On a farm of eighty-four acres in Union township Aaron Christian makes his home and has there resided for fourteen years. He was born in Miami county, near his present place of residence, on the 16th of August 1845, and belongs to one of the old families of the state. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Christian, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Miami county about 1825. He was a self- made made who successfully carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, and his life record was one well worthy of emulation. He held membership in the Dunkard church, and was a Republican in his political belief. His son, Philip Christian, the father of our subject, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and when a lad accompanied his parents on their removal to Miami county, a settlement being made in Union township, where Philip Christian spent his remaining days. He, too, was a farmer, his energies being devoted to the tilling of the soil throughout his life. In politics he was a Republican, served as a justice of the peace for twelve years, was a member of the school board for many years and long served as the clerk of the board. He was recognized as one of the representative and influential men of his township, and at his death, which occurred when he was seventy-two years of age, he left an estate of three hundred and twenty acres, which was the accumulation of an active and honorable business career. He wedded Mary Warner, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 29, 1820, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of the state. She was a member of the Dunkard church, and died when about seventy-two years of age. In their family were ten children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Harriet, the wife of Frederick Hissong, of Union township; Aaron, of this review; Nancy, wife of Joseph Sandow, of Union township; Samuel, who follows farming in the same township; Susan, the wife of Eli Metzger, of Indiana; and Mary, the wife of John Metzger, also of Indiana.

Aaron Christian remained at home upon the farm through the years of his minority, and to the public school system of his county is indebted for the educational privileges he received. In 1864, when eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company A, Eighth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry, and was connected with that command until July 30, 1865, when the country, no longer needing his services, granted him all honorable discharge at Clarksburg, Virginia. During the greater part of the time he was under command of General Sheridan and participated in the engagements at Lexington, Otter Creek, Lynchburg, Liberty and Beverly. He was very fortunate in that he was never wounded or taken prisoner.

After his return from the war Mr. Christian remained at home for about a year and was then married. In order to establish a home of his own he purchased sixty acres of farm land and thereon devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for thirteen years. Selling that property he removed to Darke county, where he purchased a farm of fifty acres, upon which he lived from 1880 until 1886. In the latter year he purchased his present farm of eighty-four acres, and has since made it his place of residence. The greater part of his possessions represent his own earnings, and his life has been an active and useful one, in which industry has been the foundation on which he has built his prosperity.

On the 2d of September, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Christian to Miss Lydia Bolinger, a native of Union township, born September 25, 1842, a daughter of David and Ruth (Mendenhall) Bolinger--her father from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and her mother a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Christian are the parents of nine children, but Jesse, the last child, died at the age of ten months. The others are still living, as follows: Emma, widow of Albert Clemment; Rachel, wife of Joseph A. Markley; Sarah, wife of Jesse Kleppinger, a farmer of Union township; Austin, who follows farming in the same township; Callie, wife of William Harshbarger, of Union township; Dora, wife of Charles D. Koogler, of Montgomery county, Ohio; and Philip and Minnie B., both at home. The parents hold membership in the Christian church, of which our subject is serving as treasurer. He takes an active interest in its work, and is a leading member of the Republican party, firm in his advocacy of its principles and at all times doing what he can to promote its growth. He is now serving for the third year as a township trustee, and for several years has been a school director. He is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of his community, and well deserves representation in this volume.