had the advantage of such education as he could procure by his own exertions. Mrs. Blackburn was born May 3, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were both born in 1809; Mrs. Hall departed this life Jan. 12, 1870; Lydia is a member of the same church ; is a co-worker with her parents in doing good, and is a very exem- plary young lady.
MOSES BLACKBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21; P. O. Potsdam, Miami County. The subject of this memoir was born on Aug. 22, 1848, and is a son of Moses and Lydia Blackburn ; his father was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 22. 1812, and removed to Ohio in 1836, and settled on 80 acres of wild land, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 31, 1877, aged 64 years and 6 months ; his mother was born near Hamilton, Ohio, March 25, 1811 ; they were united in marriage in 1833. Mrs. Blackburn is still living, and resides on the old home place. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are living, viz .: Daniel, John, Sarah, William, Abner and Moses ; the deceased are Margaret, Benjamin, Elmira (died Aug. 15, 1879), Lydia, Edward and Hannah. Our subject was reared on the farm, and at the age of 15 he began life for himself, and was engaged in various pursuits until 1865, when he made a trip to McLean Co., Ill., where he remained about one year, and then returned to Ohio ; he purchased 45 acres of land where he now resides, in October, 1873 ; he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Martha Isen- baugh, Dec. 21, 1871 ; her parents were residents of Miami County and natives of Ohio ; her mother departed this life June 14, 1855, aged 27 years 4 months and 4 days. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn are the parents of four children, viz .: Charley, born Nov. 19, 1873 ; George, born Oct. 10, 1875 ; Anna, born Nov. 4, 1877 ; Cora, born Aug. 24, 1872, and departed this life Aug. 26 of the same year, and Harvey, born Jan. 17, 1880. Mrs. Blackburn was born May 23, 1850 ; Mr. Izen- baugh was born May 14, 1822; Mrs. Izenbaugh was born Oct. 10, 1827 ; they were the parents of three children, viz .: Matilda J., Martha A. and Mary E .; his second marriage was consummated with Mary E. Knee, who was born March 22. 1836, and are the parents of six children, viz .: Joseph, now deceased, Awdine, Catherine B., Laura E., Florence M. and Jesse. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn have been members of the Brethren-in-Christ Church for three years ; they are leading members of the church, and are exemplary Christian people. This denomination have a regular organization, just below Georgetown, of eighty visible members, and are presided over by the Rev. George Wright ; Abraham Wright, Elder ; Moses Blackburn, Deacon. Mr. Blackburn has recently purchased the east half of the David Heckman farm, 50 acres in Sec. 16, also a 5-acre lot in Sec. 21.
A. C. BOBBS, physician, now a resident of and practicing physician and surgeon in Union Township, Miami County ; was born in Clermont County in
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the year 1838 ; he is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Bobbs ; his father was born in the State of Pennsylvania, his mother in this State; his father is deceased ; his mother is still living, and resides in Montgomery County ; they were parents of four children-A. J., physician and surgeon, residing in Warren, Ind .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Henderson : and Caroline, now Mrs. Dr. Tedrow. The subject of our biography spent his boyhood days on the farm until he had arrived at the age of 15, when he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. D. Gaines, of California, Hamilton Co., this State ; for three years he labored under the instructions of Dr. Games, engaged in solving the mysteries and science of medicine ; he then entered the Cincinnati Col- lege of Medicine and Surgery, in which he studied two terms ; he then entered the army as assistant surgeon, and finally entered the marine hospital at Cincinnati, in which he remained three years, where he received a broad experience in the pro- fession ; in 1863, he entered a college in Buffalo, N. Y., in which he finished his studies, graduating at this institution in 1864, and receiving his diploma ; he commenced the practice of medicine in Union, Miami County, in partnership with Dr. Hawkins, with whom he practiced for one year ; in 1865, he located where he now resides, and has built up a large and increasing practice, making a specialty of fevers and diphtheria. In 1861, he was married to Margaret Shellabargar, by whom he has had three children, viz., Charles C., Samuel O. and E. A. Mrs. Bobbs is a daughter of Samuel Shellabargar, who is a native of Pennsylvania ; her mother, Elizabeth, is a native of this State ; both living. When the Doctor settled at his present location he was without means, but. by close attention to his profes- sion, has built up a lucrative practice, and is possessed of a good property ; in 1878, he erected a residence in the village. which for taste and beauty in design and finish has no equal, in which the Doctor and his estimable wife have a desir- able home; he owns 25 acres of improved land adjoining the village.
