Jacob L. Miser
Jacob L. Miser, a veteran of the Civil War, and a well known citizen of Springfield Township, where he owns a fine farm of 273 acres, was born near East Springfield, O., December 25, 1833, son of George and Maria (Leas) Miser.
George Miser, father of Jacob L. Miser, was born January 5, 1807, a son of Henry and Margaret (Drukamiller) Miser, who came from Holland and settled near Albany about 1702, going thence to Womelsdorf, Pa., in the Lebanon Valley. George Miser secured his education in the schools of Jefferson County, and was there married to Maria Leas, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Leas. To this union the following children were born: William, who married Sarah Elliott; Jacob L.; Mary, who married Isaac Crabb; Henry, who was a soldier and died during the Civil War; Frank, who was shot at Little Kenesaw during that great struggle; George, Jr., who died near Decatur, Ill.; Margaret, who married John Gault; John A., who married Nancy Green; Jennie, who married Isaac Morrison; and Cyrus, who married Janet Smith.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miser located on a farm one mile east of Jacob L. Miser's present property, and here George Miser died at the advanced age of 87 years, in 1893, being buried at Leas cemetery. His wife who was seventy-seven years old, died on the same farm and was also buried in Leas cemetery. In early life Mr. Miser was a Democrat, but later he became connected with the Prohibition party. He was an active member of the Lutheran church.
Jacob L. Miser received the most of his schooling in East Springfield, and after completing his education taught school for two years. He was married October 11, 1859, to Mary J. Gault, daughter of John and Nancy (McKinney) Gault, the mother being a native of the Isle of Man, of Scotch Irish descent. The father was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miser had three children: John G., who is residing with his father, married Annie Zimmerman, daughter of Hiram and Sarah Zimmerman, and has five children: George, Charles, Wilma, Darl and Kermit; George E., residing in East Springfield, who married Mary Moorehead, daughter of Sylvester and Sarah Moorehead; and Olive M., who is the widow of Sanford Shepherd.
After marriage Mr. Miser settled on his farm in Springfield Township, where he was located at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Co. B, 157th O. V. I, with which he served gallantly, having no hospital record, and never being captured by the enemy. After the close of the war he resumed his farming operations, and so continued until 1893, when he retired from active life.
Mr. Miser is a Prohibitionist in his political views, but he is not a politician. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. On October 11, 1909, he celebrated his Golden Wedding anniversary, at which time about sixty friends and admirers of this excellent couple were royally entertained. Mr. Miser is robust and healthy, and shows in every way the beneficial effect of clean living.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910