My Genealogy Hound

ELI NISWONGER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 17; P. O. Arcanum: was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1836, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Warner) Niswonger. His father was born in the same county in March, 1809, and died in the place of his birth, aged 70 years 4 months and 4 days. His mother was born in Pennsylvania in January, 1811, and died in Montgomery Co., aged 57 years. They were the parents of six children, of whom all are living but one, which died in infancy. Our subject assisted his father in home duties until his 21st year, when he began life for himself and engaged in farming, which he followed in his native county until 1864, when he removed to Darke Co., on the place where he now resides. It contained 90 acres, all in its wild state when he began operations on it, but by persistent labor he has deprived it of its native grandeur, and now it is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary H., daughter of Jesse and Eliza Cauffman, Feb. 3, 1859. Her parents were residents of Montgomery Co. Her father died at the age of 48 years and 9 months. Her mother is still living, at the advanced age of 67 years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom all are living but four. All reside in Dayton but one, who resides in Tippecanoe, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Niswonger are the parents of eight children, viz.: Laura Belle and Dora Ellen (twins), born April 17, 1862; Orrie, born April 7, 1864; George, born March 18, 1866; Jesse and Ira (twins), born Jan. 27, 1873; Willie, born April 5, 1875; Webby, born July 14, 1877; Ira departed this life June 27, 1873. Mr. Niswonger has had the honors of petty offices conferred upon him by his constituents, and has performed his duties to the satisfaction of the public. Our subject was instrumental in causing the erection of School District No. 7. He circulated a petition and obtained the signatures of all the householders in the new district some eighteen months before it was presented to the Board, and was rewarded for his time and trouble, and has a good school with an enumeration of eighty-one, in close proximity to his own house.