WILLIAM L. BONHAM, retired farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Gordon ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., Feb. 12, 1815, and is a son of Ambrose and Ann Bonham, natives of the same place; his father died in the place of his nativity, at the age of 81 years ; after his death, his wife came to Ohio, and resided with a daughter till her death, which occurred at the advanced age of 86 years ; our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till he was of age, when he began life for himself, and en- gaged in coopering for about fifteen years, mostly in Darke Co .; he emigrated to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Montgomery Co., seven miles below Dayton, where he resided for three years, and then came to Darke Co., April 1. 1841, and tempo- rarily settled in Gordon for less than a year, when he removed to the place where he now resides, in February, 1842 ; his land was all in the woods, but by dint of hard labor and persevering industry, he soon cleared it of the mantle nature gave it ; he now owns 65 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation, with good, comfortable buildings erected thereon ; Mr. Bonham is another of the self-made men of this township ; he landed on the banks of the Miami River, with less than $75, but, by good management, combined with the assistance rendered by his ami- able wife, has secured a competent income, from which to enjoy their declining years, and they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. He was united in marriage with Rebecca, daughter of David and Elizabeth Rittenhouse. July 1, 1837 ; they were also natives of New Jersey, and their remains are interred in their native State ; Mr. H. died at the age of 81, and Mrs. H., at the age of 53 years ; Mr. and Mrs. Bonham are the parents of eight children. of whom four are living, viz. : Harri- son, born Aug. 24, 1840 ; Sarah, born June 29, 1844, now Mrs. Garrett Hulse ; Urialı, born June 27, 1847 ; Martha J., born Sept. 3, 1856, now Mrs. Carler. The deceased are : Amy, born April 14, 1838, died Nov. 10, 1841 ; Ann, born Oct. 18, 1842, and died Nov. 4, 1842 ; Andrew, born Sept. 22, 1849, died Sept. 10, 1851 ; Susan, born March 4, 1854, and departed this life Sept. 9. 1854. Mr. Bonham assessed this township in 1845, for which service he received $3.50, and was also Constable the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham are members of the Baptist
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Church of long standing, are among the faithful ones, and are consistent Christian people. Our subject has given his children good education, and his son Harrison is one of the leading educators of the county, and has followed the profession at intervals for fourteen years. At his country's call for help to preserve the unity of the States, and to crush the rebellious spirit of the South, young Harrison was one among the first to respond and volunteer in Co. B of the 110th O. V. I., Aug. 22, 1862 ; the regiment was drilled in army tactics at Piqua, about two months, when they were removed to the front, in the vicinity of Parkersburg ; his regiment participated in the severe and stubbornly contested battle of Winchester, and after three consecutive days of incessant battle, were obliged to yield the ground on account of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy ; he received a severe wound in the right arm, and was taken prisoner on the morning of the last day's fight, and was entombed in the prison-pen at Belle Isle for one month, when he was paroled, and returned to his home for three months, when he was exchanged, and again returned to the front ; but by disease caused by exposure, and army dirt, he was incapacitated from active duty till the following spring, when health and strength again returned, and he took his place in the ranks of his battered regiment on the eve of the great battle of the Wilderness ; in the first day's fight, May 5, he received a severe wound in the right hip, and was again taken to the hospital, where he remained for some time, and then came home on a furlough ; he recovered from his wound, and returned to the front in the winter of 1864 ; his regiment took an active part in the battles of the spring of 1865, that gave the death-blow to the rebellion ; he was honorably discharged May 16, 1865. Has followed teaching for nine years, with the exception of two terms. He cele- brated his marriage with Catharine, daughter of Hendrick and Elizabeth Barka- low, Nov. 26, 1865 ; they are natives of Butler Co., Ohio, but residents now of Darke Co. ; Mr. Bonham has 79 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation, and his improvements are No. 1 in every particular.
