My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  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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GEORGE CONFER. This gentleman occuppies the post of honor as the head of one of the finest families in Miami Township, Greene County. It is safe to presume that a man’s surroundings are usually the indication of his character, his principles and his tastes. Mr. Confer’s home is undoubtedly the abode of culture and refinement, while by his industry he has been enabled to gather around himself and family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Well educated, fond of books, music and art, the household forms one of the happiest families it is the lot of the biographer to meet. Mrs. Confer is in all respects the equal of her husband, an amiable, intelligent lady, who still retains her youthful appearance, with whom time has dealt lightly and who is thoroughly devoted to her home and her family. The household is a model one and the proprietor enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. A sketch of his brother, William G. Confer, also a prominent resident of Miami Township, will be found on another page in this volume.

The subject of this notice was the third child of his parents and was born February 8, 1827, in Washington County, Md. He was seven years old when he was brought by his parents to Ohio and received such education as was afforded by the pioneer schools, which, however, was quite limited. He remained at home on the farm until after his father’s death, and at the age of thirty-four years was married, May 2, 1861, to Miss Ann M. Johnson. After his marriage he settled on a farm three-fourths of a mile southwest of Yellow Springs, but a year later came to his present place, where, he has since resided. It bore little resemblance then to its present condition, the only improvements being a log house and barn and he commenced at first principles in the cultivation of the soil, which was largely in its primitive condition. He occupied the first dwelling until about 1879, when he put up his present residence. The necessary barns and out-buildings have been added from time to time and are all that is required for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. Mr. Confer subsequently increased his landed area and is now the owner of two hundred acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation, enclosed with neat and substantial fencing and yields to the proprietor a handsome income.

Mr. Confer came to his present farm with a cash capital of twelve and one-half cents. It is scarcely necessary to say that it required close economy for several years to make both ends meet, and in his labors and struggles he was nobly assisted by his patient and courageous wife. In due time the household circle included six children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Maryetta, is now the wife of Joseph Fernando Shoemaker, and they live at Goes Station, Greene County. They are the parents of one child, Cora May. George Albert married Miss Anna L. Fogle; they live at the home farm and have two sons, Fernando W. and one unnamed. The remaining children — Arthur Upton, William W., Howard T. and Susanna, remain at home with their parents. Mr. Confer’s children have all been given good advantages and are well fitted for an honorable position in life.

Mr. and Mrs. Confer are members in good standing of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Confer, politically, is an active adherent of the Republican party and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon current events. He has been a member of the School Board for a number of years and at one time was Township Supervisor. A library of choice books furnishes to the family abundant reading matter, assisted by the weekly papers and various monthly periodicals. The daughters are good musicians and a cottage organ frequently assists in affording pleasure and recreation to their family and their friends.

Mrs. Confer was born April 15, 1841, in Greene Comity, Ohio, and is a daughter of James M. and Catherine (Ehrler) Johnson, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and France. The mother came to the United States early in life, settling with her father in Clark County, this State, and remaining with him until her marriage. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled on a farm in Miami Township, Greene County, where the mother died in 1849. Mr. Johnson was married a second time and is still living with his second wife, being now seventy-seven years old. Of his first marriage there were born three children, only two of whom are living — Mrs. Confer and her sister, Derizah, the wife of John W. Beeth, of Streator, Ill.; the latter has three children.

The father of our subject was George Confer, Sr., a native of Maryland, who married Miss Elizabeth Bowman, of the same State. They emigrated to Ohio in 1834, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by their son William G. The father departed this life in 1857 and the mother in 1871. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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