Tobias C. Breece
Tobias C. Breece, florist, residing near Berlin Station, on the Berlin turnpike, was born in 1841, in Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Lewis and Sarah (Smith) Breece.
Lewis Breece was born in Pennsylvania and made his first visit to Ohio in 1825. He subsequently returned to the East and in 1829 he was married to Sarah Smith, with whom he returned to Delaware County and settled in what was then a wild region although it was but two miles east of Delaware. Lewis Breece cleared up an excellent farm and continued its improvement through his active years. He died on this land in 1871, aged 65 years. His parents were Daniel and Abigail (Love) Breece, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Delaware County after their son had settled here and spent their remaining years with him. Lewis Breece married as above noted. Sarah Smith a daughter of Nathan and Rhoda (Love) Smith. They were natives of Pennsylvania, from which State they later moved to New York and from there to near Pontiac, Michigan, where they subsequently died. Lewis and Sarah Smith had ten children, as follows: Amy Ann, Minerva, Delilah, Lorane, Celia, Biancy, Melvin W., Tobias E., Bethesby and Olive. Of this large family eight still survive, the youngest of whom is 60 years of age.
Tobias C. Breece attended school until about 18 years of age and then learned the carpenter trade. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Federal Army, entering Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a brave and faithful soldier for three years, during this long period participating in many dangerous battles and a protracted series of tiresome marches. With great good fortune, however, he reached home in safety.
In 1805, Mr. Breece was married to Susan C. Osborn, who is a daughter oi Henry and Mary A. (Havens) Osborn, natives of New Jersey, who came to Delaware County in 1852. locating at Berlin Station, where Mrs. Osborn died. There Mr. Osborn passed the remainder of his life, with the exception of the last two years, which were spent in Delaware. He died March 7, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Breeee have four sons, namely: Melvin J., who is superintendent of the water-works at Galion, Ohio; Henry L., residing at Delaware, following the carpenter trade; Archie O., residing in Texas; and Clayton A., residing at home.
For some 20 years following his marriage. Mr. Breeee worked at the carpenter trade, after which he settled on his present place. He has always had a taste for flowers and after coming here engaged in raising them as a business. He has a beautiful, well-arranged home and grounds, with equipments for growing and caring for tender plants. Mr. Breeee is a highly respected citizen. He is a man of temperance and is identified with the Prohibition party.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908