”Joshua Jefferis was the eighth child and fifth son in the family and was born October 15, 1837. He was reared on the farm where he now resides, pursued his education in a log school house and remained at home until 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, with which he served as sergeant. He was at the front for over four months, located at Cumberland, Maryland. He participated in the Shenandoah valley raid and the battle of Greenbrier, in which a man was killed by his side. He received an honorable discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in 1864, and then returned to his home. The following year he went to Iowa and other western points on a visit.

On the 10th of January, 1867, Joshua Jefferis married Sarah J. Ware, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, June 20, 1849, the youngest daughter of J. F. and Mary (Ritenour) Ware. They began their domestic life upon the farm where they now reside. Four children have been born to them: William E. G.; Marvin R., who was born November 5, 1877; Alma, born May 13, 1879; and Hallie V., who was born February 17, 1884, and died August 22, 1885. Marvin attended school in Ada, Ohio, and was engaged in teaching. He is now assisting his father in the work of the farm. Alma is engaged in teaching piano and organ music.

Joshua Jefferis is the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He is now practically living retired, his son operating the farm. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and has served as trustee of his township, as a member of the school board for twenty years and has been a director of the Darke County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is also a member of the German Grange, which he joined on its organization, and in its work he has taken an active part since 1874. He also holds membership in Reed’s Post, G. A. R., of Palestine, and the Universalist church at that place, of which his family are also members. He is to-day as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the starry banner upon the battle-fields of the south.”

Source:  A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1900, page 618