My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. WARVEL; P. O. Pikeville; resides in Greenville Township, Sec. 1. One of the early pioneers of Darke Co.; born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, May 16, 1818. He was the oldest son of Christopher Warvel, who was born in Rockingham Co., Va., and came to Warren Co. in the year 1817, where he lived a few years, then to Montgomery Co.; and, in 1838, came to Darke Co., and located in the woods, near Beamsville, where he lived until his decease; he was one of the patriots of the war of 1812, under Col. Massie. A full and complete genealogy of the family will be found in the sketch of Daniel Warvel, in another part of this work; John H. received a limited education in the subscription schools in Warren and Montgomery Cos., and assisted his father in farming until 18 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith’s trade; after working at the same for two years he was obliged to give it up on account of his eyesight failing him; in Aug. 14, 1838, he came to Darke Co., and purchased 80 acres of land near where Beamsville now stands; after residing there three years he lost his wife, and to pay the doctors’ bills, he was obliged to sell half of his farm; upon locating here, he settled in the woods, his milling was done at Piqua, and there was only two houses between his residence and Greenville; commencing life in penury, he has suffered all the privations and hardships of frontier life; he has cleared 200 acres of land, and has now 275 acres of land upon the old homestead, a part of which was entered by him in the year 1850; he has been very kind to his children, and has settled upon each one money and land to the amount of $1,200. A part of the old homestead was entered by him in the year 1850; May 16, 1878, he was tendered a surprise by his friends and old acquaintances, to the number of 100, coming from different townships; the company represented all ages from childhood to old age, bringing bountiful supplies of provisions and refreshments; Rev. Mr. Colvin offered prayer and made some appropriate remarks, after which James Johnston made an address; the Dallas band furnished music for the occasion. His marriage with Mary Souders was celebrated May 31, 1838; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 15, 1819; she died May 15, 1841, leaving two children, of whom one is now living, viz., Nathan S., born April 18, 1839—the other died in infancy. His second wife was Barbara Holloway; they were married Dec. 19, 1841; she was born Jan. 30, 1820, and died Aug. 5, 1844, leaving two sons, one now living, Allen, born Sept. 21, 1842; Irving, born June 12, 1844, died July 8, 1873. He married for his third wife, Phebe Harney, March 9, 1845; she was born Aug. 29, 1820; she died Jan. 25, 1846, leaving one child, who died in infancy. His marriage nuptials with Mrs. Elizabeth (Beanblossom) Baker were celebrated Feb. 16, 1847; she was born Dec. 6, 1813, in Montgomery Co.; they have four daughters, and have lost a son by death; the living are Charlotte, born Dec. 13, 1847, now Mrs. L. C. Garver, of Dallas; Sarah A., born Oct. 13, 1849, now Mrs. Adam Johnston, of Brown Township; Elizabeth, born Sept. 25, 1853, now Mrs. Orlando J. Hager, of Dallas; Emeline, born Feb. 10, 1857, now Mrs. George Garbick, living in Richland Township. Mrs. Warvel is one of the oldest residents of Darke Co.; she is a daughter of Christian Beanblossom, who was born in North Carolina, and came to Darke Co. about the year 1817, and located in the woods among the wolves and Indians; Mrs. Warvel has a vivid recollection of the familiar faces of the same. Her first husband was Andrew Baker, to whom she was married June 27, 1841; he died March 14, 1844; they had two children, who died in infancy. Mrs. Warvel located here when there was nothing but an Indian trail from here to Greenville; she is now living upon the same place where she has lived for sixty years. Mr. Warvel has been administrator of many estates, has been guardian for many children; has been Infirmary Director six years, and has held other offices.