IRA PACKARD, one of the old residents of this county, was born in Massachusetts October 28, 1817. He was the oldest son born to Chester and Eunice (Sadler) Packard, both natives of Massachusetts, of English descent. The great grandfather of Chester Packard emigrated from England to America and located at Bridgewater, Mass. To him all persons in this county by that name may trace their descent. In 1833 our subject accompanied his father to Licking County, Ohio, where he grew up to manhood working upon a farm. In 1842 he came to this county and located in Union, now Allen Township. In February 1872 he located in the town of Macy, where he has since resided. He learned the carpenter's trade early in life and this has been his chief occupation ever since. He, however, taught school some during his earlier life, and a portion of his attention has been given to agricultural pursuits. March 12, 1840, he was united in marriage to Eliza J. Bryant, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born of German and Scotch-Irish parents, June 15, 1820. She was the daughter of Charles and Nancy (Mesearvy), Bryant, both natives of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Packard are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Charles C., Thomas J., Nancy E., Bryant W., Noah S., Franklin P., Silas E., Ira B., Laura B., Nelson S., and Sumner D. Of these Thomas J., Noah S. and Nelson S. are deceased. Mrs. Packard is a member of the Christian church. Politically, Mr. Packard is a Democrat. He has been honored with the office of Justice of the Peace two terms, and the office of Constable two and one-half terms. As such he discharged his duties in a creditable manner. He has now been a resident of Miami County over forty-four years, and is one of her most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



JOHN W. SAVAGE, one of the prominent farmers of Allen Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1826. He was the third son born to Jacob and Catharine (Nimenrod) Savage, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. When John was four years old his parents emigrated to Ohio and located in Fairfield County, but two years later they removed to Logan County, Ohio. After residing here three years, they located in Henry County, Ohio. In 1838 they returned to Fairfield County, Ohio, where our subject spent his youth working upon a farm by the month. In November, 1851, he to this county and located in Union. Township. He removed to Allen Township and located where he now resides in March 1860. During his entire life he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. A part of his attention, however, has been given to the stock business. January 8, 1854, he was married Ann Elizabeth Cover, a native of Frederick County, Maryland, born, of German descent, August 4, 1833. She was the eldest child born to William and Lucinda (Hina) Cover, both natives of Maryland. This marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children. Their names are Charles W., William I., Charlotte L., Rosa M., Elmer H., Noah W. and James G. Of these William I. died when eighteen months old. In politics Mr. Savage is an ardent Republican. He owns a handsome little farm of ninety-two acres nearly all of which is in cultivation. his farm is fitted up with good fences and buildings and is a very desirable location. Mr. Savage is an enterprising and influential farmer and one of the honored and worthy citizens of the township.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



LYMAN J. SAVAGE, one of the enterprising young business men of Macy, was born in Allen Township, this county, June 30, 1858. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and attending the district school. He received in this an ordinary common school education. In the fall of 1880, he engaged in the furniture business in Macy, in partnership with his father, the name of the firm being L. J. Savage & Co. They have a commodious little business room well stocked with furniture, and are doing a good profitable business. Emma F. Farrar, daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Rammer) Farrar, of Macy, became his wife November 1, 1879. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of three children, all of whom are living. Their names are Wilham R., Edith and Charles T. Mr. and Mrs. Savage are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge and a Republican in politics.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



ISAIAH SEIDNER one of the prominent citizens of Allen 'Township, was born in Columbiana County (now Mahoning County), Ohio, December 20, 1838. He is the youngest son in a family of eleven children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Rummel) Seidner, with whom he came to this county in 1856. They located on the farm where Isaiah now resides. There the father and mother spent the rest of their lives, their respective deaths occurring May 18, 1858, and in 1859. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth working on his father’s farm. During winter he attended the district school in which he received a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he took up the vocation of a teacher and this has been his winter's employment ever since. He is now teaching his twenty-seventh winter term, having missed but one since he began. In this capacity he has had marked success, as is shown by the fact that all of his teaching has been confined to a comparatively few school districts. Though many improvements have been made in the system of education since he entered upon the teachers' career, he has studied privately and thus kept fully abreast of the tide of advancement, and he now ranks among the best teachers in the county. His vacations have been spent chiefly superintending his farm, though he has given some attention to the carpenter's trade. October 21, 1860, he was married to Julia Ann Landis, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Messinger) Landis, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 7, 1838. Their marriage has been blessed by the birth of but one child, Mary A., born February 7, 1862. Mr. Seidner and daughter are members of the M. E. Church. The wife and mother is a member of the Church of God. Politically Mr. Seidner is a Republican. He has a beautiful home and a handsome little farm, fitted up with good fences and buildings, making it a very desirable location. He is an industrious farmer, an energetic and successful teacher, and a worthy and honorable citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



