My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. NEER owns and occupies a farm of one hundred acres, pleasantly located two miles east of Catawba, Clark County. He is also interested in other land west of Catawba, and in addition to general farming raises all kinds of stock. The home farm is supplied with a full line of the buildings needful to the successful prosecution of the labors performed thereon, and it needs but a glance over the broad expanse to assure a stranger that Mr. Neer is an enterprising and progressive agriculturist. He is a native of Pleasant Township, having been born west of Catawba, July 5, 1848, and on his father’s farm acquired a knowledge of the business which he has adopted as his own. He received a good common-school education, and taught four winter terms of school. At the age of twenty-one years he began his personal career as a farmer, and after a few years took a companion in the person of Miss Anna E. Cartmell, with whom he was united in marriage December 29, 1874.

Mrs. Neer was born September 6, 1850, her birthplace being in this township, not far from that of her husband, with whom an acquaintance was begun in childhood. The childish friendship “grew with their growth and strengthened with their strength,” developing into a regard which husband and wife should feel for each other. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of four bright daughters — Estelle M., Carrie A., Laura E. and Mary C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neer belong to the Methodist Protestant Church, and are held in excellent repute for the manner in which they have endeavored to carry the precepts of Christianity into their daily lives. Mr. Neer has served as Township Trustee two terms. In politics he is an active Republican.

Nathaniel and Rebecca (VanMeter) Cartmell occupied the first plastered house in Pleasant Township, to which they came from Loudoun County, Va. Among the members of their family was a son, Nathaniel M., who was born here in 1816, and who became a farmer. He married Mary Lofland, who was born in Marietta, in 1823, and who bore him five sons and three daughters, Mrs. Neer of this sketch being one of the number. N. M. Cartmell served as Township Trustee, and also as Trustee of the Children’s Home near Springfield.

The subject of this sketch is a grandson of Amos Neer, who was born in Loudoun County, Va., and upon coming to Ohio, in 1817, settled on land entered by his father, Henry Neer, who had come hither at an early day. This Henry Neer was born in the Old Dominion, in 1748, and died in this county February 3, 1828. He located a tract of land where Catawba now stands. In 1827 Amos Neer bought a small tract about two miles southwest of that village, now owned by his grandson, A. W. Neer. His first wife bore him seven children — Jonathan, Elizabeth, Ann, Susannah, Jane, Nathan and Matilda. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Hannah Golden, by whom he had three children — Joseph H., Amelia and Hannah; the last two now deceased. He was again married to Nancy Toland. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he and his first wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died April 25, 1843, aged fifty-six years.

Nathan Neer was born in the western part of Pleasant Township, August 15, 1822. He married Mary A. Hunter, who was born in the same neighborhood March 1, 1823. To them were born seven children, viz.: Levi, who enlisted in the spring of 1865, as a member of Company F, Eighth Ohio Cavalry, and served about five months, subsequently dying at the age of twenty-three years; William H., of this notice; Miranda E., wife of James H. Engle, who died childless; Luther, Charles F., Alonzo W. and Laura J. Nathan Neer was an active member of the Republican party, and served as Township Trustee. He and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, liberal in their support of its various enterprises, and holding leading places among its member’s. Mr. Neer died November 13, 1886, his widow surviving until June 22, 1889.