SMALL-John - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John SMALL, who has a well-appointed farm on section 23, Wayne Township, occupies an honorable place among the native born sons of Montgomery County who are actively identified with its agricultural and stock interests, and are numbered among its best citizens. He was born in the township where he still makes his home in the year 1835. He is a son of Walter Small, who was a well-known pioneer of this section. His birth occurred in North Carolina in 1807, and in early manhood he had married Luella Blackford. He brought his young wife to this State to seek a new home, and bought and settled on land in Wayne Township, which is still in possession of the family. He also purchased land in Fountain County, and at the time of his death had one hundred and sixty acres of land. He gave his children five acres apiece when they started out in life. He was a thoroughly good man, of a thoughtful disposition, unusually considerate of others, with a smile and a good word for all who came under his beneficent influence, He was one in whom the poor found a true friend, and he was greatly beloved in the community where he dwelt so many years in peace and happiness. The parents of our subject had nine children: Mary, who was born in this township in 1831, and married Charles Berry, a farmer residing in Waynetown; Ferris, who was born in 1833, and was a farmer during his active life, which was brought to a close by his death in 1891; John; Rachel, who was born in 1838, and died young; Edward, who was born in 1840, and was married in Waynetown to Miss Bratton; Nancy J., who was born in 1843, and died at the age of sixteen; William, who was born in 1849, and died in infancy; Nathan, who was born in 1847, and died in 1891; and Louisa, who was born in 1852, and married Mr. Williams, of this township. Reared on a farm, and early receiving instruction from his father in all that pertains to agriculture, our subject naturally selected it for his life work. When he and his bride commenced life together they took up their abode on land given them by his father, their first home being a log cabin. In 1860 this humble dwelling was replaced by a more modern residence, a neat and pretty house of six rooms, the timber used in its construction being cut by Mr. Small himself. The farm is a fine one in every particular, comprising two hundred and eighty-three acres of land under a high state of improvement. Mr. Small's principal business is raising standard cattle, of which he has a goodly herd, and stock of all kinds. He raises a great deal of timothy and clover, besides other farm products. Our subject was married in this county to Miss Bunnell, a daughter of Alford and Cynthia Bunnell, and he has in her a noble, true-hearted wife. Mrs. Small was born in 1841 in New York, and lived in that State until she was three years old, when the family removed to Ohio, where she resided until she came to this county at the age of eighteen years. She is one of a large family of children, and the following is recorded of her brothers and sisters: John was born in 1823, and is married; Aaron was born in 1825, married Hester Scholt, and they live in Missouri; Lonce, deceased, was born in 1826; Vernonia was born in 1828, married Bruce Brown, and afterward died; Mary was born in 1830, and is the wife of W. Clark, of Butler County, Ohio; Alzina was born in 1832, and married Lee Whitsel, of this State; Amy was born in 1834, and is the wife of Lawrence Clark, of Ohio; Harriet was born in the year 1837, and died in infancy; Carrie was born in 1839, and is now the wife of a Mr. Cole, of Minnesota; Samantha was born in 1844 and died in 1859. Both the Bunnell and Small families have been well represented in the various wars of this nation. Mrs. Small's grandfather was a gallant soldier in the Mexican War, while she had two brothers in the War of the Rebellion, both being now members of the Grand Army. Mr. Small's grandfather's brother fought in the Revolution, and his brother Nathan won a fine record as a brave volunteer in the Union army during the late war, enlisting when he was but seventeen years old and serving until the conflict was brought to a close. At the time of his death he was an honored member of the Grand Army. Mr. and Mrs. Small have had four children, namely: Vernonia J., who was born in 1860, and died in 1862; Cynthia, who was born in 1863; Effie, who was born in 1865; and Eda, a student at Waynetown, who was born in 1877. The other two daughters were also educated at Waynetown, and they have been brought up under wholesome influences, and are still members of the happy home circle. They all belong to the Christian Church, and are active in Sunday-school work. Mrs. Small is a member in high standing in the Baptist Church. Mr. Small is a man of good habits and sound principles, and his genial, kindly nature and willingness to oblige and accommodate his neighbors have won him the regard of all with whom he associates. He has an intelligent understanding of the intricacies of politics, and is an earnest worker in the ranks of the Republican party.