Tyndall, John W. Standard history of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 514-5.

JACOB J. NEFF. Representative of the enterprising and worthy agriculturists of Wells County, Jacob J. Neff is meeting with marked success in his free and independent occupation, his land being in an admirable state of culture, owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its management. He was born October 28, 1850, in Athens County, Ohio, a son of John Neff.

His grandfather, Jacob Neff, was born and educated in Germany, and there married Anna Barbara Copp. Immigrating to this country prior to the Revolutionary war, he settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and there spent his remaining days.

John Neff was born on the home farm in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1793. After the death of his father, and while yet a young man, he migrated with his mother and one sister to Fairfield County, Ohio where he lived for a year. Moving from there to Athens County, Ohio, he took up wild land, and on the farm that he improved remained until January, 1865. Coming then to Wells County, this state, he located in Harrison Township, on section 18, where he followed farming until his death, March 19, 1872. He was a democrat in politics and loyal to the interests of his party. He married May 28, 1827, in Fairfield County, Ohio, Catherine Neff, a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of John Neff, who emigrated from Germany to the United States and subsequently served as a soldier in the War of 1812. She died on the home farm on the very same day that her husband died, her death occurring within six hours of his, and both were buried in one grave. They were a most estimable couple, and devoted to each other, never after their marriage having been separated from one another more than twenty-four hours at a time. Nine children blessed their union, as follows: Levi, who died in Bluffton in 1884; Anna B.; Margaret E., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Friedline; Mary Magdaline, deceased; Amelia and Sarah, twins, both deceased; Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Adam Bartemaly; Jacob J., and Caroline, wife of George Higman. Both parents were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.

Fifteen years of age when he came with the family to Harrison Township, Wells County, Jacob J. Neff assisted his father in the improvement of the home farm, which is located two and a half miles southwest of Bluffton. Succeeding to the ownership of the property, he is carrying on general farming with highly satisfactory results, being one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community, owning forty acres.

Mr. Neff married, August 5, 1880, Sarah M. Zirkle, who was born in New Haven, West Virginia, April 1, 1844, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Baumgartner) Zirkle, who settled in Wells County in 1880. She died October 14, 1885, leaving two children, Louisa May and Clara V.

Louisa May Neff, born September 1, 1881, has been twice married. On March 5, 1898, she married Charles E. Sellers, who died October 31, 1902, leaving her with one son, Charles E. Sellers, born February 19, 1902. Mrs. Sellers married for her second husband, in 1904, William H. Gilbert of Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and their only child, Martha M. Gilbert, was born March 29, 1905.

Clara V. Neff, born January 15, 1884, married, December 22, 1901, Oscar W. Lane, and they are the parents of three children, Leona Mae, born November 16, 1902; Eva Eloise, born April 18, 1904; and Mary E., born May 23, 1908. A steadfast democrat in politics, Mr. Neff has been active in party ranks, and has served as superintendent of the good toads in Harrison Township. He is a valued member of the Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church to which his wife also belongs.