In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1905) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1820, Champaign county
From History of western Ohio and Auglaize County (1905), History of Auglaize County, Ohio : with the Indian history of Wapakoneta, and the first settlement of the county (1880)
John Blew was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1820, and came with his father to this county in June, 1824, and settled in St. Marys. His mother came to the county in 1818, and was present when the treaty was made with the Indians at that place. Mr. Blew had sixteen horses stolen by the Indians which he never recovered. He relates the means by which he obtained his first gnu. An Indian having died in the neighborhood, was not buried, but his body was placed in a tree. Here his gun and bow and arrows were placed by his side. In the course of time the gun fell to the ground, where it was found by Mr. Blew. He was well acquainted with John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, who planted a nursery on the farm of Mr. Dowty, now owned by Michael Cabal. Mr. Blew refers to those as the days in which "coon" fur supplied the place of wool, and was manipulated by the spinningwheels and knitting needles of the women.
Henry L. Brandenburg was born in Maryland in 1805. He first settled in Montgomery County in 1815, removing to St.
Maiys in 1833. He married Elizabeth Benner in 183*7, raising a family of three children, two of whom are still living. He is at present living with his daughter, Mrs. Hagerman. Mr. Brandenburg being one of the early settlers, commenced life in the woods, doing much of his work in the night, by the light of a burning brush-heap.
Thomas McKee was born in 1801. He settled in St. Marys township about 1824-25, on section 10. He married Anna Reynolds in 1827, and died December, 1875, leaving a family of seven children, four by the first, and three by the last marriage.
Henry Smith was born in Delaware. He came from Hamilton County, Ohio, to St. Marys township in 1820-21. He married Elizabeth Hinkle, and raised a family of eight children, all of whom were born in the township except one. They are all residents of the county.
James Phillips was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1811. He came to Ohio and located at St. Marys in 1844, where he has since lived with the exception of two years, he worked at silversmithing in Piqua, Ohio. He married Sarah E. Helm. Their family consisted of six children, two of whom are still living, viz., Josephine and Sarah.
Christopher Graber was born in Germany in 1798, came to America in 1829. He entered 120 acres of land and settled near New Bremen. His family consisted of wife and four children; they were among the first settlers of that part of the township. Mr. Graber died in 1862.
Henry Henke was born in Hanover, Germany September 26, 1812, where he resided until his twenty-seventh year, when he came to St. Marys township, this county, where he has since resided. In July, 1843, he married Louisa Stroaffer. They have reared a family of nine children, all of whom are still living.
Hon. Samuel R. Mott was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 26, 1818, and came to St. Marys in 1833, learned the mason trade, at which he worked until 1836, when he volunteered with a company to go to Texas, where he served until July, 1837. After his return he worked at his trade until 1840, when he entered upon the study of law with his brother, G. N. Mott, now of California. In J 842 opened a law office in St. Marys, was married the next year, and at the annual election was chosen prosecuting attorney. In 1846 he entered the mercantile business, and at the organization of this county in 1848, was elected to the Ohio Legislature from Allen, Auglaize, and Mercer counties. In 1861 entered the army as captain of Company E, twentieth regiment, in the three months' service. Again he entered the thirty-first regiment as captain of Company C, but after one year was appointed colonel of the one hundred and eighteenth regiment, in which capacity he served until February, 1864, when on the advice of Surgeon W. H. Phillips, of Kenton, he resigned on account of failing health. He is still engaged in the profession of law.
Hon.Wm. Sawyer commenced work as a blacksmith's apprentice in Dajton in 1816, when fifteen years of age. After learning the trade he worked at Dayton and Grand Rapids, Michigan, but in 1829 came to Miamisburg, O., and established himself in business. During his residence here he served five terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, and became Speaker of the House during 1835-6. In 1838 and '40 he was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by Patrick G. Goode. In 1843 he moved to St. Marys, and the next year was elected to Congress and reelected in 1846. In 1850 lie served as member of the Constitutional Convention, and in Oct. 1855, was elected to the House of Representatives from Auglaize County. The same year he was appointed Receiver of the Land Office for the Ottertail District of Minnesota by President Pierce, and reappointed by President Buchanan, and served until the inauguration of President Lincoln. In 1869 he was appointed a Trustee of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College by Governor Hayes. He also served as Mayor and Justice of the Peace in St. Marys during a long series of 3Tears.
