Samuel B. Early
Samuel B. Early, a prosperous agriculturist of German township, has been a lifelong resident of Allen County, having been born in Sugar Creek township April 15, 1849. His paternal grandfather came from Germany to America and settled in Rockingham County, Virginia, and it was there Jacob Early, the father of our subject, was born April 20, 1816. He grew to manhood and was married to Mary Simmons, daughter of John Simmons, also of Rockingham County. About 1839 the family moved to Ohio, and in 1862 became citizens of German township, Allen County. A family of seven sons and two daughters were born to them, viz: Noah, Isaac, Abraham, Jonas, John, Jacob, Samuel B., Sarah and Elizabeth. Only four are living, namely: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Samuel. Abraham, Noah and Jonas served in the Civil War, the last named meeting his death at Stone River in 1863. Noah, who was a private, was severely wounded but lived until October, 1903. Abraham was captured by the Rebels and was still confined in Andersonville at the time of Lee's surrender.
Samuel B. Early was reared and educated in this vicinity and has always been a farmer. He was married in 1870 to Emeline King, daughter of Aaron King, of Logan County, Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of 13 children, viz: Charles, who married Carrie Irvin, has two children, Eva, and Ray, and lives in Van Wert County; Mittie, who married Jesse Byerly in 1895 and has four children Lois, Victor, Faith, and Dwight; Mary, who married Michael Roeder, of Bath township, and is the mother of five children Edith, Dale, Irene, Don and an infant; Dean; Schuyler; Sarah; John; Zelma; Russell; Jacob; Schula and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Early died May 14, 1896, and our subject was again married, in November, 1899, to Elizabeth Wenger, of Augusta County, Virginia, and they have two children: Carrie Beatrice and Fleeta Christine. Mr. Early is a trustee of the German Baptist Church, of Bath township, of which he is a member.