Samuel Nawman, farmer; P.O. Springfield. He is a native of German Township, born Feb. 3, 1819; he is a son of Thomas and Catharine (Baker) Nawman, natives of Virginia.
The grandfather, Thomas Nawman, is supposed to have been born in Massachusetts. He was one of those resolute men who resisted the English rule and imposition of heavy duties, and assisted in throwing overboard the cargo of tea in Boston harbor, and which, followed by other acts and events, resulted in the war of the Revolution.
Thomas Nawman [Jr.], the father, emigrated to Ohio in 1806, coming through the entire journey on horseback, and located in German Township. Soon after his arrival, he was afflicted with a white-swelling, during which time he lived with one of the early settlers by the name of Friermood, with whom he stayed two years; thence returned to Virginia, and, in 1809, came back to Ohio, the entire family of his father coming with him, and here the grandfather and the father lived and died, being truly pioneers of the county, enduring the many dangers and hardships of that early day, struggling with the wilderness, the wild beasts, the Indians, and the difficulties of the War of 1812. But Mr. Nawman, the father, lived to see these difficulties over-come, and fine farms take the place of the wilderness, and the hand of civilization to bring forth towns and cities, and the comforts and conveniences of one of the finest countries in the world. He died in January, 1863, aged 82 years. His wife died in April, 1864, aged 79 years.
They were parents of seven children, three now living - Samuel, Magdalene and Amanda. Our subject lived with his father until 35 years of age. He was married, Aug. 26, 1855, to Louisa M., daughter of William and Matilda Rhonemus, he a native of Clinton Co., Ohio, and she of Virginia; issue, thirteen children; nine now survive - Thomas W., Henry B., Emma, Charles L., Ida, George W., Jasper G., Oly and Carrie. Mr. Nawman, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides, and which has been in possession of the Nawman family seventy-one years; the farm consists of 133 acres of land, on Mad River, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine farm.
