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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN BLACK, saw-mill; P. O. Brandt; born in Bethel Township, Miami Co. March 31, 1832; is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Black; he worked on the farm till 21 years old, when he came to Brandt, and, with A. Uptegraft, built a saw mill which he ran for about seven years; he then traded his interest in the mill for land in Shelby Co., but rented the mill and continued the business; for three or four winters he carried on coopering also; from the time he commenced in Brandt in 1853, to the present time, with the exception of about one year, he has worked on a mill, owning different mills, and the same mill at different times; the firm at present is Black & Hower; besides their custom-work, they handle about 100 000 feet of lumber annually; in the spring of 1860, he purchased eight acres of land south of town, and located on it in the fall of the same year; he has made considerable improvement on his lot, and, at intervals, made additions to it, till he has in one body, 42 acres; besides his half-interest in the mill, he has also five lots in Brandt. He has been a member of the Board of Education for twelve consecutive years, Assessor one year, and, at the last spring election, was elected to his fifth term as Township Treasurer. On the 24th of May, 1855, he married Susan Swanger; she was born in Pennsylvania May 12, 1836, and brought to this State while young; her father died soon after their arrival here, and she was adopted in the family of Lewis Gearhart, where she grew to womanhood; John and Susan Black are the parents of two children— Luvina, born April 5, 1856, and Charles R., born Jan. 5, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Black and daughter are worthy members of the M. E. Church.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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