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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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PHILIP COONS, merchant, Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1839, and is a son of William W. and Elizabeth Coons, old residents of Fairfield Co., but now residents of Arcanum; Mr. Coons only had the advantages of a common-school education, as he assisted his father in the duties of the farm; but by hard labor, which combined both energy and industry he succeeded in acquiring a good average education; he removed from his native place to Arcanum in the fall of 1867 and engaged in manufacturing and handling a general stock of boots and shoes, which business he followed for two years, when he closed out his stock and purchased a farm of 60 acres in Twin Township, which he carried on for two years, when he disposed of this property, in 1871, and purchased 120 acres in Butler Township of Levi Slechty for $54 per acre, and again sold at the expiration of six months, realizing a fair profit; in 1872, he opened a store of general merchandise in Arcanum, where he still continues to do business; he has large double sale rooms, with storerooms back, and carries a complete and perfect stock of clothing, dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes and groceries, in fact, everything found in a first-class retail business house. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Almira, daughter of Benjamin and Susan Founts, May 5 1861; her parents being old residents of Darke County; Mrs. (Founts) Coons was born in March, 1840; six children have been given to this union, viz.: Flora born Nov. 22, 1862; Elizabeth S., born Nov. 9, 1865; Luanna, born April 27, 1868; Leroy W born August 23, 1871; Harry P., born Dec. 9, 1874; Cleo W., born Aug. 25, 1878. In March, 1879, the death messenger entered this quiet and happy little family and removed two of its members from earth to heaven; little Harry on the 13th of March, and his baby brother Cleo on the 18th following. Mr. Coons’ father, William W., was born in Harrison Co., West Va., Sept. 9, 1806, and removed when in infancy, with his parents, to Ross Co., Ohio; here he attended school, and assisted his father in the labors on the farm during vacations; Mr. Coons, the father of the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Sarah Schooley, Sept. 20, 1826, who were old residents of Ross Co., Ohio ; they are the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, viz.: Mary A., now Mrs. Robinson, who reside in Preble Co., Ohio; Henry, a resident of Camden, Ohio; Philip, the subject of this sketch; Ellen, now Mrs. Ford, who lives in Arcanum; Salem S., residing in Butler Co., Ohio; John who also lives in Camden; Samuel, a minister of the U. B. Church, and at present resides in Lewisburg, Ohio; the deceased are Sallie, Mrs. Gifford; Cena, Mrs. Francis; and one dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Coons, Sr., have been members of the U. B. Church in Christ for forty-six years, and Mr. Coons has labored in the ministry for forty-three years, and, although his frame is bent with the weight of years, his mind is still vigorous and his memory unimpaired.

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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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