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Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ELAM HARTER, farmer; P. O. New Madison; a life resident of Darke Co., grandson of the pioneer Francis Harter, and son of Solomon Harter, whose biography appears in this work; his youth was spent on a farm in Harrison Township; when 20 years of age, he began to work at the carpenter’s trade, and has followed that business ever since, with the exception of about three years of army service; he worked in the vicinity of Terre Haute, and resided there in 1857 and 1858, part of the time in Indiana and part of the time over the line in Illinois; in 1859, he returned to Darke Co., built a house on his father’s place near New Madison, which house he removed after the war, on to the little tract he then purchased and has since resided on; in 1862, he with others enlisted a company and went into the United States service, being mustered into the 110th Regiment O. V. L as Co. H, at Piqua, October 3, and in the same month joined the army in West Virginia, and was actively engaged in field service from that time to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. We cannot follow them in the long and weary marches, nor mention the almost numberless deeds of endurance and valor in which Mr. Harter always shared, but will mention some of the more noted battles in which he with his regiment took a part—Winchester in 1863, and later the Wilderness, under Grant, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Cedar Creek, and the final siege of Richmond; during the latter, Capt. Harter was wounded; he entered the service as Second Sergeant, and, by bravery and persevering endurance, always being with his company, was promoted through the regular order to Captain; at home he is a Past Grand in the I. O. O. F., and an intelligent, respected citizen. He was married in 1853 to Christina Ray, who is also a life-resident of Darke Co., having been born in Butler Township May 20, 1834, and is an intelligent, sociable lady. They have two children—Junietta, a young lady of unusual intelligence and culture, and a son, Eyevin V.

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This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Darke County, Ohio family biographies here: Darke County, Ohio Biographies

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