The Dresbach Family of Pickaway County, Ohio

JAMES A. DRESBACH, a representative agriculturist of Pickaway Coun- ! ty, who has been identified with the: interests of Pickaway township ail his '. life, was born on his present farm of ! 182 acres, on December S. *839. and is a son of William and Margaret (Earnhart) Dres- > bach.

The founder of the Dresbach family in Pickaway County was George Dresbach, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who brought his family with him from Pennsylvania, and at an early day settled on the farm that is now owned and occupied by Scott Dresbach, our subject's brother. At that time the little pioneer home was built in the forest, all the present fruitful land, which is now so highly productive and so thoroughly cultivated, was heavily timbered. Here George Dresbach died, leaving a number of descendants.

Both William Dresbach and wife were born in Pickaway township and the former died on the old farm on which our subject resides. He was a man of prominence here in 1 his day and served as township trustee and in other offices. He was a Republican. His surviving children are: James A., of this sketch;; Mary, widow of Albert Coombs, now a resident of Mount Pulaski. Illinois; George E., of Pickaway township; Harriet, wife of Elias Julian, residing near Remington, Indiana; Milton, of Salt Creek township; Catherine, wife of Nelson Reichelderfer, of Salt Creek township; Amanda, wife of A. Iv. Shride. of Franklin County, Ohio; and Scott, of Salt Creek township.

James A. Dresbach grew to maturity in his native township and in boyhood attended the subscription schools which afforded the only educational advantages the children of his youth and locality enjoyed. His life has always been one devoted to agriculture, and in following this with persevering industry during his active years he has provided for a comfortable evening of life. His farm is one of value and would command a high price in the market.

Mr. Dresbach was married February 28, 1867, to Mary E. Alexander, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, not far from Tarlton, September 24, 1844. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Martz) Alexander. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. They came at an early date to Ohio and located for a short time in Fairfield County and then settled in Pickaway County, near Tarlton, where Mrs. Dresbach was reared. Her father was one of the pioneer school teachers in the vicinity of Tarlton. He served at one time as deputy sheriff of Pickaway County. He died at Circleville, Ohio, in 1891, having been a resident of the city for many years. The mother of Mrs. Dresbach died in 1852. Mr. Alexander married a second time and he is survived by these children: Nancy D., widow of William A. Empie, residing at Circleville; Margaret L., wife of George Moore, of Circleville; Mary E., wife of our subject; Charles, of Columbus; and Emma, wife of Charles Epps, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Alexander was a soldier during the Civil War.

Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have had four children, the three survivors being: William R., James A., Jr., and John S., all residents of Pickaway township.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Dresbach has frequently been chosen for office and has served as township trustee and in other offices. Mrs. Dresbach is a member of the German Reformed Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE E. DRESBACH, one of the best known citizens of Pickaway township, engaged in farming and raising stock, was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, December 9, 1847, and is a son of William and Margaret ( Earnhart) Dresbach.

The Dresbach family came to America from Germany at a very early day, settling first in Pennsylvania. Many of the name can yet be found there among the solid, substantial citizens. George Dresbach. the grandfather of George E., was born there and was the pioneer in Ohio, coming just after his service in the War of 1812. He located in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, and here his son, William Dresbach, was born and reared. The latter followed farming all his life and died at the age of 65 years. Eight of his children are still living, namely: James A., Mary

(Coombs), George E., Harriet (Julian), Milton, Catherine (Reichelderfer), Amanda (Shride) and Scott.

George E. Dresbach was reared and educated in Salt Creek township. He has always been interested in agricultural pursuits and owns a fine farm of 166 acres in Pickaway township, which he has developed into a valuable property. In addition to general farming, he is known as one of the leading stock-raisers of the section. For the past 15 years Mr. Dresbach has also followed the business of an auctioneer and has established such a reputation that he has calls all over Ohio and even from Indiana and Illinois.

On Christmas Day, 1871, Mr. Dresbach was married to Julia Parcells, who was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William Parcells, who is a resident of Leistville, Pickaway County. His children are: Homer, of Leistville; James, of Salt Creek township; Hannah, wife of B. F. Stevens, of Ludlow, Illinois; and

Julia, who is the wife of Mr. Dresbach. Mr. Parcells is now in his bath year. He was one of the early settlers in Salt Creek township.

Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have these children: Emanuel, of Tarlton, Ohio; Pearl, Delano and Homer, all residents of Indiana; Fannie, widow of Shelby Stage, of Circleville; Lewis, of Indiana; and Snow, who resides at home.