DAVID BRENNER, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Gordon. Our subject was born in Darke Co. April 12, 1838, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Brenner, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Darke Co., in a very early day, and located in this town- ship, where he, the father, lived for two years, when he met with an accident that cost him his life ; he was unhitching a horse in the yard, when the animal became enraged and gave Mr. Brenner a terrible kick in the stomach, which caused his death a few hours afterward ; his mother is still living, and resides near Union City upward of 60 years of age. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted in the duties of farm labor ; at the age of 16, he began life for himself and worked as a farm-hand till his marriage, which occurred Dec. 23, 1860, with Susanna, daughter of John and Barbara Minnich, residents of Montgomery Co. afterward of this county ; he settled on 152 acres of land, where he now resides, in 1861; it is now all in a good state of cultivation, with good improvements, all the fruit of his and his good wife's hard labor. Four children are the fruits of this union, of whom two are living, Barbara and John; the deceased are Mary and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Brenner have been members of the German Baptist Church for sixteen years, and are worthy Christian people, and delight in discharging every Christian duty. To our subject and John Ditmore, whose sketch appear in this work, belongs the credit of making the first open ditch in Monroe Township in 1862 or 1863.
JOHN S. BROWN, farmer ; P. O. Gordon ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co .; he was born in Warren Co., Ohio, March 25, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Brown ; his father was born in Virginia, in 1800, and removed to Warren Co. in 1811, and was one of the early pioneers of the Miami Valley ; he learned the blacksmith trade at the age of 18, which business he followed there, and re- moved to Darke Co. in this township, in 1830, and was one of the sturdy ones who gave improvement and civilization a start in the great wilderness of Ohio ; he followed farming and blacksmithing, till, within a few years of his death, he became disabled and was obliged to leave the field of labor ; lived an invalid for five years,
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and died Ang. 30, 1874. His mother was born in Warren Co .; her parents were John and Elizabeth Snorph, natives of Maryland ; Mr. Snorph died in Montgomery Co., aged about 86 years ; Mrs. Snorph departed this life in Warren Co., aged about 60 years. Our subject assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 21st year of age, when he began life for himself, and engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Sarah J., daughter of John and Hannah Patterson, Aug. 17, 1848 ; her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, and removed to Cincinnati with his parents when he was 7 years old, thence to Warren Co .; from there to Montgomery Co., where he married Miss Hannah Witham, and resided there upward of thirty years, then moved to West Baltimore, and resided here till his death, which occurred Jan. 17, 1874; Mrs. Patterson died in Montgomery Co., May 12, 1862, aged 58 years. After his marriage our subject engaged in farming in this township for three years, when he removed to Preble Co., and carried on a farm for a short time, thenee back to the place where he now resides ; he settled on 80 acres of land partly in the woods, but, by hard labor and good manage- ment, he cleared it and got it in condition to receive the improved implements of agricultural labor ; he has since, in 1858, purchased 80 acres more land, and now owns 160 acres here in a body-all in a good state of cultivation, with good im- provements. His large brick house presents a striking contrast to the little cabin that stands in the yard, which was once their abode. Mr. Brown is an example of one of our self-made men, having begun life with no capital, but by hard work, industry and good management, he has accomplished the great object in life-made a good home, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life, in which to spend his declining years ; in all his struggles and privations, such as pioneers know, he has been nobly assisted by his amiable and industrious wife, and both are enjoying the fruits of their hard-earned labor. They are the parents of four- teen children, viz .: James M., born Jan. 7, 1849 ; Mary J., June 13, 1850 ; Ellen C., Feb. 22, 1852 ; John, Sept. 3, 1853; George W., Feb. 18, 1855; Julia, March 13, 1857 ; Albert, Feb. 24, 1858 ; Dora E., April 1, 1860 ; Arthur, May 7, 1862 ; Nellie, March 11, 1864 ; Libbie, August 22, 1866 ; Nina and Eddie (twins), Oct. 3, 1868 ; Norman L., Dec. 15, 1871 ; Julia died April 1, 1857 ; James M., died Jan. 25, 1869 ; George W., died March 16, 1869 ; Eddie, died March 28, 1869 ; Nellie, died Ang. 12, 1869 ; Nina, died April 30, 1870 ; Mary J., nee Mrs. William Ibach, died July 12, 1870 ; Albert, died Oct. 21, 1871 ; John F., married Martha J. Werts, Nov. 15, 1877 ; Ellenora, married Samuel Barkalow, Feb. 13, 1873 ; Mary J., united in marriage with William Ibach, Feb. 3, 1870. Mrs. Brown was born Feb. 22, 1827. Although Mr. Brown has been very unfortunate in rear- ing his large family, he has been one of the few fortunate ones, having only been sick once in his life, and then with the ague, and he informs us he was never off his feet, and is still hearty and strong though hard work and exposure have bent his frame and iron will, his faculties are unimpaired.
