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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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GEORGE BYERS, Sr. (deceased); the subject of this sketch was a native of Maryland; was married to Susan Hetzler; they came to Darke Co. in 1832, and located in Sec. 36, and are prominently mentioned in connection with the township history; they raised a family of four children, three of whom are living, viz., Catherine E., George H. and Joseph; Catherine is now the wife of Peter Fowble, of Preble Co.; George H. resided with his parents until his marriage with Kezia Fowble, daughter of Peter Fowble, of Preble Co., which occurred March 26, 1863; they first began domestic life at his father’s; about two years later he purchased and removed to his present place, but his mother’s decease, which occurred March 26, 1872, made it necessary for him to remove to the old homestead; about two years later, Joseph married, and he returned to his own place in Sec. 25, where they now reside. They are both members of the United Brethren Church, and respected members of the community; they have six children—Peter W., Emma C., John H., Theodore, Bertie W. and Clara E.; Joseph was the youngest child; he was married March 11, 1875, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John W. Smith, a resident of Butler Township, and they immediately took charge of the old homestead and the care of his aged father, his brother older removing to his own farm in the adjoining section; after their father’s decease, which occurred Sept. 5, 1875. Joseph bought the other shares, and thus retains the old homestead, around which cling the memories of the struggles, toils and achievements of his parents during their forty years’ residence, in which the wilderness and swamp which first covered this township were converted, by toil and perseverance, amid unfavorable circumstances, into one of the most fertile portions of the county; in this struggle, Mr. and Mrs. Byers bore their full share, and have handed down their legacies to their children, who, it will be seen by this sketch, are carrying forward the work of improvement and beautifying, and making pleasant and profitable, the legacy of their fathers.

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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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