JEHU L. GARBER.     Jehu L. Garber, an industrious and enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township, was born on the 29th of October, 1835, in the township where he yet makes his home.  He comes of a family of Swiss lineage, and his grandfather, John Garber, was probably a native of the land of the Alps and became to founder of the family in the new world.  He was killed at the battle of York in Upper Canada, in 1812.  Samuel Garber, the father of our subject, was a native of Morrison's Cove, Pennsylvania, and was reared there as a farmer and shoemaker.  When about twenty-five years of age he came to Ohio, making the journey on foot, and located in Jefferson township, Richland county, where he devoted his energies to shoemaking for a time.  Later he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and died upon the farm where our subject now lives, when about eighty-nine years of age.  He was successful in his business affairs and at one time owned an extensive tract of land, valued at twenty thousand dollars.  He was truly the architect of his own fortune and built wisely and well, for when he came to this county he had only twenty-five cents and with that meager capital began life in Ohio.  His prosperity was the legitimate outcome of his own earnest and well directed efforts.  In politics he was a Democrat and served as town ship trustee for several terms, yet seldom aspired to office.  His religious faith was that of the Universalist church.  His wife bore the maiden name of Catharine Leedy and was a daughter of John Leedy.  She died when about seventy-one years of age. In their family were eleven children: John L., a farmer of Jefferson township; Levi L., who died at the age of twenty one; David L., who passed away at the age of fifty-five; Louis L., a resident of Bellville; Jehu L.; Elizabeth, the wife of Aaron Leedy; Jackson L., whose home is in Missouri; Washington, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Benton L., who died at the age of forty years; Mary, the wife of O. B. Rummel, of Bellville; Theodore L., a farmer of Jefferson township; and Minnie, who died in childhood.
     No event of special importance occurred to vary the monotony of farm life for Jehu Garber.  He remained at his parental home until he had at rained his majority, and in the meantime engaged in teaching in the district school through three winter terms.  On reaching man's estate he worked at the carpenter's trade and engaged in cultivating the home farm on the shares for his father and brother.  His time was thus occupied several years. after which he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land adjoining the old home and there continued to reside until 1898, when he purchased his present farm of ninety-two acres, renting the old place of two hundred and fifty-five acres to his son.  His life has been an active and useful one, and as a result of his capable business management and indefatigable industry he has gained prosperity.  He owns altogether three hundred and forty-seven acres of land and derives therefrom a good income.  He was chiefly instrumental in organizing the Patrons' Relief Association and Fire Insurance Company, which was formed in 1876, and of which he was secretary for sixteen years.  The company now have between three and four millions insurance.  He was also instrumental in organizing the first farmers‘ institute held in the county, in the year 1881, and has been the president of one of these organizations nearly every year since.
     On the 19th of June, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Garber and Miss Susan Wallace, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Mary Wallace.  Their marriage was blessed with nine children: Ellen, the wife of John Watson; Irene, who was married but is now deceased; Clara A., the widow of Stephen A. Oyster; Ida M., at home; Horatio S., James W. and Wallace, who follow farming; Myrtle, at home: Mamie, who died at the age of twelve years; and one who died in infancy.
     Mr. Garber held the office of county commissioner from January, 1890, to September, 1896, there being no opposition to his election at the first term.  He filled the office of township trustee for several years and was a member of the township school board for ten years.  In politics he is a Democrat.  He belongs to the Grange and to Cask's Lodge, No. 382, K. of P., of Bellville, and he and his family are members of the Universalist church.  His en tire life has been passed in Richland county and his many acquaintances know him to be a man of sterling worth, reliable in business and trustworthy in all life's relations.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Richland Co., Ohio - Publ: Mansfield by A. A., Graham & Co. - 1901 - Page