My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke 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.

* * * *

JOHN W. DEARDOURFF, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, No. 13, Third street, Greenville. The subject of this memoir is a native of Preble Co., born June 3, 1845; he is a son of Daniel Deardourff, who was born in Adams Co., Penn., and came to Preble Co. about the year 1849. He married Elizabeth Stouffer; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and is now living in Greenville, at the advanced age of 79 years. John W. was raised in Preble Co. until 20 years of age, during which time he attended the common schools, and learned and worked at the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed until August, 1862, at which date he enlisted in the 50th O. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union; he was in many severe engagements, among which was the battle of Perryville, and in the three months’ campaign against Atlanta, during which time he was engaged some eighty-four days; after the capture of Atlanta, he returned to Franklin, and after the battle of the latter place, the army fell back to Nashville, where he was engaged in the three days’ fight; in the spring of 1865, he joined Sherman at Goldsboro, and was with his army at the surrender of Johnson; he then lay in Salisbury some thirty days, then returned to City Point and Baltimore; thence to Cleveland, where he received his discharge, in the latter part of July, 1865, having served in the Union army three years. Upon receiving his discharge, he came to Darke Co. and was employed at his trade until the spring of 1877, when he engaged in business for himself, which he has since successfully followed; a card of his business is to be found in the business directory of Greenville, in another part of this work. His marriage with Phebe S. Craig was celebrated in March, 1869; she is a daughter of David Craig, whose sketch appears among the biographies of this work; they have two children— Harry A. and Charles.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.