Mr. Jonathan Dresbach departed this life on the 18th inst., in the sixty-fifth year of his age after a very severe illness of Lung Fever for some six weeks.

Mr Dresbach was a favorably known as a good citizen an exemplary and kind father, and an affectionate husband. He has lived in this county some fifty years and has been identified with the interest and improvement of this county for the last half century. During his sickness, and especially a few days previous to his departure out of this world, he enjoyed great peace of mind, and was anxious to depart and be with the sinner's friend. He leaves a large family and many friends to mourn his absence.

*Obituary copied from the Circleville Watchman, dated May 24, 1861

Son of Jacob Dreisbach and Magdalena Buchs.
Jonathon traveled to Ross County, Ohio in 1811, with his 7 brothers. Jonathon was co-owner of printing business, Circleville. He and his brother George, donated land for the Dresbach United Brethren Church on the Pickaway/Ross County line. They both wanted to donate land for the church, and they had adjoining farms, so they each gave some of the land. Their land joined at the county line, George owned a farm in Saltcreek Twp, Pickaway Co., and Jonathon owned a farm in Clearcreek Twp., Fairfield Co. The church sat on the county line. It was in 1828-1829 that they donated the land. Later the road was built around the church and cemetery.

FROM "PICKAWAY COUNTY HISTORY:" The last bear killed in Pickaway County was discovered by William Drum and George Morgan, on the farm of Drum's father, and followed by them into Washington Twp. Pursued closely by men and dogs, the bear ran up a white oak tree, on the farm now owned by George W. Stout. Among those who joined the chase were Jonathan Dreisbach and John Reichelderfer,who had their guns with them and were pretty good shots. Both were ambitious of the honor of killing the animal, and, in order to gratify them, it was decided by Drum and Morgan, masters of ceremonies, to let them shoot simultaneously. The bear was killed instantly. He lodged in the fork of the tree, which had to be cut down in order to get him. The animal was a very large specimen, and his hide was sold for the sum of $18. This was in June 1840.

The Otterbein University of Ohio: It is so called from Philip Wm. Otterbein, the founder of the church under whose auspices the university was first established, and by which it is now controlled. It was chartered in 1849 by the legislature of Ohio with university privileges. The names of the first trustees were Levi Dean, Jonathan Dresbach & William Hanby, of the Scioto Annual Conference, of the Church of the United Brethren of Christ, and Jacob Boyer, Peter Flock & P. Hulbert, of the Sandusky Conference of the same church.