BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 601-602.


THEODORE NEFF, a representative farmer of Pultney township, Belmont county,
Ohio, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1857. Until twenty-eight years
old he was engaged in assisting his father in farming, and obtaining an
education. In 1878 he married Miss Nancy 1. McKelvey, a daughter of Samuel
McKelvey, a resident of Meade townshlp. At his father's death in 1883, the
home farm was left to him. Two years later he bought another farm adjoining
the home farm. In 1886 he again bought another farm in Pultney township,
and removed to it, where he has since resided. He is now engaged in growing
fine fruits and vegetables for the markets. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are the
parents of the following named children: Edna D., Jacob Harris and Carrie L.,
all living. Mr. Neff has paid but little attention to politics beyond the
affairs of the county and township. He was elected assessor of York township
on the democratic ticket, and has always been identified with all enterprise
relating to schools and public roads, and is now secretary of the Enterprise
Farmers' Alliance in this county. Gerge Neff, father of the subject of this
mention, was born in June, 1811, in Richland township, Belmont county, Ohio.
He was a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Feeley) Neff, natives of Maryland and
Pennsylvania, respectively. Conrad Neff was a carpenter by trade. After
leaving Maryland he settled in Pennsylania, and was married. After three
years' married life his wife died, leaving two children, one boy and one
girl, Henry and Hannah. Thence he moved to Ohio, where he married Miss
Feeley. By his second wife he had eleven children, eight sons and three
daughters, five of whom survive, they are: Susan, Conrad, William, Benjamin
and Jacob. Those who are deceased are: Henry, George, Mary, Peter, Thomas,
Ann and Hannah. At Conrad Neff's demise the old homestead was left to his
wife during her life, and on her death it was sold to the youngest son,
Jacob, who still owns and resides on it. The proceeds were divided among
the heirs. Besides the home property, Conrad left a large amount of land.
During his lifetime he gave each son a farm, George's land being situated
in York township. George Neff was married in 1840, to Miss Martha Williams,
daughter of Ezra Williams, a native of the county of Cork, Ireland, but a
resident at the time of Belmont county, Ohio. Ezra Williams was married to
Miss Armelia Thompson, who was born in the first log cabin that was built
where the city of Bridgeport now stands. Of the three children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Neff, Theodore is the only living representative. The children
were: Sarah Elizabeth, Ezra and Theodore. George Neff and wife were members
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died December 17, 1883, and his wife
passed away September 29, 1878. The Neff family have always been one of the
most respected families in the county, always being industrious, economical
men; none of the name were ever known to go to law with his fellow man.