My Genealogy Hound

JOHN N. GEARHEART, farmer; P. O. Troy; born in Miami Co., Jan. 6, 1826; is a son of John and Eleanor (Beatty) Gearheart; he being born in Miami Co., in about 1800, and she in Champaign Co.; the grandfather, John, being a native of Virginia, and removing to this county about 1799, cotemporary with the Knoops, Gerards, etc., the first pioneers of the county. He located on the old Gearheart place, on the west edge of Elizabeth Township, where he lived and died, at the ripe old age of about 100 years. His son John, the father of our subject, after his marriage, located on the farm now owned by Thompson Ely, where he cleared up a farm, most of it right from the native forest; here he remained for many years, and brought the farm into a good state of cultivation; then located two miles north, on land now owned by Mr. Turner and James Gearheart, where he lived till his death, which occurred when he was about 52 years of age. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are now living, viz., James M. and John N. John. N., our subject; lived with his father till 1849, when he was united in marriage with Mary A. Howe, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Rowe; he being born in Pennsylvania, but locating in this county when about 18 years of age; she was born in this township; they were the parents of four children, of whom two are now living, viz., Mary A. and Nancy, now Mrs. Isaac A. Beales. After Mr. Gearheart’s marriage, he located on a part of his father’s place, which Mr. Turner now owns, and resided there some four or five years; then removed to the farm where he now lives. They are the parents of nine children, of whom eight are now living, viz., John C.; Henry R., dying in infancy; Elizabeth E., now Mrs. William Greer; Laura J., now Mrs. Gross, living in Preble Co.; Nancy C., now Mrs. McNeal; William. M. R., Mary F., Nelson E. and Iva B. Mr. Gearheart has a fine farm of 200 acres, and all but 40 acres in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Gearheart and wife are members of the Christian Church, he having been such for thirty years, and she for thirty-five years. They have also had the pleasure to see all their children but one become Christians and members of the same church.