For long years connected with the business, public, social and moral interests of Miami county, Isaac H. Stinsman ever commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men, and at his death the community lost one of its valued residents that had long contributed to the substantial development and welfare of this section of the state. He was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1817, and in early manhood became a surveyor, having fitted himself for the profession by study in an academy. He gained practical experience through his association with William Pemberton in the survey of what is now the Big Four Railroad, about 1843. They located the line, made the survey through the country surrounding Sidney and assisted in making the grade. Mr. Stinsman gave two years to the work, after which he returned to Pennsylvania on a visit, but in the meantime he had become favorably impressed with the Buckeye state, and soon after again sought a home in Ohio, making a settlement in Miami county.

Here, on the 25th of October, 1850, in Lost Creek township, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Catherine A. Addis, whose maiden name was Lyons. Her husband had died of cholera at Xenia, Ohio, leaving her with two children. She was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and had known Mr. Stinsman while living with the Swayne family. After his arrival in this state Mr. Stinsman, purchased eighty acres of land near Quincy, in Champaign county, and began farming and teaching school, having in the meantime followed the latter profession in Pennsylvania. He spent five years in Champaign county and then came to Lost Creek township, Miami county, locating upon a part of his present farm in 1854. He also engaged in teaching here and continued land surveying. He was likewise connected with the construction of the pike. He cleared his farm of the timber which covered it, transforming it into richly cultivated fields, erecting thereon the residence about twenty-one years ago. His first home was a log cabin furnished in primitive style, but as time passed he was enabled to secure many of the comforts of life and the cabin home was replaced with a more modern and commodious dwelling. Mr. Stinsman devoted his life to general farming and added to his original purchase until he had one hundred and six acres of rich land, which yielded to him a good return for the care and labor bestowed upon it.

An exceptionally well-informed man, his knowledge on public and religious questions was broad and comprehensive. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and studied so closely the issues of the day that he was always ready to defend his position by sound arguments. He frequently served as delegate to his party's conventions and for nine years held the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties in the most fair and impartial manner. He took an active interest in literary societies, in which were discussed the vital issues of the time, and could hold his own in debate with such men as judge Clyde. He was also well read in both ancient and modern history and in political economy, and in early life was well versed in Latin and Greek. A man of strong intellectual powers and scholarly attainments, he gave much time to study and original investigation and was one of the best informed men in this section of the state. A member of the Lost Creek Christian church, he served as its clerk for a number of years and was well versed in the bible, his belief being the result of close study and careful research. He presided at public meetings, particularly Sunday school gatherings, and frequently served as Sunday school superintendent in his own church. For forty years he was a subscriber for the Cincinnati Enquirer and always enjoyed reading that paper. He lived on good terms with his neighbors and was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. He died unexpectedly, but his end was a peaceful one, and he passed to the reward prepared for the righteous September 30, 1898, leaving to his family the heritage of an untarnished name.

Mr. and Mrs. Stinsman were the parents of five children: Horace, who is in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in their shops at Kansas City, Kansas; John, who is city treasurer at Spokane, Washington; Elwood, who is foreman in the Missouri Pacific shops at Kansas City; Ida, wife of Charles S. Kessler, a printer at Roswell, New Mexico; and Frank. Mr. Stinsman also reared his wife's two children Albert Addis, who is now a contractor in Kansas City, Kansas, and Lyda, wife of James Gearhart, of Smith county, Kansas.

Frank Stinsman, who was engaged in the operation of the old home farm until 1900 and is now working in the car shops at Dayton Ohio, was born September 27, 1871, on the old homestead. His preliminary education was acquired in the common schools and supplemented by study at Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and he afterward completed a course in civil and mechanical engineering in the State University at Columbus, Ohio. He devoted four years to the study of mathematics in its application to the practical affairs of life, and then, upon his return home, he assumed the management of his father's farm, which he successfully conducted until 1900, his mother acting as his housekeeper. He is an exceptionally well- informed man, and although he has left the schoolroom, his studies being ended, yet daily his store of knowledge is increased by reading, experience and observation. He is a great reader of the best literature and much resembles his father in this regard. He has always kept up his study and investigation on the subject of chemistry and is well informed in history, science and ancient and modern classics. His mother, too, is well informed on all subjects of general interest, and they occupy an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as passports into good society. In connection with general farming the son carried on surveying to some extent, and is a practical and enterprising business man, whose efforts have been attended with creditable success. Mrs. Stinsman is a member of the Christian church, and while her son Frank is not connected with any religious organization he is an exemplary member of Social Lodge, No. 247 F. & A. M., at Lena, Ohio, and follows closely the ethical teachings of the order. He also belongs to Diamond Chapter, No. 83, R. A. M., at St. Paris, Ohio, and to Fidelity Chapter, No. 88, O. E. S., in which he has, served as worthy patron. He has been very active in the blue lodge and has served in many offices, including that of senior deacon. Mr. Stinsman is a man of genuine worth and enjoys the high regard of all with whom be has been brought in contact.