JOSIAH FILBEY, a well known farmer of Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, is located on the old home place of 741 1/2 acres, situated about one mile north of West Milton. He was born in West Milton March 18, 1850, and is a son of George and Barbara (Folekemer) Filbey, who were for many years prominent in the vicinity of West Milton.

George Filbey was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1809, and there learned the trade of a harness maker. In 1833 he opened a harness shop in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, which he conducted for three years, and then moved to Jefferson County, in the same state. He moved west to Galion, Ohio, and conducted a shop for one year, then located on a farm in the vicinity of that city. After farming there for three years, he in 1849 moved to West Milton, Miami County, Ohio, where he followed his trade until 1870, the year in which he retired to his farm in Union Township, one mile north of the village. There he lived until his death, which occurred April 25, 1890. He was one of the best known men in this part of the county, and was highly respected and esteemed by every one. He was married to Barbara Folckemer, who was born at Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, where her father as engaged as a brick maker; she died on this farm January 9, 1892. They had the following children: Oliver, who was born in 933 and died in 1904; Samuel, ho died in infancy; Ellen, who was born in 1837 and died in 1895; William, who was born in 1840 and died May 14, 1863; Rebecca, who was born in 1842 and died August 6, 1906; George, who was born April 7, 1845, and is engaged in the harness business at West Milton; Frank, who was born September 14, 1847, an is with his brother in the harness business at West Milton; Josiah; and Margaret, who was born in 1853 and lives with her brother, Josiah, on the home farm, a part of which she owns. William Filbey, who died during the Civil War, was a soldier, and was a member of Company D, Ninety-fourth Regiment, O. Vol.Inf.

Josiah Filbey was educated in the schools of West Milton, after which he turned his attention to farming. He has always lived on the home place, and successfully carries on general farming and tobacco growing. He also has dealt quite extensively in horses. He is a liberal and broad-minded man, and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare and advancement of the community. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been a seeker for office. In religious attachment he and Miss Filbey are members of the Presbyterian Church. He also is affiliated with the Knights of Pythas at West Milton.