JOHN M. CAVEN, a representative of one of the oldest families of Miami County, resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres, which is situated about five miles east of Piqua. He was born on this farm in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, December 9, l848, and is a son of John and Casenath (Ross) Caven.

The founder of the Caven family in Miami County was the grandfather, George M. Caven, who came from Rockingham County, Virginia, and settled in Spring Creek Township, and the southern part of the tract that he secured over 100 years ago has never been out of the Caven name. This heritage has proven a rich one, and each successive Caven has increased the value of it. The present owner of all but forty acres of the original farm prizes very highly the early documents concerning it, and has in his possession the old land warrant and the tax receipts bearing the date of 1811. The name of George M. Caven appears in the early county records of this section, proving that he was a man of considerable importance in his day. His death occurred on this farm when he was in advanced age. Here his son, John Caven, was born and died. He married Casenath Ross, a daughter of one of the old settlers, and they had the following children born to them: G. Ross, Mary Ann, Sally, Margaret, John M. and Tensie, all of whom survive.

John M. Caven obtained his education in the common schools near his home, and all his interests have been centered in this section. In addition to farming he has developed a maple sugar industry, having a maple camp of 150 trees, which produce sap abundantly. Mr. Caven manufactures his sugar in the old way, one that ensures its purity, and he finds ready sale for all he can produce. The location of his farm is a very favorable one, and his land would bring as high a price, if offered for sale, as any in this section of Miami County. He has never married. In his political attachment he is a Republican. He is numbered with the township's substantial and representative men.