WILLIAM CASSELL, minister and farmer; Sec. 4; P. O. Areanum. The subject of this memoir was born in Baltimore, Md., February 3, 1826 ; he is a son of Leonard and Mariah Cassell, natives of Maryland ; his father was born in 1803, and has resided in Baltimore continuously for seventy-seven years ; his mother died in 1835. Our subject resided with his parents till he was 12 years of age, when he went to Carroll Co., Md., and labored on a farm till his 21st year ; he then removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio ; here he entered the ministry, a field of labor that needed just such material as Mr. C. possessed, for fearlessly and uncomplain- ingly has he discharged every duty, kept inviolate every trust; his calling has carried him from the influences of home and friends, and he has preached the Gos- pel in all of the following States : Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia ; by estimate, he has preached two thousand two hun- dred sermons ; has consummated fifty-five marriages ; for his labors in the ministry he has never received a cent, and is willing to go on to the end, and receive his
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reward from the hands of One, who rewards not with script, but with a free gift of righteousness and forgiveness of sins, a reward more valuable than the wealth of kingdoms ; he is an Elder of the Painter Creek and Ludlow German Baptist Church, which is an extensive organization, numbering about four hundred members, and in this denomination has he labored nearly all his life, and is universally loved and respected by all. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Lucinda, daughter of Daniel and Mary Cauffinan, Aug. 14, 1851 ; twelve children have been given to this union, viz .: Jesse, born Oct. 13, 1852 ; Mary A., born Feb. 23, 1854 ; Catherine, born Jan. 1, 1856 ; Martha, born Sept. 22, 1857 ; Albert, born Nov. 20, 1858 ; Saralı, born Oct. 6, 1860 ; Harvey, born Sept 26, 1862 ; Emma, born May 14, 1864 ; Anna, born March 15, 1866 ; William E., born Dec. 13, 1870; Ida M., born Jan. 1, 1873 ; Irvin, born March 8, 1874 ; Catherine, died Jan. 4, 1864 ; Martha departed this life July 12, 1860 ; Anna died March 1, 1869. Mrs. Cassell was born Sept. 8, 1832. Of Mr. Cauffman's family there were ten children, of whom six are living, viz .: Elizabeth, Benjamin, Frederick, Catherine, Lucinda and Rachel ; the deceased are, Jacob, died February 1842, and three others during infancy. Leonard Cassell and his wife were the parents of seven children, viz .: Joseph, James, deceased, Leonard. Elijah, Mariah and Mary. Our subject has 80 acres of farm land, all in good state of cultivation, with good comfortable buildings erected thereon.
JOSEPH DITMER, farmer ; P. O., Gordon ; was born in Montgomery Co., Aug. 31, 1828 ; he is a son of Frederick and Salome Ditmer ; his father was born in Somer- set Co., Penn., Sept. 17, 1783 ; his mother was born in Maryland, Dec. 22, 1791 ; both removed to Montgomery County, before their marriage ; lived, died, and are buried in the home of their adoption. Our subject assisted his father on the farm till he was 28 years of age, and then he began life for himself, and worked the old home place in partnership with his brother David for five years after the death of his father, when he removed to Darke County, to this township, and rented a farm for one year, and then, in 1859, he moved to the farm where he now resides, when it was a perfect wilderness, all in the green woods, with no improvements ; going to work with a will and determination, assisted by his industrious wife, they succeeded, after years of hard work, in clearing their land ; have made good improvements, and are contemplating building a large brick residence this year. He was united in mar- riage with Eva, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Wellbaum, Nov. 30, 1854 ; her parents were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., afterward residents of Montgomery and Darke Counties ; her father died at the age of 60 years 6 months and 12 days ; her mother, now Mrs. Martin, resides in Union City, aged 73 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ditmer are the parents of six children, viz. : Sarah A., born Sept. 11, 1855 ; Mary, born on Ang. 14, 1857 ; Moses, born March 19, 1860 ; Fianna, born Jan. 24, 1866 ; William H., born July 6, 1871 ; Allen E., born March 17, 1877 ; the deceased are Sarah, died Feb. 15, 1863, aged 7 years 5 months and 4 days ; Frederick Dit- mer, died Feb. 27, 1850, aged 65 years 5 months and 10 days ; Salome Ditmer, departed this life May 4, 1878, aged 86 years 4 months and 12 days. Mr. Dit- mer has held the office of School Director in his township; he and his wife have been members of the German Baptist Church for fifteen years, and are good Christian people ; his grandfather, Frederick Ditmer, was a Revolutionary soldier, and be- longed to a Pennsylvania Provincial regiment, and in one of the engagements of the war, he with two brothers, both soldiers, were standing together in consultation, when the one in the middle was instantly killed by a cannon ball, literally torn in fragments, presenting a horrible and sickening sight to his two surviving brothers. Our subject's parents were members of the German Baptist Church for many years, and died in the triumph of their faith. Mrs. Wellbaum was also a member of the same church.