Frederick Koop was born in Hanover, Ger., January 14, 1801, and came to Cincinnati in 1831, where he lived nearly four years, when he came to St. Mail's township and settled in section 33. He built a hotel on his farm on the St. Marys and New Bremen road, which he conducted eighteen years. The old building still stands, a landmark of the pioneer times. He reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. K. is still in enjoyment of good health, and has by industry acquired a good home, and merits in his age the good name his neighbors so willingly accord him.
Judge Edward M. Phelps was born in Woodbury, Litchfield County, Conn., Nov 13, 113. In 1833 he graduated at Kenyon College, and in 1836 moved to St. Marys, Ohio. In 1>3S he was elected Treasurer of Mercer County, which office he retained until 1844. From 1855 to 1859 he was a member of the Ohio Senate from this district. In May, 1869, he became Judge of the Common Pleas Court, which position he retained until May, 1*79. He has thus been one of the most influential citizens, as well as one of the earliest settlers of the county. He still resides at St. Marys, and is engaged in the practice of law.
As printed in History of Auglaize County, Ohio : with the Indian history of Wapakoneta, and the first settlement of the county (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
John Blew was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1820, and came with his father to this county in June, 1824, and settled in St. Mary's. His mother came to the county in 1818, and was present when the treaty was made with the Indians at that place. Mr. Blew had sixteen horses stolen by the Indians which he never recovered. He relates the means by which he obtained his first gun. An Indian having died in the neighborhood, was not buried, but his body was placed in a tree. Here his gun and bow and arrows were placed by his side. In the course of time the gun fell to the ground, where it was found by Mr. Blew. He was well acquainted with John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, who planted a nursery on the farm of Mr. Oowty.. now owned by Michael Cabal. Mr. Blew refers to those days in which "coon" fur supplied the place of wool, and was manipulated by spinning wheels and knitting needles of the women. Mr. Blew died December 2, 1876.
(From Sutton's History of Auglaize County.)
The Armstrongs. This hardy pioneer family moved to the army post at St. Mary's in 1818. Judge John Armstrong came up from Greenville, Ohio, in June of that year and built a cabin on the west branch of the St. Mary's River. Like the other pioneers, he appropriated a portion of the land that had been cleared by the armies stationed at the post. A number of good horses that he brought with him were all stolen by the Indians. Of all those who moved into the township in that year, and for several years afterward, Judge Armstrong was the man of course, good sense, and integrity. These traits of character were oon recognized, and he thereby became the master spirit of the community and of Mercer county. Judge Phelps, in his History-of Mercer County, says, "So late as 1836, when I came here. Judge Armstrong was the man of most force, largest influence, and Ijest informed citizen whom I met He was during the latter years of his life and at the time of his death, judge. He died in 1839.''
David Armstrong, son of Judge Armstrong, was born in Virginia in 1800. A few years after his birth the family moved to Jackson county, Ohio, and five years later to Greenville, Ohio. When the Edsalls came up from Greenville in 1818, David Armstrong accompanied them. His citizenship, of the township and town, dates from that summer. He immediately entered upon a business career, which terminated only at his death at the early age of thirty-three years. He and his father engaged in boat building, and boating, between St. Mary's and Fort Wayne. In the meantime Judge Armstrong purchased a farm southwest of St. Mary*s, ever since known as the Armstrong farm. David and his cousin William Armstrong for a time did a large business in the purchase and transportation of goods from Dayton to iFort Wayne and Defiance. The goods were transported on wagons from Dayton to St. Mary's, where they were loaded on perougs and floated down the river. The boat-yard was located ♦on the hill in front of where the Fountain Hotel stands. In 1825 David Armstrong was elected county auditor of Mercer county. In 1827 his cousin William Armstrong was also elected auditor of the county. After retiring from office David resumed his former occupation, but it was a hard life, and his naturally strong constitution gave way from exposure, and he died in 1833, age of thirty-five years. His only brother joined the gold hunters in 1849, crossed the plains to California, where he died in 1852. Of his sisters, Nancy married John Blew; Polly married Richard R. Barington; Rebecca, who never married, and Sarah, who married William Armstrong, her cousin.
David Armstrong's wife, Eleanor Scott, died in 1852. Two children were born to them, Harry, who died in 1849, i David, Jr.
As printed in History of western Ohio and Auglaize County (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Thomas McKee William Armstrong
Their biographies name John Blew: David Armstrong
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.