Seth Troyer
Seth Troyer is one of the well-known farmers of German Township. He was born on his present farm June 27, 1832. His great-grandfather, Michael Troyer, was brought to this country between the years 1745 and 1750 when a boy of probably eight years of age by his stepfather, Holly. They settled in Somerset County, Penn., where the grandfather of our subject, Michael Troyer, was born and afterward married. In 1816 Michael Troyer moved his family to Holmes County, where he purchased six quarter-sections of land in German Township. He was twice married, and reared a large family of children, all of whom are dead. They were all prominent members of the Amish Church. Daniel Troyer, the father of our subject, was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1802, and came to Holmes County, Ohio, when fourteen years of age. He obtained but very little schooling, as he had to assist his parents in clearing the homestead and cultivating the frontier farm. He first married Miss Annie Bontrager, who born him two daughters, who are dead, and one son, Seth. Daniel was subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth Yoder, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and by this second marriage had five children: Martha, wife of Christian Garver, of Walnut Creek Topwnship; Daniel D., in Tuscarawas County; Leah, wife of Abram Troyer, in Elkhart County, Ind.; Levi, a druggist in Shanesville, and Barbara, wife of Jacob Leighty, in Champaign County, Ohio. His third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Garver, who bore him no children. Daniel Troyer was one of the representative farmers of German Township, a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and a very prominent member of the Amish Church. He died in 1881, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Seth Troyer was reared on the farm where he has since resided. In 1855 he married Miss Mary, daughter of John Garver, and they have seven children: Elizabeth, wife of John H. Miller, living with her parents; Daniel, at home; Lydia, wife of John Hochstetler, of Tuscarawas County; Martha, wife of George W. Miller, of Tuscarawas County; Malinda, Mary and Sarah Ann, at home. Mr. Troyer is a Democrat in politics, and for four years has served as township trustee. He and his family are members of the Walnut Creek Amish Church.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889