Mr. Dresbach is one of the leading Republicans of his section. He has been his party’s chosen candidate for county commissioner and served six years as township trustee, during the whole of this period being president of the board. For three consecutive years lie also served as township assessor. He is a man of standing in his community and enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Dresbach keeps thoroughly posted on all local affairs and is ever ready to cast his influence in the direction of movements assuring better school facilities, better roads and better agricultural conditions.

0SENSF.NBRENNER, one of the well-known business men of Circleville, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Andrew Sensenbrenner, who removed with his family from Ross County to Circleville in 1882 and has resided here ever since.

E. Sensenbrenner was reared and educated at Circleville and at the age of 15 years entered the jewelry establishment of H. P. Lorbacli, with whom he remained for four years, completing his trade. In 1895 *ie embarked in the jewelry business at Circleville on his own account, beginning in an humble way and gradually expanding as custom increased, until now he conducts one of the finest jewelry stores in Circleville, handling fine jewelry, gems and silver. He also keeps a line of the leading talking machines, with up-to-date records and his enterprise is shown in his displaying over his place of business the first and only electric sign in the city. He deserves his evident success for he has won recognition through thoroughness, perseverance and business courtesy.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MILTON DRESBACH. whose valuable, well-improved farm of 167 acres is situated in Salt Creek township, is one of the reliable citizens and substantial men of this section. He was born in Salt Creek township. Pickaway County, Ohio, September 26,

1857, an(l a s°n of William and Margaret (Earnhart) Dresbach.

The Dresbach family is an old and honorable one in this part of Pickaway County, having been established here by George Dresbach, the grandfather. The Dresbach family history is more fully outlined in the sketch of James A. Dresbach, our subject’s oldest brother, which appears elsewhere in this work. Both parents of Mr. Dresbach were born in this county.

When he was but 10 years old, Milton Dresbach suffered the loss of his kind, good mother. He remained on the home farm until maturity, in the meantime obtaining his education in the district schools of Salt Creek township. His whole life has been devoted to the pursuit of agriculture and he is a very competent authority on anything concerning the tilling of the soil or the raising of stock. His farm of 167 acres is in good condition and proves the above statement.

In 1881 Mr. Dresbach was married (first) to Lillie Myers, of Circlevile, Ohio, who at death left three children, viz.: Nellie F., wife of Orestes Mowery, who is a successful teacher in the public schools of Salt Creek township; Clark, a resident of Indiana; and Lillie, who lives at home. Mr. Dresbach was married (second), on December 24, 1896, to Kate B.

1 Holderman, who is a daughter of the late Lewis Holderman, of Pickaway township.

Mr. Dresbach has served for three years as a trustee of Salt Creek township. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. While he has no church affiliation, he attends religious services and is ever ready to contribute to the spread of Christianity and also to advance the work of the public schools.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SCOTT DRESBACH, a well-known citizen of Pickaway County, and a prominent agriculturist of Salt Creek township, where he owns a well-cultivated farm of 120 acres, was born in Salt Creek township, December 6, 1860, and is a son of William and Margaret (Eamhart) Dresbach.

Mr. Dresbach belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this part of the State, his grandfather, George Dresbach, having located in Salt Creek township prior to 1828, probably just after the close of his service in the War of 1812. Both parents of Mr. Dresbach were born in Salt Creek township and passed their lives there. Eight of their children still survive, namely: James A., Mary (Coombs), George E., Harriet (Julian), Milton, Catherine (Reichelderfer), Amanda (Shride) and Scott.

Scott Dresbach was reared in his native township and obtained his education in the township schools. He has always been a farmer and stock-raiser and resides on a part of the old homestead farm. The residence is one of the oldest in this neighborhood, having been constructed by his grandfather, George Dresbach, in 1828. It has been much changed, improvements having been made and comforts added, but the old brick walls still stand without a break. Thorough construction and honest building was done in the days when this house was built, which, at that time, was considered one of the finest homes in the township.

On March 13, 1885, Mr. Dresbach was married to Caroline Brady, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Philip Brady, of Circleville. Five children have been bom to this marriage, as follows: Frederick S., Mary C., Fannie,

Wayne W. and Howard.

Politically Mr. Dresbach is a Republican. He has always been a liberal supporter of public-spirited movements for the common good in his township, and is justly considered a most worthy citizen. While not identified with any religious body, all moral and educational enterprises may be sure of his approval, and his hand is open to assist those who have been subjected to unjust misfortune, and his sympathy is extended to those in sorrow. He has a wide circle of friends in Salt Creek township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.