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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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RILY SHILT, farmer; P. O. Gordon; the subject of this memoir was born in Preble County, March 21, 1835, and removed with his parents to the same Section where he now resides in 1839; his father was born in Adams County, Penn., Oct. 7, 1790, and died July 21, 1876; his mother was born May 31, 1799, and departed this life Jan. 4, 1872. Our subject was reared on the farm, and assisted in the duties of the same till he was 21 years of age; in 1862, he volunteered in Company B of the 110th O. V. I., which was attached to the 8th Corps, and afterward to the 6th Corps; his regiment was engaged at Winchester for three consecutive days, and Riley informs us it was “mighty hot” in that neighborhood for a while; at Wapping Heights, they stood the brunt of the battle, but the mortality of the regiment was not as severe as at Winchester; after this fight, he was transferred to the Ambulance Corps, and many a poor fellow has Riley lifted from the field and carried to the rear; at the battle of the Wilderness, he labored for seven days and nights in removing the dead and wounded, and his horses were out of harness only once, day and night being employed to remove the heaps of wounded and slain; he was honorably discharged from the service of his country, July 2, 1865, having served two years ten months and eleven days. He was united in marriage with Catherine Ibach, Dec. 26, 1867; one child was given to this union, viz., Sarah A., born Jan. 22, 1869; Mrs. Shilt departed this life April 6, 1872. He was again united in marriage with Mariah Flory, April 7, 1873, and by this union have one child, viz., William E., born Aug. 22, 1874. Our subject’s father died in Darke County, aged 52 years; his mother departed this life in Indiana, aged 62 years. He has 40 acres of land where he resides, all in a good state of cultivation, with good average improvements.

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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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