Joseph L. Freemyer (my 2g-grandfather), the son of George A. Freemyer and Martha Shreves, married Mary A. Elder the daughter of Sarah Rinard and James Elder. They were married on January 25th, 1845 in Washington County, Ohio. They had eleven known children together; eight daughters and two sons, one sex unknown.

Joseph L. Freemyer, grew to manhood in Washington County, Ohio and became the owner of an eighty acre farm on which he made his home after his marriage, remaining there until 1850 when he disposed of his holdings there and came with his family to Indiana, driving through to Jay County, Indiana and establishing his home on a tract of 148 acres which he had bought in Madison township. When he bought that tract but fifteen acres of it had been deadened and his first task was to erect a log cabin and hack through the woods for a mile to make a lane to the highway. He got the place cleared and drained and the most of it under cultivation. Joseph farming operations prospered and he increased his land holdings until he became the owner of a half section of land in Madison township and was accounted one of the substantial citizens of that section of the county.
(SOURCE: Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co.,Indpls. 1922, Vol. II, pp.257-258. Transcribed by Eloine Chesnut)

The 1850 US-Census for Ludlow, Washington County, Ohio list: Head of Household, Joseph L. Freemyer age 26. Wife, Mary Freemyer age 28. Three children; Nancy J. age 4, Sarah E. age 2, and George age 1. Birthplace of everyone in household was Ohio.

The 1860 US-Census for Madison Twp, Jay County, Indiana list: Head of Household, Joseph L. Freemyer age 35. Wife, Mary Freemyer age 36. Eight children; Nancy J. age 14, Sarah E. age 12, George age 10, Martha A. age 7, Mary A. age 5, Rebecca age 3, and Leah age 1. Birthplace of everyone in household was Ohio, except for the last four children who were all born in Indiana.

The 1870 US-Census for Madison Twp, Jay County, Indiana list: Head of Household, Joseph L. Freemier age 46. Wife, Mary Freemier age 48. Nine children; Nancy J. age 24-OH, George S. age 21-OH, Martha A. age 18-IN, Mary A. age 16-IN, Rebecca age 14-IN, Leah age 12-IN, Amanda age 8-IN, William age 6-IN, and Margreat age 1-IN.

The 1880 US-Census for Madison, Jay County, Indiana list: Head of Household, Joseph Freemyer age 56-OH, Occupation Farmer (birthplace of father, Canada and birthplace of mother, Ohio). Wife, Mary Freemyer age 58-OH, Occupation Keeping House (birthplace of father, Ireland and birthplace of mother, Ohio). Two Children; William Freemyer age 16-IN, Occupation Works on Farm, and Hattie Freemyer age 11-IN.

The 1900 US-Census for Madison Township, Salamonia town, Jay County, Indiana list: Head of Household, Joseph Freemyer age 77, birthplace Ohio,(birthplace of father and mother, Ohio). Wife, Mary A. Freemyer age 80, birthplace Ohio, (birthplace of father, Ireland and birthplace of mother, Pennsylvania). Children living 10 of 11. Servant, Elizabeth Shaneyfelt age 17, birthplace Alabama, born July 1883 (birthplace of mother and father, Indiana).