ABNER C. WAITE, member of the firm of Clendenning & Waite, of Macy, is a native of Union (now Allen) Township and was born November I5, 1840. He was the second son born to Sullivan and Margaret A. (Woods) Waite, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Our subject spent his early life working upon a farm. He received in the district school a good common school education. In September, 1861, he entered the service of the Union Army in Company A, 26th Indiana Regiment, from which he received an honorable discharge in March, 1864. He participated in the Siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. His premature discharge was occasioned by an injury received while in active service. He returned to the farm in this county, where he worked upon the same in summer and taught school in winter, until 1871. He then quit teaching, but continued farming until 1879. At that time he removed to a farm in Washington Township. In the fall of 1882 he located at Macy and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. This has received his attention ever since. April 5, 1866, he was married to Rebecca E. Edwards, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and daughter of Elias and Maria (Duevelbyss) Edwards, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of six children. They are Laura L., Charles E., Mary B., Lewis E., Thomas E. and Margaret M., of whom Charles E. and Lewis E. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Waite are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Waite is a member of the F. & A.M. and G. A. R. Lodges and a Republican in politics. He has held the office of township Trustee in Allen Township one term. He also was honored with the office of President of the first board of Trustees ever in the town of Macy. Mr. Waite is one of the leading and reliable business men of the town of Macy and one of her most influential citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



SULLIVAN T. WAITE, one of the prominent farmers of Allen Township, is a native of the township in which he now resides and was born August 14, 1850. He was the youngest son born to Sullivan and Margaret A. (Woods) Waite, who emigrated to this county from Champaign County, Ohio, in the fall of 1838. He located upon a farm in Allen Township upon which our subject was born. He attended the district school in which he received a good common school education. At the age of nineteen he took up the vocation of a teacher and was thus successfully engaged for eleven years. His vacations were generally spent working upon the farm. His success in the school room is evidenced by the fact that, during his whole career as a teacher, he taught in about four school houses. He located where he now resides November 14, 1876. September 28, 1876, he was married to Maria Baker, a native of Perry Township, this county, born February 28, 1855. She was the daughter of Timothy and Susan A. (Messinger) Baker, who were among the most highly respected citizens of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Waite have four children. Their names are Lillie M., Timothy B., Deborah E. and Charles F., all of whom are living. Our subject and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Waite is a Republican. They own a handsome farm of 240 acres, over half of which is in cultivation. Mr. Waite is an industrious and successful farmer and a first-class citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



ANDERSON WILKINSON, one of the old pioneers of the county, and one among the first settlers of Union Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1813. He was the second son born to John and Delilah (Stinson) Wilkinson, both natives of North Carolina. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in his native county working upon a farm. He, in company with his wife, father, mother, three brothers and two sisters, came to this county in 1836, and located in that part of Union Township that has since been changed to Allen Township. He was then a married man, so, on arriving here, he immediately set up for himself. He located upon a tract of fifty-six acres just north of the present site of Macy. Here he has resided ever since. During his entire life his occupation has been that of a farmer. He has since added to his farm eighty acres more, making in all one hundred and thirty-six acres. He has since, however, sold from his farm some town lots, so that his farm, at present, consists of but one hundred and twelve acres. When he came to the county. he located in the woods, and to develop a farm out of the wilderness naturally devolved upon him a great deal of hard work. He chopped, grubbed, burned brush, rolled logs, plowed and, in fact, did all kinds of hard work which the development of a new country necessitates. He had erected a log cabin in the summer of 1837, and the structure, with additions, though nearly fifty years old, still stands to shelter its occupants. Sept. 1, 1836, he was married to Hannah Rains who died April 24, 1854. Dec. 14, 1854, he was married to Mrs. Martha Sutton. She died March 1, 1876, and, on the 25th of January following, he was married to Mrs. Hannah Baker. In all, Mr. Wilkinson is the father of ten children: George, John D., Andrew J., Charles A., William F., Allen S., Margaret J., Benjamin F.; the next was an infant son that died in infancy unnamed; then Azro H. and Mary C. The first eight were by his first wife and the last two by his second wife. Of those named, Charles A. and Benjamin F. are deceased. Mr. Wilkinson is a member of the Church of God and a Democrat in politics. He has held the office of Township Trustee three terms. As such, he discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. On the 24th of March, 1886, he had the misfortune to lose his left hand - the result of an amputation caused by a cancer that had afflicted him three years. He is now in the 74th year of his age and is enjoying good health. He has been a resident of Miami County over fifty years, and is one of her most highly respected citizens.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



