John McKelveen Knouff. During a period of fifty-six years John M. Knouff has been engaged in agricultural operations on the property on which he now makes his home in Washington township, and in this time has been the chief factor in its development from mediocre productiveness and poor buildings and equipment to the height of fertility and modern improvements of all kinds. Mr. Knouff was born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 21, 1853, a son of George and Lettie Ann (McKelveen) Knouff, both deceased. One of a family of five children, of whom four are still living, Mr. Knouff received a public school education, and as a young man began farming on his own account. In the long period that he has resided on his present Washington township farm, he has installed improvements that make his property one of the most valuable and attractive in the locality and that place him in the class of his township's most progressive and substantial citizens. Mr. Knouff married, October 13, 1892, Ida, daughter of Jehial and Nannie (Morrow) Lyon, of Spring Creek township, Miami county. Mr. Lyon passed away in 1910. His wife now resides in Piqua, Ohio. To this union there have been born three children: Margaret Elvie, Nannie Marie and Lester Burdett, all at home . During the World war period Mr. and Mrs. Knouff were active participants in all movements to aid the Government in its successful prosecution of the war, and were liberal contributors to the Liberty Loan, Red Cross, war chest and Young Men's Christian Association drives. Mr. Knouff is a great friend of education, and for many years served efficiently as a member of the Washington county school board.