In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions (1915), A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography (1900)
ALLEN GARBER.
Allen Garber is a leading farmer and representative citizen of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, whose home is on section 16. He evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is engaged, and success is attending his efforts toward acquiring a competency. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its cultivation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner.
Mr. Garber was born in Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, February 6, 1838, and is a son of Jonathan and Catharine (Rife) Garber, who was born, reared and married in Rockingham county, Virginia. At an early day they came to Montgomery county, this state and first located in Madison township, but subsequently spent some time in Perry township, and then returned to Madison township, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. Both were faithful members of the Dunkard church, and the father was a Democrat in politics. He died at the age of seventy-six years, his wife at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of seventeen children, two of whom died in infancy, but the others, six sons and nine daughters, are still living. One resides in Indiana, two in Illinois, and the others in Montgomery, Preble and Darke counties, Ohio. All are married except two daughters. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject, John Garber and Jacob Rife, were natives of Germany, and when young men came to the United States, locating in Virginia, where they married and reared families. In religious belief they were Dunkards. John Garber spent his last days in Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he died at about the age of seventy-seven years.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest of the living children in his father’s family. He attended the public schools of Montgomery county during the winter months and assisted in the work of the home farm in early life, remaining under the parental roof until he was married, in 1867, to Miss Catharine Kimmel. Both children born of that union died in infancy. Mr. Garber was again married, March 21, 1876, his second union being with Miss Adaline Hapner, by whom he has five children: Lee R., now a typewriter operator in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Alpha, Virgil M., Nina I. and Vinia B., all at home.
In 1867 Mr. Garber came to Preble county and first located on section 29, Harrison township, where he made his home for two years. At the end of that time he removed to the west part of section 16, but now resides on the east half of the same section. He has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with farming he was engaged in the farm-implement business in West Sonora from 1878 to 1884, but now gives his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he takes an active and prominent part in local politics, being three times elected township trustee, and serving as land appraiser in 1889 and 1890. He is well and favorably known and has a host of warm friends in the community where he has so long made his home.
As printed in A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ALLEN GARBER.
In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competency and a substantial career on the part of the average farmer, fighting the everyday battles of life, there is little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter. There are noble and moral lessons in the lives of the man, who without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true heart, wins fortune and gains not only a temporary reward for his toil but also that which is better and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom his sphere of active life has placed him in contact. Such a man is Allen Garber, a retired farmer of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio.
Allen Garber was born on February 6, 1838, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jonathan and Katherine (Rife) Garber, who were the parents of seventeen children, Calvin B., born on December 18, 1836, died in infancy; Allen, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Comer, born on October 19, 1839, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Miller, born on December 10, 1840, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Kimmel, born on April 4, 1842, deceased; Daniel B., born on May 1 2, 1843, now living in Darke county, Ohio; Jacob B., born on June 23, 1844, living in Auburn, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Bowman, born on March 28, 1846, deceased; Elizabeth B., born on January 1, 1848, now living on the home place; Catherine, born on April 30, 1849, also living on the home place; Mrs. Hetty Miller, born on July 14, 1850, now living in Jefferson township; Mrs. Barbara Miller, born on September 27, 1851, now living in Monroe township; Mrs. Rachel Kuhns, born on April 30, 1854, now living in
Montgomery county; Jonathan, born on February 17, 1856, now living in Montgomery county; Samuel, born on April 25, 1858, now living in Montgomery county; George, born on January 6, 1860, also living in Montgomery county, and Ruth, born on November 24, 1861, deceased. George, Elizabeth and Catherine own the home farm where the three live together.
Jonathan Garber was born in 1814 in Rockingham county, Virginia. He was a shoemaker by trade, having learned this trade in Virginia. He came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Montgomery county, where he engaged in farming, and where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1890. His wife was born in 1815 in Rockingham county, Virginia and died in 1874.
Allen Garber was devoted to the farm from the time he was old enough to do odd chores. He attended the district schools of Montgomery county but was compelled to work most of the time and it was not possible for him to obtain a very liberal education. He came to Preble county, Ohio, October 27, 1867, and began farming his father's land. He rented for a time and then purchased one hundred and five acres. Mr. Garber now owns two hundred and ten acres in Harrison township, comprising a well-improved farm. During the period of his active career he was an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle and made many exhibits at Darke and Preble county fairs. At one time he was engaged in the implement business at West Sonora and sold the first wheat binder that came into Preble county. Mr. Garber has lately moved to his modem home situated on ten acres of land in section 22 of Harrison township and here he will spend the remaining days of his life, surrounded by all of the comforts which his early toil has won.
Allen Garber has been married twice, the first time, in 1867, to Katherine Kimmel, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and who died in 1871. Two children were born to this union, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Garber married, secondly, in 1876, Adeline I. Hapner, who was born on March 1, 1845, m Warren county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Morgan M. and Minerva (Snorf) Hapner, the former of whom was born, November 12, 1818, in Preble county, and died on August 15, 1851, and the latter of whom was born on May 9, 1823, in Warren county and died on January 22, 1906.
To Allen and Adeline (Hapner) Garber, five children have been born, as follows: Lee R., of Indianapolis, Indiana; Alpharati, who lives at home; Virgil, of Harrison township; Mrs. Nina Hecathorne, of Eaton, Ohio, and Mrs. Vina Rider, who lives on the home place.
Mr. Garber is a Democrat and at one time was trustee of Harrison township, a position which he filled with credit to himself and to the people who elected him to this position. He is an active member of the agricultural board and is recognized as a man familiar with all the “ins and outs” of farming, his advice frequently being sought by young farmers of the present generation. He is highly respected and honored by nil the citizens of the locality wherein he resides.
As printed in History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.