Reuben Dresbach - 1818 - 1899
Reuben was the son of Martin and Anna (Eyer) Dresbach, the grandson of Jacob and Magdalena (Buchs) Dreisbach, and the great-grandson of Martin I (the immmigrant). He was a Ross County Commissioner. A biography for Reuben appears in the Portrait and Biographical Record of the Scioto Valley, Lewis Pub., 1894, Pg. 195:
Reuben Dresbach is ranked with the solid financial men of Hallsville, Ohio. Of his life and ancestry, the following sketch is appropriate in this work. Reuben Dresbach was born in Colerain township, Ross county, Ohio, December 5, 1818, son of Martin Dresbach. The latter was a farmer by occupation, was a native of Buffalo valley, Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio at an early day, and was one of the first settlers in Colerain township, Ross county. His parents had died in Pennsylvania previous to his coming west. He was the oldest in the family, and brought his brothers and sisters with him to Ohio. He bought land in this township, and after he had established a home here he returned to Pennsylvania and married Miss Annie Ire [Eyer], a native of that State, whom he brought back with him. This township was then in its wild state, and game of all kinds was plenty within a short distance of his cabin home. To the clearing and cultivation of his farm he devoted his untiring energies, and as the ears rolled by he was rewarded with prosperity. He had, however, many hardships and difficulties to overcome, but he was always equal to the occasion. As an incident of his pioneer life, we state that he hauled his wheat to Chillicothe, where he received only twenty-five cents a bushel for it, and received as low as ten cents a bushel for corn. He died at about the age of seventy-two years. He was a man of sterling integrity, and was well known far and near in the pioneer community. For a number of years he served as County Commissioner, during which time he was instrumental in securing many public improvements. It was, however, in a religious way that he exerted the greatest influence. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, but was broad and liberal in his religious views, and his home was used for holding meetings by not only the United Brethren, but also by the Methodists and other denominations. He built a large frame barn, in which these religious meetings were held, and where many a fervent prayer was offered by the pioneer fathers and mothers. Indeed, he built three barns, two having been destroyed by fire. The third is still standing. At the time of his death he was the owner of about 800 acres of land. His wife died at the age of sixty-two years. They had eleven children, three of whom are still living - the subject of our sketch, and two sisters.
Reuben Dresbach was born in the cabin his father built, was reared at the old home stead, and his education was limited to that received in the log school-house near by. March 15, 1846, he married Miss Susanna Pontious, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick Pontious. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and was one of the earliest settlers of this part of Ohio. Both her parents lived to a ripe old age. She is the only daughter in a family of four children, two of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have no children of their own, but have reared a nephew, Dennis Pontious.
After his marriage Mr. Dresbach located on a farm one mile south of where Hallsville is now situated. Ten years later he sold this property and purchased his present place in Hallsville. From his boyhood up he has been engaged in general farming. He still owns several farms, altogether having 500 acres, and has a comfortable home in Hallsville. Mr. Dresbach cast his first vote for General William H. Harrison. Since the organization of the Republican party he has given it his support. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never cared for official position, preferring rather to give his attention to his own private matters. For more than forty years he has been identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which for many years he has served as Deacon and Elder. Liberal and generous in the support of all benevolent causes, prompt and efficient in the performance of every duty, he has long been regarded as one of the pillars in his church.