JAMES B. HOUSER, who resides on his 106-acre farm in Spring Creek Township, is one of the thriving agriculturists of this township and a citizen who has taken a useful part in public affairs. He was born on this farm, in an old log house built by his grandfather ninety years ago, and which is still standing and in a state of good preservation. It was one of the first houses in the township built from hewed logs, the logs being all poplar and at a later date was provided with weather-boarding. Here the subject of this sketch first saw the light October 16, 1854, his parents being Aaron M. and Eliza N. (Inskeep) Houser.

Aaron M. Houser, the father, was born in this same log house and spent his entire life on this farm. He died January 26, 1899. James B. was his second Child in order of birth. The entire family in correct order was as follows: William S.; James B., our subject; Henry Lawrence; Samuel Franklin; Joseph Merrill; Carrie Rose Emma, who married Bland Scudder, a justice of the peace in Piqua; and Albert Wesley.

James B. Houser received his education in the district schools of Spring Creek Township, and after leaving school took up agricultural pursuits, which he has made his life work. After spending some years with his father on the home farm, he rented a farm in Brown Township, and while operating it led the life of a bachelor.

On October 9, 1880, he was married to Amelia W. Fritsch, a daughter of August and Barbara (Wrote) Fritsch, farming people of Mercer County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Houser are the parents of two children: Lilly Pearl and August M. Lilly Pearl, born April 10, 1882, married Paul F. Berdier and they have two children, Elden and Julia Lucille. August M. Houser, born September 19, 1886, is a veterinary surgeon at Versailles, Darke County, Ohio.

Mr. James B. Houser served eighteen years as constable of Spring Creek Township, but finally declined to act in that office any longer. He has also served several terms as school director and as road supervisor, and was one of the committee that built the Fairview schoolhouse in Spring Creek Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is one of the charter members of Fletcher Lodge, Knights of Pythias. The family attend the Methodist Church. The parental homestead, on which Mr. Houser now resides, includes eight acres of timber, all the rest being farm land. In Mr. Houser's hands the land is made to yield the maximum crops and the buildings kept in good repair. Mr. Houser is a worthy representative of that important class of citizens upon whose labors depends in large measure our -national prosperity.