BENJAMIN NEWCOMER, of Bear Creek Township, has been a resident of Jay County since 1849. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 23, 1824, son of Abram Newcomer, a native of Harrison County, Pennsylvania, and Catherine (Wolf) Newcomer, a native of Virginia. They were married in Columbiana County, and reared eleven children; two died in infancy. The father died in Hancock County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-three years, and the mother in the same county, aged eighty-three years. Benjamin's early life was spent in working on the farm, and later, occupied his time in clearing land. In 1843 he removed to Hancock County, Ohio, and before he arrived in Jay County he had cleared 290 acres of timber land. He was without means when he came to this county, but he had a strong arm and a brave heart. In 1851 he bought forty acres of wild land. He has since added to his original purchase, until he now owns 350 acres of as good land as can be found in Jay County. February 2, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Hoffner, born in Clarke County, Ohio, September 8, 1832, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Sours) Hoffner. Mr. Newcomer has resided on his present farm since 1853. He has a good residence, a commodious barn and other farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have six children -William Perry, AquillaC., Cevilla H., Ceno C., Hosea L., and Winfield Seymour; three died when young. Mr. Newcomer is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Christian church.