GEORGE DITMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12 ; P. O. Arcanum. One of the old settlers of Darke Co .; was born in Montgomery Co. in 1813, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Ditmore, natives of Pennsylvania ; his father was born in Somerset Co., his mother in Lancaster Co., and removed to Montgomery Co. at
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a very early day. Our subject assisted his father in the duties of the farm till he was 15 years old, when he apprenticed himself and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for sixteen years ; then he engaged in farming, and removed to Darke Co. in April, 1851. He first settled on 80 acres of rented land, partly cleared, and remained on this farm for four years, then removed to the place where he now resides ; he first purchased 120 acres of land, all in the woods, and, like others who settled in Darke Co. in an early day, had plenty to do, and he informs us he and his wife labored many times till far into the night before they got their farm in a state for cultivation. In 1861, he purchased 80 acres adjoining the home farm. In 1858, he bought 60 acres in Van Buren Township ; afterward purchased 80 acres more in this township, and 50 acres more in Van Buren Township. When he began, his capital consisted of one yearling colt and 25 cents in money : this was the nucleus around which he gathered his fortune; though insignificant as it was, it shows that fortunes are the growth of these small germs, when properly nourished, and, in this instance, we must recollect that Mr. Ditmore labored against many disadvantages. There are many young men who would have consumed his small capital with a few trifling expenses, but the outgrowth, through his manage- ment, has developed itself into quite a fortune, and he and his good wife are now enjoying the refreshing shades of retirement, the reward of their many self- denials. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fryman, Aug. 8, 1831. They were natives of Maryland. Seven children are the fruits of this union, viz., John, born Aug. 4, 1834; Levi, born Jan. 14, 1836 ; Lavina, born Ang. 25, 1837 ; Israel, born Aug. 12, 1840 ; George. born May 10, 1842; Catherine, born March 31, 1846; one dying in infancy ; Israel died Oct. 13, 1855. Our subject has been Township Treasurer and School Director for many years, and he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and are consistent Christian people.
JOHN M. DITMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12; P. O. Arcanum. The subject of this memoir was born in Montgomery Co. Aug. 4, 1834, and is a son of George Ditmore, whose sketch appears in this work ; he helped his father on the farm till he was 23 years of age, and he was only 12 years old when he came to this county, and has been a continuous resident here ever since. He was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Foreman, Oct. 23, 1856 ; three children were given to this union, viz .: Jacob, born Nov. 29, 1859 ; Levi, Nov. 12, 1857 ; George, June 29, 1861 ; Levi died April 22, 1860 ; George departed this life July 16, 1862 ; Mrs. Ditmore died Nov. 25, 1861. He was united with Mrs. Cunning, a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Wendall Minnich, a bishop of the German Baptist Church, and a pioneer preacher of this county, Aug. 24, 1862; eight children have been given to this union, viz .: Noah, born May 26. 1863 ; John 1., Feb. 13, 1865 ; William H., June 12. 1866; Daniel E., March 20, 1868 ; Amanda, Sept. 16, 1869 ; Malinda B., March 11, 1871 ; Sarah A., July 30, 1874 ; Ira C .. Sept. 27, 1876 ; one dying in infancy. Mr. Cunning was born June 18, 1832, and died Jan. 20, 1859, leaving two children, viz .: Mary C., born Jan. 24, 1858, now Mrs. Godown ; Anna L., July 29, 1859. Mrs. Ditmore was born Nov. 11, 1838. Our subjeet has 80 acres of as good land as there is in Darke Co., all in a high state of cultivation, with good, comfortable improvements, the fruit of his own hard labor ; he and his wife have been members of the German Baptist Church upward of twenty years, and are model Christian people.
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