Solomon Binkley
Solomon Binkley, resides on a farm of 117 acres in section 35, Jackson township, in one of the most attractive and desirable country homes in Allen County. Through his labors his farm was converted from a wilderness of trees and underbrush to its present highly cultivated state. Mr. Binkley was born October 10, 1829, near Thornville, Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Snyder) Binkley.
His great-grandfather, Christian Binkley, who was a native of Maryland, was among the pioneers of Perry County, Ohio. He was of German ancestry and from the German inscription on his monument in Reading township, Perry County, it is learned that he died in 1832, at the age of 91 years.
Henry Binkley, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in Maryland, and came with his father to Ohio in 1801. He died in 1825.
Emanuel Binkley was born in Reading township, Perry County, Ohio, December 27, 1806, and there reached manhood and married. He came to Allen County in October, 1841, and remained here until his death on February 17,1891, aged 84 years, four months and 20 days. He was a member of the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Elizabeth Snyder, was born in Thorn township, Perry County, Ohio, June 28, 1808, and died in Allen County, March 9, 1894, aged 85 years, 8 months, and 11 days. Her father was Daniel Snyder, an extensive land-owner and father of a large family. Our subject is the eldest of 12 children, namely: Solomon; Katharine (Hullinger), who died in 1904; Samuel, who died in 1892; Simon, who died in May, 1904; Mary, who died in childhood; Millie C., who died in 1898; Daniel, who resides in LaFayette; Henry, of Richland township; Emeline (Mowery), of Henry County; Matilda (Sherman), who died in 1902; Saloma (Friedly), of Dunkirk, Hardin County; and Elizabeth (Shaw), of Hancock County.
Solomon Binkley was 12 years old when the family located in Jackson township, on the Marion road, where he lived for several years. In November, 1851, he purchased 40 acres of land adjoining his father's farm, for which he was to pay $5 per acre. He had worked three months for Dr. Newton Sager for $11 per month, and out of his earnings he had saved $30, which he applied on his purchase. By 1853 he had built a log cabin and began clearing the land, continuing its cultivation until the fall of 1862, when he sold the property for $1,200. He immediately purchased 120 acres of unimproved woodland, for which he paid $1,500. Here, after building a cabin, he began clearing his land as before, and in 1869 purchased an adjoining 40 acres, which gave him a quarter section of land. He cleared and cultivated about 120 acres, and in 1875 erected a magnificent brick residence. Four years later he erected his barns, and other outbuildings to correspond, and now enjoys the comforts of a model home. He has allowed his son a portion of the farm, and retains only 117 acres.
Mr. Binkley was married April 29, 1852, to Anna Holman, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 7, 1834, and lived in Delaware County until 1848, when she located in Allen County with her parents, William and Sarah (Frederick) Homan. To this union have been born five children, namely: Cloyd, born August 2, 1853, who lives at home; Sarah, born July 24, 1855, wife of Mark Guyton, of Auglaize township; John H., born May 21, 1860, who is a resident of Hardin County; Amos, born October 5, 1862, who lives on an adjoining farm; and Ida B., born March 29, 1869, who lives at home. Mr. Binkley is a Democrat and has served as trustee of Jackson township for two terms. He united with the Christian Church at LaFayette in 1855, and has served as a deacon of that body for more than 40 years. He takes a lively interest in all that pertains to agriculture, and is one of the most prominent members of Jackson Grange.