Transcription contributed by Leah L. Furnas 19 April 2005

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1059

F. B. LYTLE, farmer; P. O. South Lebanon. The gentleman whose name is presented at the head of this memoir is a descendant of one among the early pioneers in Union Township; he was born in 1823, and is a son of William B. Lytle, who was born in Mifflin Co., Penn., in the year 1796. He was a son of Andrew Lytle, who was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 15, 1766, and who was of Irish lineage; in the year 1796, he, with his wife and two children (Robert and William), on horseback, came over the mountains to Ohio, and located in Deerfield; he established a tanyard in the above place, the first in the county, if not the first in the State; he afterward purchased two farms of 160 acres each, both lying in the Union Township; he continued in the tanning business till his death, which occurred June 23, 1830, aged 64. His wife departed this life Sept. 29, 1833, aged 70 years; they were parents of three children, who grew to maturity, viz., Robert, William and David (all deceased). He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Christian Church, the first ecclesiastical society established in the township; he served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and none ever questioned the integrity nor the honesty of purpose of Andrew Lytle. William B. Lytle, father of our subject, was an infant of but a few months old when his parents came into the county, and, when old enough, learned his father’s trade, which he never followed to any great extent. He was married to Catherine, daughter of Gen. David Sutton, one of the first settlers in Union Township, by whom he had five children, viz., Andrew (deceased), Franklin B., Harvey (deceased), Mary E. and David (deceased). William Lytle was a farmer by occupation, and, with the exception of being Postmaster of the Deerfield office, held no other position of note. He departed this life in April, 1864; his wife survived him until June, 1879, when she died at the age of 78 years. Both were exemplary members of the Christian Church, the same that was organized by his father in the early history of the county. F. B. Lytle was reared to farm pursuits, and received only a district school education; he was married, April 14, 1852, to Gertrude, daughter of Thomas and Sarah A. (Wikoff) Hall; to them have been born six children, four living, viz., David, Charley, Catharine and Anna; the deceased are Mary B. and Thomas H. Mr. L. owns a highly improved farm, one and a half miles west of Deerfield, and is a leading and enterprising citizen. Mrs. L. was born in Deerfield Township in the year 1830.