Sebastian "Boss" Neff
Boss Sebastian Neff was born on March 5, 1866 on a farm near Lewisburg, in Preble County Ohio.His parents, Jacob and Margaret Wampler Neff, were married September 25, 1860 and had four children, Ira J., Emma Grace, Boss S., and Maude.Mr. Neff was born of sturdy pioneer stock.His father, Jacob, was born in Franklin Co. VA, Aug. 19, 1805, died March 25, 1874 and was buried at Lewisburg OH.His wife Margaret Wampler, born Nov.26, 1827 survived her husband by many years, dyring at Lewisburg Aug. 15, 1906.in his early life, jacob Neff was a surveyor, surveying land in Indiana for the Federal government during the administration of President Van Buren.In 1835 or 1836 he received about 1500 acres of land in payment for laying out the town of North Manchester, IN, the county seat of Wabash County.He later moved to Lewisburg OH entering into partnership with a cousin, John Sayler, in the mercantile business in 1837 and 1838, and buying a farm which was his family's home at his death.Jacob Neff was an ardent Whig, while his cousin John was a leading and active Democrat, at one time making a spirted and able defense of Martin Van Buren on the street in Lewisburg when he was the object of a political attack by Reverent Arthur Elliott during the heated campaign of 1840.Mr. Neff's grandfather, Abraham Neff, was born in Maryland, Feb. 22, 1768 and was bured near Winchester, Preble County OH, in 1839.He married Catherine Sayler and immigrated with his family and Saylers to OH about the year 1813, records showing that he purchased land there in that year. A feeling of responsibility for public affairs runs through both lines of Boss Neff's ancestry.His grandmother Catherine was born a Sayler of Virginia. The Saylers were of the Dunkard (or Dunker) faith and spoke Pennsylvania Dutch.Her brother, Daniel Sayler, was one of the early settlers of Harrison township, Preble County and at one time reprsented Preble int he OH legistlure.His son, partner of Jacob Neff, was a senatorial member of the Ohio legislature in 1840, representing the district of which Preble County was a part. (more information available concerning the life and success story of Boss Neff as a pioneer and cattle rancher in OK, which some described as the "American Dream" - 14 pages)