Joseph Neff

As printed in 1902

JOSEPH NEFF.

An esteemed citizen and substantial farmer of Holmes township, who has been identified with much of the development of this section of Crawford county, is Joseph Neff, who was born in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1829, a son of Michael Neff. (The family history may be found in the sketch of David Neff, in another part of this volume. )

The early life of Joseph Neff was similar to that of other health and happy boys, some schooling but much more farm work occupying his time. Until he was twenty-eight years old he remained at home, managing the farm for his mother. In the spring of 1857 our subject, with his mother, brother Jonathan, and three sisters, came to Crawford county, Ohio, and spent his first summer with his uncle, John Wagner. In the fall Joseph Neff and his brother Jonathan, bought two hundred acres of his present home farm, and here the brothers carried on extensive operations for a number of years together, their mother residing with them. During this partnership they increased the acreage to three hundred and seventeen, and when Jonathan Neff decided to retire from active labor Joseph purchased his interest. In later years he lias added to it and now owns in Holmes, Liberty and Sandusky townships some nine hundred and ten acres of the finest farming land in Crawford county.

Mr. Neff was married February 9, 1869, to Sophia D. Yeiter, and to this union were born nine children, eight of whom still survive: Emanuel, who married Sarah Krauter; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Durr; Aaron and Amos C, twins; J. Jacob, who married Ella Schieber; Mary, the wife of Abraham Schieber; Matilda, deceased; Emma, at home; and Joseph. All of the children are at home or located on farms in the county. Mr. Neff is surrounded by his descendants and has great cause to feel pardonable pride in them. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Neff, one of the most generous of men. donated the ground and was a member of the building committee for the Methodist church building, which was erected on his farm near his residence. For a number of years he has been a trustee and his advice and business management of its affairs are invaluable. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has taken an active part in educational matters and has been a wise and judicial member of the school board. Mr. Neff is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Crawford county.

Mrs. Neff was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, Ohio, April 5, 1840. Her parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Aupperly) Yeiter, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and were married there and came to this country in 1832, and settled in Liberty township, where they lived and died, the father dying in 1878 and the mother in 1885. They had nine children, of whom four are deceased. The names are John, deceased; Jacob; Mary, deceased; David; Catherine; Christina, deceased; Frederick; Sophia; Emanuel, deceased.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.