The Neer Families of Clark County, Ohio

NATHAN NEER, farmer; P. O. Catawba. The above-named gentleman was. born in Pleasant Township, close to the pr: sent site of Catawba, Aug. 15, 1822. He is the son of Amos and Sarah (Cunard) Neer, natives of Loudoun Co., Va. He was born March 3, 1787, and she June 9, 1794. Amos was the son of Henry Neer, who was born in Virginia in 1748, and came to Clark Co. at an early day, locating land where Catawba now stands. He died Feb. 3, 1828. Amos and wife came to this township in 1817, and first settled on the land entered by his father, but about 1825 he bought a small tract, where his son Nathan now lives, adding to it from time to time, until he owned 160 acres. They were members of the M. E. Church. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died April 25, 1843, aged 56 years. His first wife died Feb. 25, 1828, in her 33d year. They had seven children—Jonathan, Elizabeth, Ann, Susannah, Jane, Nathan and Matilda. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Hannah Golden, who was born Jan. 30, 1799, by whom he had three children— Joseph H., Amelia (deceased) and Hannah (deceased). His second wife died April 1, 1835, and he was again married to Nancy Toland, born May 18, 1791, by whom he had issue. The subject of this sketch grew up in the pioneer days, receiving the aver- Verden at qM time, and enduring all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He was married, April 25, 1845, to Mary A. Hunter, daughter of William and Blanche (Hendricks) Hunter, whose sketch will be seen in L. Hunter's biography.

She was born March 1, 1823, and has had the following children: Levi (deceased, from disease contracted in the army), William H., Miranda E. (deceased), Luther, Charles F., Alonzo and Laura. Mr. Neer, when a young man, received from his father’s estate $180, which was his starting-point in life. Two years after marriage, fire consumed what little he and his wife had accumulated. Since that time, by well-considered economy, he has gathered together, year after year, most of the property he owns to-day. He now has 400 acres, which he made for himself, and 100 that his wife got from her father's estate. Politically, Mr. Neer is à Republican, and, although he has been Township Trustee one term, yet he neither desires or has sought official position. He and wife have been members of the M. E. Church most of their lives. Mr. Neer has always been in favor of schools, churches, and all classes of public benefits. He is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and the soul of honor. And it is said by those who know him that his word is as good as his bond, and nothing could tempt him to violate either. In his views he is keeping pace with the progressive spirit of the nineteenth century, and hy his example is one of the leaders of his township, although in his unassuming modesty he does not care to be recognized as such.

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

WILLIAM H. NEER, a well known and highly respected citizen of the village of Catawba, and owner of 380 acres of well improved farm land in Pleasant Township, Clark County, was born July 5, 1848, on his father's farm two miles west of Catawba. He is a son of Nathan and Mary Ann (Hunter) Neer (the former born on the same farm above mentioned), and a grandson of Amos Neer, a native of Virginia and one of the early settlers of Clark County, Ohio, who served in the War of 1812.

Amos Neer was born in Loudon County, Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1817, settling on land entered by his father, Henry Neer. The latter was bon in 1748 in Virginia, came to Clark Coimty, Ohio, at an early day and died in this county February 3, 1828.

Nathan Neer was born August 15, 1822, and died November 13, 1886. He married Mary Ann Hunter, who was born on the adjoining farm, March 1, 1823, and who died June 22, 1889. They had seven children, namely: Levi, William H., Miranda E., Luther, Charles F., Alonza W. and Laura J. Levi was a member of Company F, Eighth Ohio Cavalry, serving five months and subsequently dying at the age of twenty-three years.

William H. Neer was reared on the old home farm in Pleasant Township, and his educational training was received in the district schools, after which he taught school for four years. Since beginning industrial life Mr. Neer has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and is one of the most enterprising and substantial farmers of the township. His land consists of two farms, both situated in Pleasant Township, and although a resident of the village of Catawba since 1890, he still continues the management of both these farms. '

December 29, 1874, Mr. Neer was united in marriage with Anna E. Cartmell, and to them have been born four children: Estelle; May, who died aged sixteen years; Carrie Amelia, Laura Edna and Mary Cartmell.

Politically Mr. Neer has always given his support to the Republican party and has served in various township offices, having been a trustee for a period of eight years and treasurer of the township for two years. His religious connection is with the Methodist Protestant Church of Catawba; he is now successor to Alex. McConkey as class leader and served as Sunday-school superintendent for about twenty years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

David Neer, who has received high commendation for his services in behalf of education, is now filling the position of superintendent of the township schools of Harmony township, and makes his home in Plattsburg. -He was born in Summerford township, Madison county, Ohio, March 22, 1861, and is a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Ellis) Neer. His father was a native of Virginia, born near Harpers Ferry in 1799, and was about nineteen years of age when he came to Ohio with his parents, Nimrod and Elizabeth (Ropp) Neer. The Neer family is of German origin and was established in Virginia in pioneer days. The Ropps also come of German descent.

On the removal of the grandfather and his family to Ohio they settled near Marietta and thence came to Clark county, taking up their above in Pleasant township. The grandfather died in Marietta,, however. The father of our subject was married in this county about 1832, his first union being with Jemima C. Shaul, by whom he had four children, all of whom are yet living. Mathew is a resident of Clark county; Mrs. Elizabeth Archer makes her home in Logan county, Ohio; Mrs. Matilda Jones is also living in this county; and Mrs. Sophia Clippinger is located in Bellefontaine, Logan county. For his second wife Mr. Neer those Elizabeth Ellis, and their children are five in number: John and Mrs. Jane Cooper, who are twins and are residents of Madison county; Mrs. Margaret Smith, of Summerford; Saul E., of Urbana, this state; and David, of this review. The father was a farmer by occupation and carried on farming throughout his entire life. He died in Pleasant township, Clark county, on Christmas day of 1865, and his wife passed away in Madison county in 1874. He was laid to rest in Pleasant township, while his wife was buried in Summerford.

The subject of this review was only four years of age at the time of his father’s death. He afterward made his home with Jasper Botkin, with whom he lived until he was married. He attended the country schools and when about nineteen years of age went to Delaware, where he pursued his studies for three years. He then began teaching in Oak Grove, in Pleasant township, and for ten years continued his work as a teacher in country schools. He next secured a position in the village of New Moorefield, and in 1899 he was elected principal of the high school of Plattsburg and superintendent of. the township schools. He is a successful educator who has the ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge which he has acquired in a way that will leave its impress upon the young mind. He regards education not as something to be learned and put aside, but as a preparation: for life work, something that will be used daily, and with this understanding his own labors have been most effective in the schoolroom.

Mr. Neer was married in South Charleston, August 6, 1889, to Miss Della Cass, who was born in South Charleston, where her parents, Washington and Francina (Bricker) Cass, are now living. She is a graduate of the high school of. South Charleston, of the class of 1885, and for three years successfully engaged in teaching in that place and in Brighton. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Milesi Marie, who was born in Moorefield township, Clark county, June 9, 1891; and Lucile Francina, born in New Moorefield December 17, 1894.

The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Neer served as a trustee of the church while living in Vienna. He is now acting as superintendent of the Sunday school at Plattsburg. In politics he is a Republican. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Catawba, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and with the Knights of Pythias fraternity in Vienna. Mr. Neer is a man of broad mind and scholarly attainments, who has read largely and is most conscientious and earnest in his work, im spring the teachers and pupils under him vith much of his own zealand interest in the cause of education.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.