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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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GRAYSON DYE, farmer; P. O. Piqua; a descendant of the old Dye family, of pioneer history; was born in Miami Co. Jan. 11, 1841, and is the son of James M. and Letty (Cecil) Dye; he was also born in Miami Co. and she in Virginia, but came with her parents to Ohio when a small child. They were united in marriage March 3, 1825—the day before that upon which Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as President of the United. States; by this union they had thirteen children, of whom six are now living, viz., Thomas C., Joseph C., Roswell S., Elizabeth, Grayson and Nancy J. The grandfather, Benjamin, was born in Pennsylvania, but left there and came to Cincinnati in 1798, thence to Miami Co. in 1799, being one of the earliest of the pioneers; they located upon the same section upon which Grayson, the grandson, now lives, and on the very road which was cut out through the then wilderness, during the war of 1812, by Gen. Wayne; “these were the days that tried men’s souls.” The father, James M., and the son, Grayson, both were born on the same section, making a continued residence of the Dye family upon the same land of eighty-one years. Grayson Dye was united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1864, with Louisa Sheafer, daughter of Eckert and Rachel Sheafer, who were born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in 1848; by this union they have three children, viz., Thomas A., Pamelia, James M. Mr. Dye owns a good farm of 199 acres of excellent bottom land, and also has charge of his mother’s farm of 220 acres, thus giving him the superintendence of 419 acres of land; he is largely engaged in stock-raising, having 700 sheep and the best blooded stock; he is an active, thorough-going farmer, believing that successful farming requires knowledge and scientific attainments.

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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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