My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH NEFF, farmer; P. O. Gettysburg; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1838, and is a son of Michael and Barbara Neff; his father was born in Kentucky in 1800, and his mother in Montgomery County; they were the parents of five children, of whom four are living, viz., Sarah, Eva, Jonathan and our subject; Aaron; deceased ; Mrs. Neff departed this life in 1840; Mr. Neff was previously married to a Miss Weaver, and had four children, viz., Abraham, Michael, Elizabeth and Margaret; and by a third wife he had two children, viz.: George and Susannah; Mr. Neff departed this life in 1851. Our subject was reared on the farm, and he was deprived of a mother’s love and tender care when only 2 years old, and at the age of 13 he lost his father; thus young Joseph was thrown almost entirely on his own resources; he remained on the old home place with his brother Abraham till his 18th year, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith for three years, but only served nine months, on account of dissatisfaction, when he left, and afterward finished his apprenticeship with a man by the name of Heckahorn; after this, in 1859, he went to his brother-in-law, George Hepner, and worked for three years on the farm as laborer. At the expiration of this time, he united his destiny and fortune at the marriage altar with Elizabeth Frantz, March 16, 1862; her father was born in Virginia Feb. 5, 1800; her mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and departed this life April 3, 1876; they were the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living, viz., Mary A., Catherine, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, Henry, Jonas and William; the deceased are Levi, Daniel and Lydia. After our subject’s marriage, he resumed his trade in Montgomery County, which he followed for nine years, and was very successful; in 1871, he removed to Darke County, and on the place where he now resides, he purchased 63 acres of improved land, and at present it is in a good state of cultivation, and well improved; he is another of Darke County’s self-made men, having begun life with small capital, yet, by energy and good management, combined with the assistance rendered by his amiable and industrious wife, has overcome the difficulties of life, and has a good home, and is surrounded by the comforts of life; they are the parents of six children, of whom five are living, viz.: Francis W., born April 2, 1863, and departed this life Aug. 1, 1870; Jonathan P., Sept. 8, 1864; Abraham L., Nov. 12, 1866; Barbara A., May 15, 1869; Eva M., May 6, 1875. Mrs. Neff was born April 28, 1835; he and his good wife have been members of the German Baptist Church for twelve years, and are greatly interested in their church.