J. D. Counts, farmer; P. O. Troy; was born August 17, 1816 in Miami County, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Frame) Counts, who were born in Kentucky, coming to this county in June, 1816, and locating upon the farm now owned by John. Jacob, the father, was in the War of 1812 and was with General Harrison's army when he passed all through this section of the country; he formed such a favorable impression of this valley, and to dislike to the institution of slavery, existing in Kentucky at the time, that he resolved to come and locate in this county; when he settled here, there was but little cleared land, with a log cabin upon it; he built a new log house, cleared up the farm, and erected a good barn, and making other improvements living here the remainder of his life; he died in December, 1872, being in his eighty-third year. The grandfather, Jacob, also located on this farm at the same time as his son, 1816; he was born in Maryland but while a young man went to Virginia and then to Kentucky, living there till above date (1816), when he located in Miami County. The great- grandfather came from Germany, and on his mother's side, the ancestry was from Ireland. Mr. Counts, the subject of our sketch, always remained with his father till his death. He was united in marriage in August, 1843 with Mary Marshall, daughter of Martin and Eleanor Marshall, who were born in Pennsylvania; by this union, they have had two children, viz., Caroline, now Mrs. Rollins of Troy, and Walter, still living at home. Mr. Counts is a staunch Republican, like his father before him, who was representative from this county in 1842 and 1843; was Justice of the Peace for eighteen years. The history of the Counts family exhibits lives replete with activity, and so connected with the early settlers of this county that it stands forth with great prominence to future generations, in the history of their ancestors and early pioneers. Mr. Counts and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Troy, his membership dating back for forty years. His parents were also very active Christian workers, and their character and example stands forth as bright and shining lights for all future generations.