JOHN S. WILSON, M. D., at Macy, is a native of West Virginia, and was born January 12, 1852. He was the third son born to Peter and Louisia (Hurd) Wilson, both natives of West Virginia, of English descent. When our subject was eight years old he accompanied his parents to Clark County, Ohio, where his youth was spent, working on his father's farm. During this time he attended the district school in which he received a good common school education. This was supplemented by a course in a commercial school at Springfield, Ohio. He graduated from that at the age of eighteen. After he had attained his majority he took up the vocation of a teacher, and was thus successfully engaged for seven years. His vacations were generally spent attending normal schools. In 1878 he came to this State and located in Fulton County. During the winter which followed he taught school. In the fall of '79 he began the study of medicine with Dr. C. Hector, of Rochester. He entered upon the practice of medicine at Millark, Fulton County, in the fall of 1880. He came to this county in the fall of 1882, and located at Macy, where he continues to practice his profession. In the meantime in December, 1882, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, where he attended two courses of lectures. June 13, 1882, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Israel and Maria (Hoover) Johnson. She was born in Fulton County, this State, May 29, 1862. To them two children have been born - Beatrice and Ulysses Scudder - born respectively May 1, 1883, and January 10, 1886. In politics Dr. Wilson is a Republican. Though young in his profession, he is a very successful practitioner. He has already built up quite an extensive practice at Macy, and he promises to become one of the leading physicians of Miami County. His portrait appears in this volume.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Allen Township



GEORGE BINKERD, of Butler Township, is a native Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, born near Miller’s Eddy, December 20, 1816 being next eldest in a family of twelve children born to John and Elizabeth (Buzard) Binkerd, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. Our subject was reared in his native state, receiving a limited education mostly obtained by working and paying his own tuition. In 1845 he emigrated to and settled on the farm where he now lives. November 7, 1850, his marriage with Mary A, daughter of John Miller, was solemnized and to their union three sons have been born, viz.: James P., who married Martha McDowell; Jacob, whose wife was Elizabeth Difert, and Isaac E., the latter living at home with his parents. Mr. Binkerd has always made farming his occupation, and he had been very successful. He now owns 280 acres of well improved land. In politics he is a Democrat, but he does not allow party bias or prejudice to control his vote. His property is the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He first worked as a farm hand, at which he was engaged one year and at intervals cleared on his land.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



OLIVER BORDEN a prominent and earl settler of Butler Township, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born December 17, 829 being the eldest in a family of four children, born to John and Jane (Ackley) Borden who were both natives of New Jersey, the latter of Scotch-Swede descent. The mother came with her parents to Hamilton County about 1808 or 1810, and the father came to that county about 1823. They emigrated from there to Indiana and settled in Miami in 1848, of which they continued residents until their death. Our immediate subject was reared to manhood in his native county. He received a common school education. April 4, 1852, his marriage with Elizabeth Benner was solemnized and to their union four children were born, of which only this one is now living - Joseph. May 20, 1857, Mr. Borden suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. November 20, 1860, his and Sarah A. Blood's nuptials were celebrated, and their union has been blessed with four children, these three now living: Albert, Mark and Alice. His father was a cooper, and he learned in early life that trade, continuing to follow it until 1826, when, for five or six years immediately subsequent, he divided his attention between his trade and farming, since which time he has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively, and he has been very successful. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican, and he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee, which he filled in a very creditable manner.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



JAMES BOWERS, of Butler Township, is a native of Scioto County, Ohio, where he was born July 26, 1828, being the only child born to George and Mary (Deaver) Bowers, who were natives of Ohio and Maryland, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Miami County in the year 1848 and settled in Harrison, living there until their death. Our subject was reared in his native state and received a common school education. June 13, 1850, his marriage with Martha M. Sitt was solemnized, and to their union thirteen children were born, of which these three are now living: Thomas J., who married Margaret Kessler; Charles S., whose wife was Flora Ogborn; Maggie F., wife of Ira McLane. Mary grew to womanhood and died at the age of twenty years. Mr. Bowers has always made farming his occupation and he has been very successful in that pursuit. He now owns 220 acres of well-improved land. In politics he is an ardent Republican and always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was honored with an election to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1882.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



