My Genealogy Hound

CHRISTIAN NEFF. This gentleman is one of the oldest pioneers of Tremont City, Clark County, in the near vicinage of which his home farm is located. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight and one-half acres of valuable land, eighty-nine being comprised in the home farm. He is a self-made man as to his financial standing, and largely self-educated, as his school privileges were somewhat meager. He and his estimable wife are now enjoying the fruits of lives spent in well doing, having the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citizens, by whom they are classed among the representative pioneers of the county. Mr. Neff was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., being the youngest of seven children in the parental family, and the only one surviving except his sister Susan, widow of Charles Brausletter, whose home is in Missouri.

In 1832 Abraham and Barbara (Weaver) Neff emigrated to Ohio, traveling the entire distance from the Shenandoah Valley to Clark County in a covered wagon drawn by four horses. They brought with them two sons and five daughters, and their son-in-law, Samuel Ryman, also accompanied them with a two-horse team and wagon. They were about nineteen days en route, halts being generally made where night overtook them, and the wayside camp being their abiding place.

Mr. Neff settled in German Township, the first home of the family being a log house, which sheltered them for several years. The residence in which our subject now lives was then erected, and was the home of Abraham Neff until his death, which took place many years ago. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the township, and his name will long be remembered as that of one who aided in the development of this prosperous region. His political adherence was given to the Democratic party.

The natal day of Christian Neff was February 28, 1816, and he was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this State. He shared in the pioneer labors in which his father engaged, and from his early youth has been engaged in farming. The early subscription schools of Virginia and Ohio were those in which he obtained his instruction, and the surroundings amid which he grew to manhood strengthened and developed the sterling traits of his character. In the efforts to elevate society and advance the welfare of the county, he has manifested the interest becoming a public-spirited citizen. His political adherence is given to the Democratic party. He and his wife belong to the Reformed Church, and she is a member of the Home Missionary Society of that denomination. Both are highly respected members of society.

The first marriage of Mr. Neff was celebrated in 1842, his bride being Miss Christiana Carn, sister of Adam Carn, of German Township, which union resulted in the birth of two children — Adam, whose home is in Springfield, and Elizabeth, wife of John Becker, of German Township. The second marriage of Mr. Neff took place in 1863, when he was united with Mrs. Sarah Flickinger, of this county. The present Mrs. Neff was born in German Township, November 18, 1821, being a daughter of David and Margaret (Venus) Maggert. She was carefully reared by her worthy parents, and after reaching maturity married Reuben Flickinger, the marriage rites being celebrated November 4, 1842. Mr. Flickinger died April 20, 1861, after having secured the high esteem of all who knew him. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He was the father of two children — John, who is now in Tremont City, and Margaret E., deceased. After having remained a widow some two years, Mrs. Flickinger united her life and fortune with our subject, with whom she has since lived happily.

The parents of the present Mrs. Neff were born in the Old Dominion, and some time after their marriage removed to Ohio, this being quite early in the present century. Mr. Maggert settled in German Township, whose forests were yet the haunt of wild animals and still more savage red men. Like all pioneers he endured various hardships, in all of which his good wife shared. He passed from time to eternity in 1846, his wife dying in 1840.