William M. Breakfield
John and Susan (Harmon) Breakfield, the grandparents of this subject, were natives of Virginia, but were of German stock. The husband died in Virginia, in 1820, and four years later his widow, with a large family of fatherless children, came to Ohio, and settled temporarily in Pickaway County. In 1827, the widow came to Fayette County, and purchased a tract of one hundred and forty-four acres of unimproved land in Perry Township, for which she paid four hundred and fifty dollars.
John and Susan Breakfield had twelve children: George, Barbara, John, Katie, Peter, Henry, Jacob, Sallie, Elias, Susan, Eliza, and Mary Ann.
Jacob Breakfield, the father of our subject, was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, in March, 1802. His wife was Lydia Miller. To them six children were born: Jeremiah, Susanna, Harriet, Sarah C, William M., and Joseph H.
Our subject is the fifth child of the family, is a farmer and stock raiser, and was born October 31, 1842. He was married January 16, 1869, to Olive Welsbeimer, daughter of William H. and Mahala Welsheimer. Her father was a native of Virginia; her mother was born in Ross County, Ohio. Mrs. Breakfield was born January 4, 1847.
Mr. and Mrs. Breaklield have had born to them two children: Harrold E., born May 18, 1870; Minnie M., born January 20, 1873. Our subject served during the late civil war, for a term of four months, in Company I, 168th O. N. G., from May, 1864, till September, 1864. His company was commanded by Captain Lewis Painter.
Mr. Breaktield has been farming on his own account since 1867. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres, on Survey No. 660, Christian Febiger original proprietor. He built a fine house in 1879, at a cost of three thousand dollars, and now lives at his ease. A fine barn was also erected, and all the surroundings give evidence of taste and comfort.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County