My Genealogy Hound

S. B. Phifer, hardware merchant of California, Mo., was born in Knox County of the “Buckeye State” March 17, 1852. His father, George B. Phifer, was born, reared and married in the same county, and was a son of Michael Phifer, who came from Germany with his father, Jacob Phifer. George B. Phifer was married in 1846 to Louisa J. Heisler, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father came from Germany. She is still living, and resides in California, Mo. The occupation of George B. Phifer was farming and school-teaching, principally the latter. During the war he belonged to Company F, Thirty-second Regiment Illinois Infantry, though most of his service was in hospital work. He moved to Illinois in 1859, settling in Fayette County, where he died in 1870. S. B. Phifer, our subject, was principally reared in Illinois, remaining on the farm until twenty-one years old. He then began clerking in a hardware store, which he continued for seven years, later becoming occupied in traveling and selling goods till 1884, when he located in California, and engaged in his present business, which he is conducting very successfully. In 1885 he was married to Miss Belle Hines, by whom he has two children, Lena B. and George W. Mr. Phifer is a public-spirited man, and is ever ready to assist any worthy enterprises. He is a Mason, a Good Templar, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, Oliver Piser, farmer, and a prominent resident of Moreau Township, was born in Butler County, Penn., March 2, 1827, and is the son of John Piser, and grandson of Jacob Piser, who was born in Berks County, Penn. The grandfather was one of the most extensive farmers in his county, made his own sugar, clothing, shoe leather, etc., etc., and reared a family of twelve children. John Piser was the second child born to his parents, and the first white child born in Butler County, Penn. He was reared on the home place, was married there, and became the father of nine children, seven now living. He was a stone and brick mason by occupation. He located in his native township (Worth), and there died in 1852 at the age of forty-five years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife. She was a native of Butler County, Penn., and died in 1862. Oliver Piser grew to manhood in Butler County, Penn., received a limited education, and in 1850 crossed the plains to California, where he remained until 1853, and then returned to his home by way of the Isthmus. He had many interesting experiences during his journey, visited Salt Lake City, was in a severe storm at sea during his return trip, and was storm bound for seven days on the Isthmus. After reaching New York he came to Pittsburgh, Penn., and from there to his home in Butler County. April 28, 1853, he married Miss Margaret McCandlass, a native of Butler County, born May 22, 1832, and died in Missouri July 14, 1872. She was a member of the Baptist Church. The fruits of this union were seven children, one being deceased: Miriam, Lizzie, Alva, Asa, Everett, Albert, and Jasper, who was born November 22, 1871, and died September 23, 1872. Mr. Piser took for his second wife Miss Margaret Sappington, a native of Cooper County, Mo., born in 1830, and the daughter of Sebastian Sappington, one of the old pioneers of this County, coming here about 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Piser are members of the Christian Church at Clarksburg. They came to this State in 1867, and settled in Clarksburg, where they have since resided, Mr. Piser engaging in farming and stock-raising; also has followed the carpenter trade, and has made a washing machine, a churn and a table, which will be a success, if developed.