Among the leading and successful farmers of Washington township none stand higher in public esteem than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is of German descent and traces his ancestry back to Conrad Licklider, who was born in the Fatherland, and on his emigration to the new world settled near Fredericksburg, Maryland, where he married. Subsequently he removed to Virginia, and owned a plantation near Shepherdstown and also had many slaves. He died there in the '40s, at the age of eighty-four years. Of his children, Jacob was a resident of Montgomery county, Ohio, and died three miles south of Dayton; Adam was a saddler and harness maker of Shepherdstown, Virginia, where he died; Susan died in the same place; Daniel was the grandfather of our subject; George died in Missouri; Barbara died in Shepherdstown, Virginia; Lewis died in Missouri, and Thomas lived for a time in Logan county, Ohio, later in Piqua, and finally removed to Missouri where it is supposed he still resides.

Daniel Licklider, grandfather of our subject, was born in Maryland but mostly reared in Virginia. In 1812 or 1813 he and his brother, Jacob, came to Montgomery county, Ohio, their father having purchased each of them a farm in Dayton township. Later he paid a visit to relatives in Kentucky, and while there met the young lady who afterward became his wife. She was Miss Elizabeth Giltner, daughter of Abraham Giltner, and a native of Bourbon county, born between Lexington and Paris. In 1833 Daniel Licklider removed to Washington township, Miami county, where he and the father of our subject bought a quarter-section of land, and he located upon the eighty acres now owned by our subject. He died there in January, 1867, and his wife departed this life in January, 1868. They had three children: Abraham, who was killed by a falling hickory limb at the age of four years; Margaret, who died at the age of nine, and Conrad, father of our subject.

Conrad Licklider was born on the old homestead in Dayton township, Montgomery county, November 22, 1821, and was twelve years of age when he came to this county with his father. On the 11th of February, 1841, he married Christophene Eckert, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1822, a daughter of Christopher and Jane (Boles) Eckert. Her father was a native of Germany and was a young man when he came to the United States. He was married in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and soon afterward started for one of the southern states. They took a boat at Pittsburg, but it became fastened in the ice. Mr. Eckert and two other passengers decided to return to land on the sled which was sent to the boat with provisions, but the ice broke and all were drowned, his being the only body recovered. Mrs. Eckert returned to Pittsburg, where she remained for a short time and while there gave birth to a daughter, who afterward became Mrs. Licklider. Later she married Daniel Lazier and came to Whitewater, Ohio, where her second husband died. Subsequently she removed to Piqua, and there married a Mr. Wagoneck. For many years Conrad Licklider engaged in farming, but since 1893 has lived a retired life in Piqua. He held the office of assessor for twenty years, and is widely and favorably known. Our subject, Abram G., is the eldest of his three children. Daniel Franklin, the second son, married Callie Drake, and they have two children: Daniel S. and Robert D. The former is a farmer by occupation and married Dora Rush, by whom he has three children: Mabel, Roy and Ralph. Robert D. is studying for the ministry. George W., the youngest son of Conrad, married Louisa Cathcart, and they have one child, John C., who is a farmer.

Abram G. Licklider, our subject, was born in Piqua, Ohio, November 3, 1841, and laid the foundation of a good, practical education in the public schools. At the age of eleven years he removed with his parents to the old home farm in Washington township, and later attended the Brown school and also the Piqua high school, graduating from the latter at the age of twenty-one. On the 20th of October, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Irvin, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, July 18, 1844, and they have become the parents of four children: A. Lincoln, who was born July 26, 1865, and married Osa B. Rollin; Retta May, born May 10, 1868; Lillie B., born November 3, 1870, and Asa Ashton, born November 30, 1876.

After his marriage Mr. Licklider located upon his present farm of eighty acres in Washington township, and has since successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a thorough business man, practical, progressive and enterprising, and has made many improvements upon his farm, including the erection of good buildings. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community, is courteous, hospitable, upright and honorable, and a supporter of higher education. He and his family are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of Piqua, of which he is a trustee, and is the only living charter member of that church. Although he has never practiced law, he possesses considerable knowledge along that line, and has been called upon to settle as many, if not more, estates than any other man in Ohio. Politically he is a strong Republican.