Philip J. Doll, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits on section 13, Monroe township, where he owns eighty acres of land, was born in Germany, March 15, 1842, his parents being Conrad and Mary (Faver) Doll. They had three children, who were born in Germany, and one after their arrival in America. The father was a brickmaker by trade and followed that pursuit in his native land until the fall of 1843, when he came with his wife and children to the new world, taking passage on a sailing vessel, which after a voyage of forty-two days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. From that city Mr. Doll and his family made their way to Troy, where he remained for a year, and then removed to Cowlesville, where he worked in a still-house. Subsequently he returned to Troy and , in company with his brothers-in-law, Henry O. and George Genslinger, he engaged in the manufacture of brick until the spring of 1858. He then purchased sixty acres of land on section 18, Monroe township, where his son, Frederick, now lives. There was a log cabin upon the place and he built a log barn. About thirty acres of the land had been cleared and with characteristic energy he continued its development and cultivation until his death, which was occasioned by accident, a falling limb crushing him as he was engaged in clearing a field. This was on the 15th of March, 1861, and he was fifty-one years of age at the time. He held membership in the German Lutheran church and was a gentleman of the highest respectability, and all who knew him esteemed him for his sterling worth. His wife died February 16, 1875, at the age of sixty-one years. They had a family of seven children: Elizabeth and Catherine, who died in Germany; Fred, who is living on the old homestead; Philip J., of this review; Henry, deceased; Conrad and George.

Mr. Doll, whose name introduces this sketch, was only a year old when his parents came to Ohio and was a youth of thirteen when the family took up their residence in Monroe township. At the time of his father's death he and his brother, Fred, took charge of the home farm, where they remained until 1864. He then removed to the farm now occupied by Samuel Kessler, there making his home until 1876, when he came to his present place of abode on section 13, Monroe township. Here he owns and cultivates eighty acres of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, reaping good crops as a reward of his early labors in the spring.

On the 2d of October, 1862, Mr. Doll was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Webb, who was born in Monroe township on the 1st of August, 1844, her parents being Joseph and Annie (Huntsinger) Webb. Her father was born near Fredericksburg, Maryland, and died when his daughter was very small. The grandfather was William Webb. His wife bore the maiden name of Lila Truitt. After the death of her husband she and her children came to Ohio, locating in London, and while there the mother died, leaving two sons, Josiah and Isaac N., aged eight and nine years, respectively. On foot they made their way to Miami county, and Josiah became an inmate in the home of James Kerr, with whom he remained until he was apprenticed to William Collins to learn the blacksmith's trade. He afterward purchased his employer's shop and conducted business therein for over fifty years. He died December 21, 1897, at the age of seventy- seven years, and his wife passed away December 19, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years. They had a family of six children, namely: Mrs. Doll; Mary D., wife of Eben Sutherland, of Troy; William W., a farmer of Concord township; Annie I. S., wife of Clark Brown, of Newton township: Alice L., wife of Franklin L. Elifritz; and Martha, wife of John Goodenough.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Doll have been born ten children, as follows: William C., who died November 29, 1899; John J., who is living at home; Annie E., wife of John Lehman; Albert R., who resides near Frederick; Emma E., wife of Henry Oburn, of Concord township; Margaret A., wife of Charles Moist, of Kessler Station; Minnie P.; Charles Frederick, at home; Harrison, and Walter C., deceased.

Mr. Doll has made all the improvements upon his farm and has also contributed to the development and progress of his section of the county. He aided in building Doll's pike, which extends from the Tippecanoe & Milton pike to Troy pike. He withholds his support from no measure or movement which he believes would prove a public benefit, gives his political support to the Democratic party and is a consistent member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs. They are most highly respected citizens and enjoy the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.