My Genealogy Hound

IRA SEBRING, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1; P. O. Greenville. To the subject of this memoir we are pleased to accord a place to one of Darke Co.’s permanent settlers; he was born in this township Dec. 8, 1846, and is a son of John and Matilda Sebring, who were among the early pioneers of this county, and who gave civilization, improvement and refinement a foothold in the vast wilderness of Ohio; they settled here in this township in 1823, and he has been a resident here ever since, having lived here continuously for fifty-seven years, and is now in declining health, as strength and vigor are gradually fading away; Mrs. Sebring departed this life twenty-five years ago; they were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, viz., Angeline, Malinda and our subject, who was raised a farmer boy, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 18th year, when he began life for himself and engaged in farming; through his own exertions, he stored his mind with useful information, and was prepared to enter the field of labor in imparting knowledge; he has successfully labored in the schoolroom at irregular intervals for nine years, and is among the successful educators of the county; he has 65 acres of fine land where he resides, all under a good state of cultivation, and his improvements are number one and comfortable in every way; he entered the race of life with a very small capital, and by energy, perseverance and good management, he has made a good home, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He was united in marriage with Joanna, daughter of Samuel and Ella Dunn, Aug. 1, 1867; they were natives of Maryland; afterward residents of Clark and Greene Cos., Ohio, and settled in Darke Co. in 1866, where they now reside; Mr. and Mrs. Sebring were the parents of five children, viz.: Samuel J., born Nov. 7, 1868, died Feb. 12, 1871; Elldatta, born Sept. 27, 1870; Oraetta May, born May 26, 1873, died Jan. 2, 1880; Vinnie V., born Oct. 30, 1875; Katie V., born Feb. 10, 1878; they have been very unfortunate in raising their children, as that dreadful scourge, the scarlet fever, has carried two of their little ones from their embrace. Mr. S. has been a member of the Reformed Church for six years, and his amiable wife for a period of eight years; they are exemplary Christian people, and through their faith they see the gateway of entrance whereby they can be re-united with the little ones that have gone before them.