Ohio Genealogical Society
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Montgomery County Chapter Ohio Genealogical Society |
Personal Sketch
John Shroyer, Van Buren [Township]John Shroyer is of German descent; and among the noble band of pioneers who left happy homes in the East, and submitted themselves to all the privations incident to pioneer life, may be placed the subject of this sketch. Mr. Shroyer was born in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, October, 1794. His advantages were exceedingly poor for an education; but on the farm he was schooled to hard work, working with his brother Jacob till he came here with him, which was in the fall of 1810, and settled then on a farm now owned by G. B. harmon & Co. He began life poor; to-day he ranks among the wealthy citizens of Montgomery County.January 16, 1817, he married Miss Elizabeth Shonk. Of this alliance six children were born, viz., Jacob, January 27, 1818; David, November 8, 1819; Mary, October 17, 1821, died November 27, 1864; Harriet, born October 8, 1823; Levi, October 18, 1825; Andrew J., born December 29, 1830; all of whom lived to be heads of families, and all have done well. Elizabeth ws born October 11, 1799, in Washington County, Maryland; came here in October 18, 1806. In 1832 Mr. Shroyer settled on the farm where he now lives. He has reared a famly in the ways of industry, frugality, and honesty; and one by one they have left the old parental roof for new ones of their own, and are at present among the intelligent and respected citizens of this county. In politics, a Jeffersonian Democrat; and to his credit be it said that he did what was in his power to aid in putting down the Rebellion.
He is a member of the German Reformed Church. He is a strong supporter of education, and now, in his old age, he looks down the avenue of time, and in the vista beholds a life spent in well-doing. What a blessed satisfaction is a reflection of this nature ! and, to our mind, how much easier is death when we are satisfied that we have done our duty ! it causes the last pangs of departing life to be less keen, and rather makes us to wish that we ere now had passed through the dark valley, and had bloomed into the brightness of the everlasting days beyond. We cannot close this history before mentioning that Mr. Shroyer, as one of Ohio's pioneers, has alone chopped down what in this day would almost be termed forests; and work which is now called hard labor would in his time and by him have been pronounced as merely pastime. In this day we know nothing of the hardships and trials passed through by the old pioneers, who, one by one, and year by year, pass from our midst. God bless them, say we all!
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