My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES H. NEFF, Cashier of the New Carlisle Bank, is favorably known in his community as a gentleman well fitted for the duties of his responsible position, and whose honesty is unquestioned. He was born in Covington, this State, November 19, 1852, and is a son of Dr. Benjamin and Harriet (Hay) Neff. Benjamin Neff was born in Lancaster County, Pa., whence his parents removed to Clark County, this State, at an early date, settling about three miles south of the present site of New Carlisle. The paternal grandparents of our subject were David, and Ann (Kaufman) Neff, also natives of the Keystone State and of Swiss descent. They spent their last years in Clark County, this State.

The father of our subject was reared to farming pursuits, but after attaining manhood began reading medicine, and in due time entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated. He commenced the practice of his profession in Fairfield, Ohio, but removed soon afterward to Covington, where he practiced two years. At the expiration of this time he changed his residence to Piqua, where he sojourned three years. His next removal was to New Carlisle, where fortune smiled upon him, and where he built up a large and lucrative practice; this in connection with a drug business which he established, covered a period of more than thirty years. In the meantime he was prominent in politics, being first a Whig, later a Republican, and was elected by this latter party to the State Legislature, serving in the sessions from 1871 to 1875. He accumulated a competence and departed this life leaving behind him a good record. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in New Carlisle, this State, and is still living. Her parents were John and Mary (Wallace) Hay, who emigrated to Ohio in the pioneer days, and were among the first residents of New Carlisle. Grandfather Hay conducted the pioneer hotel of the place, and there with his good wife spent his closing years, both dying at an advanced age.

By his first wife, Elizabeth K. Neff, the father of our subject became the parent of one daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of John Patterson, Cashier of the Piqua (Ohio) National Bank. Of his second marriage with the sister of his first wife there was born a family of six children, of whom Charles H., our subject, was the eldest. The next child, Jennie, became the wife of Morris Hayward, a lumber dealer of Columbus, this State. Frank and Millie are deceased; Grant is a druggist and located in New Carlisle; Harley is deceased.

The subject of this sketch, who is the eldest child of his father’s second marriage, was reared in his native place, attending the public schools and spending much of his time in the drug store of his father. At the time of the organization of the New Carlisle Bank in 1883, he was chosen its Cashier, and has since held the position. He is also a Director and a stockholder. He possesses more than ordinary business ability, is cautious, cool and accurate, and already well fixed financially. In politics he is a strong Republican. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Lodge No. 100, in New Carlisle. Mr. Neff was married April 12, 1876, to Miss Corinne Weakley. Mrs. Neff was born in New Carlisle and is a daughter of Edward and Catherine (Gunkel) Weakley, who were among the early settlers of Clark County. Of this union there have been born two children — Benjamin W. and Jefferson. The little family occupies a snug home and enjoys the acquaintance and society of many friends. Mr. Neff, and his estimable wife, stand high in social circles, and are worthy representatives of a community more than ordinarily intelligent.