JOHN S. CONN, a leading pioneer of Butler Township, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born near Salem, January 24, 1842, being the fourth in, a family of eight children born to Joseph H. and Alice A. (Pierce) Conn, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, the former of Irish descent; the latter dying in 1846 little is known of her origin. Subject's father emigrated to Indiana in 1851, locating in Wabash County, and died there July 22, 1860, since which time John S. has been upon his own resources. He had obtained a common school education, such as was to be acquired in the primitive log school houses of those days. August 22, 1863, occurred his marriage with Elizabeth A. Manning, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Silas and Lydia Manning. To this union one child, Milo P. was born. August 5, 1873, Mr. Conn suffered the bereavement of losing his wife. September 10, 1875, his and Martha J. Webb’s nuptials were celebrated. August 14, 1878, death removed Mr. Conn's second wife. March 11, 1880, Martha A. became his wife, and their union has been blessed with two children, Orner C., and Lettie L. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns 188 acres of improved land. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. holding membership in Miami Lodge, No.52, both Subordinate and Encampment. In politics he is Democratic, and he always manifests a good, live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives. He is at present acting as the Central Committeeman for his precinct.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



GEORGE S. EVANS, a citizen of Butler Township, is a native of the adjoining County of Cass, where he was born December 9, 1842, being the eldest of a family of six children, born to Hugh and Mary (Oliver) Evans, who were natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively and were among the pioneer settlers of Cass County. Both died before our subject had attained the age of fifteen years and he was at that early age thrown upon his own resources. He engaged in 1858 with John W. Miller as a farm hand with whom he continued four years. The next two years subsequent he rented farms, when, in 1863, he realized the necessity of the preservation of our Union, and when the country needed aid, enlisted in Company G, 128th Indiana Volunteer Infantry as private, where he served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis April 20, 1866. He participated in the following important engagements: Nashville Tenn., Atlanta, Franklin, Tenn., Dalton, Ga., Resaca, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Burnt Hickory, Rough and Ready, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Columbia Kingston N. C. September 26, 1867 his marriage with Josephine Tillett was solemnized, and to their union eleven children have been born, of which these ten are now living: Mary A., Nora E., Susanna, Hattie P., Jessie M., Gracie 0., Ira M., Geo. E., Frank 0. and Carl G. The deceased child was James H., who died November 5, 1884, aged four years. Our subject has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful; he owns 507 acres of improved land he is a member of the I.0.0.F., both Subordinate and Encampment, and G. A. R. fraternities. In politics he is a Democrat and he has always manifested a good lively interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he has been honored with the election, in 1882, to the office of County Commissioner, and as a recognition of the creditable manner in which he filled that office he was re-elected.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



JOHN B. IDDING, a resident of Butler Township, was born in Peru Township, August 1, 1847, being the youngest of seven children born to John D. and Susan (Hoover) Iddings, who were natives of Ohio both of German descent. They emigrated from there to Miami County about 1840, locating in Peru. A gunsmith by trade; he established a shop which he carried on about twenty-five years. A part of the time he owned and operated a farm. About 1865, he closed his gun shop and devoted his entire attention to farming in which he was successful, owning at the time his death, a good farm. He died in June, 1880, at the advanced of 68 years. He experienced religion a short time before death and united with the Catholic Church. He formerly was member of the I.0.0. F. fraternity. The immediate subject lived with his parents until their death, receiving a common school education. October 2, 1877, his marriage with Mary Huber, of Lancaster, Ohio, was solemnized and to their union these three children have been born; Edward, Samuel and Mary. He has always made farming his occupation and he has been very successful. He now owns over 200 acres of improved land. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Republican.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



JONATHAN JOHNSON, better known as "Spectacle" Johnson, a prominent citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Connecticut, born near the town of Greeidge, August 8, 1812, being the third in a family of nine children born to Robert and Dolly (Patterson) Johnson, who were also natives of the New England States. They emigrated to Ohio by wagon, coming to Pittsburg, then down the Ohio on a flat-boat, and locating in Hamilton, where they ever afterward lived until their death. Our subject was reared to manhood there, receiving a common education, such as the facilities of those days afforded, such as was to be obtained in the primitive log school houses. At the age of sixteen he was bound apprentice to learn the cooper's trade for four years and nine months, when he engaged in that trade for himself. February 26, 1836, his marriage with Rebecca Miller was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, of which four are now living, viz.: Elizabeth J., wife of Josiah Hann; James L., who married Mary May, William, whose wife was Mary A. Keyes and Jonathan, Jr., whose consort was Phoebe J. Armantrout. July 17, 1871, Mr. Johnson suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. November 9, 1874, his and Eliza J. Wilson’s nuptials were celebrated. Their union was of comparatively short duration, she dying August 12, 1878. October 4, 1883, Lorenia Daley became his wife. In 1849 he emigrated to Miami County, Indiana, settling on the farm where he now lives. Since 1873 he has devoted his entire attention to farming, prior to which time he followed coopering and farming together and he has been very successful. He now owns forty acres, and formerly owned about 400 acres, but started his children in life each with a farm. He is a member of the M. E. and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding a membership at Peru. In politics he is a Democrat, and he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee two terms.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Butler Township



Deb Murray