The Seif Family of Morrow County, Ohio

JACOB SEIF, farmer; P. O. Gabon. The history of Morrow Co. would be incomplete without a sketch of Jacob Seif, whose successful career has justly entitled him to a place among the self-made men, and whose present surroundings are due to his industry and business tact. He was born August 21, 1816, in Baden, Germany; his father’s name was Jacob, and his mother’s maiden name was Margaret Cronenwett; his father was a shoemaker by trade, and made that his occupation, although he worked some on the farm; he emigrated to this country in 1829; his reasons for coming were to save [his children from the regular army, and to better his own circumstances in life; he settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he remained for two years, when he moved to what is now Morrow Co., and entered eighty acres of Government land, which was ever afterward his home; he worked on the farm part of the time, and would sometimes make shoes for the neighbors while they were clearing his farm; he was a very industrious and frugal man, and died in 1840. The subject of this sketch lived under the parental roof until his 24th year, when he married, which was Dec. 18, 1839, to Sophia Neyer; she was born Apr. 7, 1817, in Pennsylvania; they had twelve children, eight of whom are living — Jacob, Solomon, Elizabeth, Aaron, David, Adam, Christine and Caroline. Mrs. Seif died Sept. 1, 1873; Mr. Seif is a member of the German Methodist Church, of which he has been Steward for twenty-five years; has been Trustee a number of years, and was

Land Appraiser in 1870; he is one of the few Germans who ally themselves with the Republicans in this county, having left the Democratic party during the agitation of the slavery question.

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

ANNA CATHARINE SEIF, farmer; P. O., Gabon; was born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 1, 1830; she was the eighth in a family of ten children; her parents were Conrad and Charlotte Peaster. Her father was a farmer, and being in humble circumstances, he emigrated to this country in 1834, hoping to better his condition. He first settled in Crawford Co., near Gabon; but in 1847 he moved into what is now Morrow Co., and remained two years, when he removed to Michigan, and lived there the rest of his life, dying in 1864. Catharine had few of the advantages of procuring an education in those early days, as she commenced working out when very young, and did a woman’s work when a mere child; she was married Aug. 13, 1848, to Michael (second son of Jacob and Margaret), Seif; they lived together very happily until his death, which occurred July 13, 1873. He was an upright man and strictly moral. He was a class-leader in the German Methodist Church for eighteen years, to which he and his wife belonged. They had eight children, seven of whom are living — Margaret, John F., Catharine E., Daniel, Joseph A., Mary H., and Lydia L. Their third child, Samuel, died in Michigan a short time before his father’s death. The property was left to Mrs. Seif, and she is constantly improving it, and endeavoring to make it as attractive as possible, thereby hoping to induce her sons to remain on the farm and not let it go to strangers.

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

GOTLIEB SEIF, farmer; P. O. Galion; was born May 31, 1822, in Baden, Germany, and crossed the bring deep when only seven years old; being the third of a family of five children; his parents and their family history is more properly described with that of his eldest brother (Jacob Seif). Gotlieb lived around the family fireside till he took unto himself a helpmeet, when he bought the farm on which he now lives. His marriage occurred Feb. 13, 1853; his wife’s maiden name was Elizabeth Spigle, daughter of Henry and Catharine Spigle. She was born in Stark Co., Ohio, and is “ German descent.” By this marriage five children have been born, four of whom are living — Henry, Levi, Stephen, and Ida J. Mr. Seif and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. He has been Trustee and held other local offices. He owns 145 acres of land, mostly acquired by his own industry and economy.

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

AARON SEIF, farmer; P. O. Galion; is an energetic and promising young farmer, and was born Aug. 11, 1850, in Morrow Co., Ohio; he is the sixth of a family of twelve children, and his father, Jacob Seif, has his history among the first men who are now living in this section. Aaron, unlike many other young men, did not leave home at the earliest opportunity, but has always lived on the old farm, to which he is strongly attached; he lived with his father till his marriage, and then settled on a portion of the old homestead, which he is improving and making attractive as fast as possible; he was united in marriage May 31, 1877, to Mary Ricker, daughter of Peter and Dora Ricker; she was born Aug. 27, 1854, in Crawford Co., Ohio, and is of German descent. This happy union has been blessed with two children, twins, named Minnie and Tillie. Mr. Seif and wife are consistent members of the German Lutheran Church.

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

PHILIP SEIF, farmer; P. 0. Gabon; the youngest of a family of five children, was born in Baden, Germany, March 3, 1829, and was brought to this country by his parents with the rest of the family when but three months old; he passed his boyhood days in helping clear up the farm, on which he has always lived; when in his twelfth year, his father died, and his life was rendered none the pleasanter by this event, as it increased the cares of himself and brothers. He now lives on the old homestead, where he spent his early life; he was married Oct. 16, 1853, to Harriet, daughter of Henry and Catharine Alshouse, seven years afterward she was called from this world of trouble, leaving a sorrowing husband and three small children — Franklin, Lewis and William. He was again married, Aug. 29, 1861, to Mrs. Rachel Dye, who had two children by her first husband (James Dye); their names are Vincent K. and Nancy. There are six children by the second marriage — Harriet, Ellen, Fernando, George, Michael and Edward. Mr. Seif owns a good farm of about 100 acres; he has been Trustee of the township, and his good nature and sociable disposition surround him with friends.

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