Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    DAVID W. ORBISON

    DAVID W. ORBISON, who with his, brother Ora D. Orbison, is the owner of eighty-six acres of valuable land in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, comes of one of the old and prominent families of the community. He was born October 29, 1856, about eight months after his father's death, and is a son of David, Sr., and Hannah D. (Jones) Orbison, and a grandson of Henry Orbison.

    Henry Orbison was born in Virginia and at an early age accompanied his parents to Miami County, Ohio, which was then in practically a wild and undeveloped state. He first located at Piqua, the old fort still standing at that time, and later settled one half mile south of our subject's present farm in Staunton Township. He also came into possession of the present farm, which then consisted of 160 acres of timberland and was acquired from General Harrison. He continued to live on the south farm the most of his days, but died at the home of a son in Troy at a ripe old age. He and his wife were parents of the following children: David; William, who was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War; Alexander; Thomas; James; Martha; Gilmore; Nancy and Julia. All are now deceased.

    David Orbison, Sr., was born on the old home farm, now known as the Peterson farm, in Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, in 1818, and helped to clear the place. He was a man of superior education for those days, and as a young man held a position in the county court house. He died in the prime of life, in March 1856. He was married to Hannah D. Jones, who survived him many years. She was a native of New Hampshire, and was among the first to make the trip over the new Miami Canal from Toledo to Troy. The village at the time of her arrival was very small; but four houses could boast of having a lawn. She engaged in teaching in the village prior to her marriage. They set up housekeeping in a rented house on the Troy pike, while their new brick home was being erected on the eighty acres which David purchased from his father for three hundred dollars. The place was almost wholly uncleared at the time. Five children were born of this union, three of whom died young. Those living are Ora Danforth Orbison, who lives with his brother and is part owner of the home farm, and David Wilber, whose name heads this record.

    David W. Orbison attended the old Peterson school in his home district and has lived nearly all his life in this vicinity. He follows general farming and each year has about four acres in sugar cane, operating a sugar-mill on the farm. December 6, 1881, Mr. Orbison was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Stith, a daughter of William Stith of Miami County, and they have two children: Ray, who married Elizabeth Ralston and has a daughter, Helen; and Walter J., who lives at home. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican and his brother also is a supporter of the principles of that party. They are substantial men of the township and are well known.

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