Henry Klepinger

As printed in 1897

ENRY KLEPINGER is a son of one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, and a successful farmer of Madison township. His father, George Klepinger, was born in 1800, in Westmoreland county, Pa., and came of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. The father of George Klepinger came from Pennsylvania to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1815, settling on a farm, which he cleared and improved, and upon which he lived for some time, when he removed to Indiana with his family, his children at that time being John, George and Mary. The Montgomery county farm was in Madison township, and not long after leaving this farm for Indiana, the father of these children, whose name was Henry, died. His entire family consisted of the following children: Jacob, Henry,

David, Samuel, John, Isaac, George, Mary and one that died unnamed.

George Klepinger was but fifteen years of age when he came with his father from Pennsylvania to Montgomery county, Ohio, and upon reaching his maturity he married Maria Loutzenhizer, settling on a farm in Randolph township. Upon this farm he remained until 1840, when he removed to the farm on which Henry Klepinger now lives, which farm contains 172 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Klepinger reared the following children: Susan, Henry, John, William, Aaron and Maria, and had several that died while yet young. Politically Mr. Klepinger was an old-line whig, and in religious belief a German Baptist. While on a visit to Westmoreland county, Pa., he died, in 1858.

Henry Klepinger, the subject of this sketch, was born August 11, 1832, in Randolph township, and was thus eight years old when he came with his father to the present homestead, upon which he has lived ever since except for a short time when he was a young man. Early in life he learned the carpenter trade in Dayton, and remained there about four years, working at his trade, however, in all about eight years. On October 22, 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Harrison township, November 6, 1836, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Bowser) Miller, the former of whom was the son of Daniel Miller, the well-known pioneer of Wolf creek. Daniel Miller was born in Pennsylvania, May 5, 1776. His old family Bible, printed in German)', is still in existence, and according to its title page was published MDCCLXXVIII. It is bound in wooden covers, with leather back and brass class, and contains the family record. It was valued highly by grandmother Miller, who was a native of Pennsylvania and whose maiden name was Bowman.

Daniel Miller and his family were the first settlers on Wolf creek, cutting their way through the woods to their place of settlement. At that time Dayton had but a few log houses and only one house with a shingle roof. Daniel Miller took up government land and became a very prosperous man, because of his industry and excellent management. When he started in life he was very poor, so much so that his wife worked with him in the field. She also made her own bedclothing of flax. From such humble beginning did Daniel Miller and his most excellent wife acquire all their property, and become possessed of a large body of land. Mrs. Miller was born in Pennsylvania January 1 8, 1769, and she and her husband were married May 25, 1 790.

Benjamin Miller, the father of Mrs. Klepinger, was born in Pennsylvania, March 20, 1791, and came with his father, Daniel, to Ohio, locating in Montgomery county, as above narrated. He was at the time between twelve and thirteen years of age. The date of his birth is given from the records in the old family Bible above described, but the date of removal to Ohio is a matter of tradition. Benjamin Miller married Elizabeth Bowser, and they settled on the farm on which David Miller now lives, Mr. Miller clearing up the land from the woods. They at first had 160 acres, Mr. Miller, however, buying more land as he became able to do so, and so successful was he in the management of his affairs that at the time of his death he had property of large value. In his religious views he was a German Baptist, and was in every respect an excellent man and citizen. He and his wife reared the following children: Susan, George,

Daniel, Margaret, Benjamin, David and Elizabeth. His death occurred October 4, 1855, when he was sixty-four years of age.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.