JOSEPH A. CASSEL, residing on a well improved farm of 140 acres, which belongs jointly to himself and wife and is situated on the Covington-Polo turnpike road, and Piqua and Stillwater pike, two and one-half miles north of Covington, is one of the township's well known and respected citizens. He was born March 10, 1849, in Hancock County, Illinois, and is a son of John and Lydia (Hittle) Cassel.

The father of Mr. Cassel was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio. About 1848 John Cassel bought a farm in Hancock County, Illinois, and died there, Joseph Cassel being then an infant. After this bereavement, the latter's mother returned to Ohio and settled near Greenville, in Darke County, where she lived until her death.

Joseph Cassel had few educational opportunities in his boyhood. The death of his father left his mother with many cares and responsibilities and she was obliged to find homes for her children when she could no longer take care of them herself. Joseph was nine years old when he was taken into the family of his half- brother, Michael Cassel, with whom he remained until he was twelve years old, and being by that time able to be useful, found a home for some years with his other half-brothers. His boyhood and youth are recalled as seasons of much toil and few periods of recreation. After starting out independently, he worked for twenty-seven years as a farm hand and during this time he saved money and made many friends through the agricultural districts, friends he has kept to the present day.

On October 21, 1876, Mr. Cassel was married to Miss Nancy Mohler, who was born and reared one and one-half miles south of the Greenville Falls, in Newton Township. Her parents were Henry, and Hannah (Deeter) Mohler. Mr. and Mrs. Cassel have four children, namely: Hannah May, who is the wife of Frank Ebberts, residing in Newberry Township, has three children: Leroy, Raymond and Frank; Martha Ann, who is the wife of Theodore Drake, has one son, Robert; and Mary Charlotte and John Henry, both of whom live at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Cassel moved on their present farm, which was formerly owned by Henry Mohler, on December 19, 1876 and they lived here for two years and then moved on a farm near Painter Creek, on which they resided for four years, when they returned to the home farm for several more years and then moved to Covington, where they own a comfortable home. In a few years they again came back to the farm and now they occupy both homes as they feel inclined. They are valued members of the German Baptist Church.