My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SEBRING, farmer, Sec. 1, P. O. Greenville. This gentleman is another of the early pioneers of this county; he was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 20, 1816, and is the son of Jacob Sebring, who was born in New Jersey December, 1776. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Smalley, who was also a native of New Jersey; they were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living; he emigrated West in 1816, locating temporarily near Cincinnati, Ohio; after remaining here a few years, he removed with his family in 1821 to this county, settling upon a piece of land located in the same section on which our subject now resides; at this time, this county was covered with a vast stretch of wilderness, with only here and there a spot cleared off large enough to erect a log cabin; to assist his father to clear away the dense forests and cultivate the soil gave our subject ample employment till he was 21 years of age; educational facilities were then very meager, but he availed himself of all the advantages then offered in this direction, acquiring for himself a common-school education. He has been twice married, first to Matilda Clark, Nov. 23, 1837; they were the parents of five children, three of whom are still living; the father and children were soon called upon to mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and loving mother. About five years later, Mr. Sebring celebrated his second marriage, with Malinda Gower, Nov. 15, 1858; they are the parents of three children, all of whom the swift messenger of death has visited and consigned to the silent tomb; he now owns a beautiful farm, the result of his own industry and frugality, assisted by his kind companions, and is surrounded with everything that tends to lighten the burdens of declining life.