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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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JOHN ATEN, farmer; P. O. Jaysville. The subject of this memoir was born in Twin Township, Preble Co., Ohio, April 1, 1823, and is a son of Adrian Aten, who was a native of Kentucky but came to Preble Co. in 1822. John Aten was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, and, upon the 6th of April, 1854, was united in marriage with Lavina Russell, who died Sept. 19, 1875; nine children were the fruits of this union, viz.: Abraham R., born June 30, 1855; Adrian, April 29, 1856; John H., Oct. 3, 1857; James F., Jan. 25, 1859; Theodore C., Oct. 20, 1860 (died Aug. 8, 1863); Emma, July 11, 1862 (died June 29, 1863); William, Jan. 6, 1864; Charles, Oct. 23, 1865, and George W., June 1, 1867; upon the marriage of Mr. Aten, he continued farming upon the old homestead three years, when he purchased a farm in Preble Co., and, in the fall of 1860, purchased property at Arcanum, Darke Co., residing here five years ; he then purchased the saw-mill at Jaysville, selling the following year, and, in 1866, purchased his present property where he has since lived; he has 110 acres upon his home farm, a large part of which he has reclaimed from a swamp by means of a ditch and tiling until it is now as productive as any land in the county. He is one of the self-made men of Darke Co., and has by his hard labor and correct business habits placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke Co. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in the King Hiram Lodge, at Alexandria, Sept. 25, 1850, and is now a member of the order of A. F. & A. M. at Greenville.

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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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