Through the greater part of the nineteenth century the Clyne family was connected with the history of Miami county, and the family name is inseparably interwoven with its annals, for its members have been active factors in promoting the material progress and development of this section of the state. Isaac Clyne was born in Elizabeth township March 18, 1818, on the farm where he now lives, and is a son of Isaac and Olive (Ingraham) Clyne. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, living near Waynesburg, Greene county, that state, whence they came to Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Clyne, was a native of Saxony, Germany, and emigrated to America prior to the war of the Revolution. The maternal grandfather, Richard Ingraham, was a native of Ipswich, England. In 1811 Isaac and Olive Clyne came to the Buckeye state, and in less than a year located on the farm which is now owned and occupied by our subject. There was a little cabin upon the place and the parents therein began life in true pioneer style. The father had his money stolen while they were on the way from Pennsylvania. The journey had been made down the river and they had to pull the keel of their boat to the bank at night. While thus engaged Mr. Clyne was robbed. When a boy he had suffered from a white swelling which crippled his limb, and thus handicapped he began life on the western frontier. Leaving his family at home he soon returned to Pennsylvania to collect the balance due on the sale of his farm, and, being disappointed, he returned to Ohio, making the journey with a team, which he traded for the land that forms a part of the old family homestead. Only two acres had been cleared and a little rude cabin was the only improvement that had been made. About 1822 he erected a log house, which, in 1873, was replaced by the present substantial brick residence that is now occupied by his son, Isaac. The old log house was the home of the family for more that fifty years. As time passed and prosperity rewarded his efforts the father was enabled to add to his original purchase, and at his death left the farm as it now stands. He died during the cholera epidemic in 1833, at the age of fifty-six years, his wife surviving him until 1852. For a number of years he served as trustee of his township and was trustee of the school section. He always took a deep interest in whatever pertained to the welfare of the community, and withheld his support from no measure or movement which he believed would prove of public good. In early days corn sold for six cents per bushel and wheat for twenty-five cents per bushel. There was a mill on Lost creek, owned and built by John M. Dye, and there the farm products were converted into breadstuffs, which they hauled to Cincinnati and sold. Frequently the settlers would haul their wheat to Sandusky and in return received merchandise. Salt was procured from Zanesville, and at Troy it brought about eleven dollars per barrel. There were many hardships and trials to be borne by the early settlers, but as the years passed these gave way before advanced civilization, and the settlers enjoyed all the comforts, improvements and accessories known to the civilization of the east. In his political views Mr. Clyne was a Democrat of the Jacksonian school, and was a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson. He was also a prominent member of the Baptist church at Lost Creek, and was a man of unquestioned honesty and integrity.

In his family were the following children who reached years of maturity, namely: John, who died when about eighty years of age; Hannah, who married Lewis Deweese, of Staunton township, and died at the age of eighty years; Minerva, who became the wife of Levi Hart, of Elizabeth township, and died when more than seventy years of age; Mary, who became the wife of Joseph Martin and the mother of W. P. Martin; Jacob, who died of cholera in 1833; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Isaac Dye, and departed this life when more than eighty years of age; Letitia, who married Patterson Crane, of Lost Creek township, and died when more than eighty years of age; Isaac, who is the only survivor of the family; Ingraham, who died in Delaware county, Indiana, at the age of seventy-six years; and William, who died in Adams county, Illinois, at the age of thirty- five years.

Isaac Clyne, whose name introduces this review, was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and his experiences were those which fall to the lot of pioneer settlers. He aided in the arduous task of developing new land, of improving raw fields, and in the winter months pursued his education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood. That life, however, was not unmixed with keen pleasures, for hospitality reigned supreme and sociability existed that is often lacking at the present day. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred on the 9th of April, 1839, Miss Elizabeth Knight becoming his wife. She was born January 30, 1818, in Hamilton county, Ohio, and when a maiden of ten summers came to Lost Creek township with her parents, Jonathan and Catherine (James) Knight. Her grandfather, William Knight, cleared the lard where the Children's Home now stands. There he carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years, when he moved to Lost Creek township, where he remained until his death. Mrs. Clyne's father died when she was only four years old, leaving the mother with seven children. She came to Lost Creek township and kept the children together upon a small farm which she owned. Here she lived until her death, which occurred in 1875, when she was well advanced in years. Mrs. Clyne is the only survivor of that family. Her brothers were: William D., who located in Champaign county, Ohio; Stephen, who died in Troy, at the age of eighty-two years; Paul, who died in Casstown when more than seventy years of age; and Corbley, who located in Illinois when a young man. There were also two sisters: Mary, who became the wife of John Green; and Priscilla, wife of George C. Clyde. The Knight family was of English descent, the James family of Scotch lineage. The Knights were long prominent factors in the development of Miami county, and their name is deeply engraved on the pages of its history.

For two years after his marriage Isaac Clyne resided upon a farm in Lost Creek township and then returned to the old homestead, purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the property. It required much hard labor, extending over a number of years, to improve the place, but he has his farm now under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields giving promise of abundant harvests. This land has now been in possession of the family for almost ninety years, and is one of the valuable and well improved farming properties of the county.

Mr. Clyne has taken a very active interest in public affairs and has exercised his official prerogatives so as to largely promote the welfare and substantial improvement of this section of the state. For six years he served as county commissioner, during which time his associates on the board were B. Franklin Brown, David M. Coate and William Northcutt. During the time of his incumbency as county commissioner the Children's Home was established. This is one of the most important works ever done by the board, and the county certainly deserves great credit for keeping up such a laudable institution. While he served as commissioner the old company pikes were converted into free pikes and many miles of new pikes were added. He was the first county commissioner to vote for the erection of an iron bridge. When he first gave his support to the adoption of such a structure the other commissioners opposed him, but finally they became convinced that such bridges were the best and many have since been erected in the county. He favored every public improvement which he believed would contribute to the general welfare. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and he has advocated the employment of capable teachers and the maintenance of good schools. For a number of years he served as school director and in that way was able to promote in a consider-able degree the effectiveness of the schools. In politics he has always been a Democrat since casting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, in 1840. However, he has never been a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term, has never sought office and has only held positions of political preferment at the solicitation of his friends, in fact he has refused a number of offices. When the township was in debt all parties joined in asking him to become a trustee, and it was only after much pressure was brought to bear upon him that he consented to accept the office. He served in that capacity until its financial affairs were finally righted, at which time he refused to again become a candidate. His excellent business and executive ability have made him a very popular and valued official.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clyne have been born the following children: John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Letitia, who became the wife of Jacob Long and died in early womanhood; Jane and Olive Belle, who died in childhood; Mary Ann, wife of Joseph M. Studebaker; Nettie, wife of William Frazee, of Dayton; Priscilla, wife of B. F. Hance; Horatio, a farmer of Lost Creek township; William K., who is farming near the old homestead; and Ella, wife of Frank Knick, who for some years was a bookkeeper at Springfield. They now reside with her parents and Mr. Knick is engaged in the sale of buggies. For forty years Mr. and Mrs. Clyne have been consistent members of the Baptist church of Casstown, and their lives have ever been in harmony with their professions. Their record is an open book which all may read. They have been true to duty and to principle, have reared a family who do credit to their name, and have ever commanded the respect and regard of their fellow townsmen by their well spent lives.