THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
J
(1907 - MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY LETTER -J)
MICHAEL JACOBY, (Richland Township) (1907) the oldest settler of Richland in residence, was born March 30, 1809, in Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County, Penn. His parents, John and Catherine Jacoby, likewise his grandparents and great-grand-parents, were natives of the same township. His people came from Holland originally, and settled along the Delaware River. His great-grandfather, Gideon Myers, attained the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. His grandfather, Bartholomew Jacoby, served in the Revolutionary war; also several of his uncles. His parents arrived in Richland Township, Feb. 15, 1824, having traveled 600 miles by wagon, and bringing a family of nine children. having left four in Pennsylvania. They entered eighty acres a little east of our subject's present home. His father died in 1844, aged. seventy-three years, while the mother passed away in 1837, aged sixty-three years. Our subject obtained a moderate education, and remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred November 1, 1832. The next day he voted for Gen. Jackson for his second term of the Presidency. This school of politics he has followed faithfully all his days. The object of his affections was Miss Elizabeth Warline, daughter of Henry and Catharine Warline. Ten children have resulted from this union- Catharine (deceased), wife of Samuel Waddel; Mary, Daniel Myer's widow; Henry, who served two years in the late war, becoming Lieutenant, and was killed at Gettysburg; James, also a soldier and Lieutenant; Michael, Jr. (1907); John; Elizabeth, wife of Morris J. Aye; Margaret, wife of John Waddel; Elias, attorney, of Indianapolis.. Ind.; Maria, wife of Elmore C. Smith. January 1, 1833, he entered 160 acres, known today as the- Old Jacoby Farm," but altogether he owns 700 acres, stretching one and a half miles along the Whetstone River. His house, which he built in 1842, was the fourth frame house built in the township. Mr. J. has the finest stock of all kinds. In 1850, he built a large barn 54x132 feet. At an early age, he and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served in every capacity, acting as Steward for the past thirty years. He has ever been prominent in the home politics, being elected Town Clerk when just twenty-one, and was continued for fifteen years; also made Justice of the Peace and served twenty-one years. A few years since he was Land Appraiser of Tully, Scott, Claridon and Richland Townships. In 1849, he gave the lot and $1,000 for the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church near his home. Mr. J. has been a remarkable man in many respects, especially in physical endurance. He cleared 500 acres of land, and in a day and a half cut and split, from the stumps 515 rails; when aged twenty-four, he mowed two acres with scythe; he has often reaped with sickle one acre in a day. With his brother Jacob he split 1,100 rails in a day. When temperance became an issue, he received 61 cents more each day for abstaining. He is hale and hearty still. Upon the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby's golden anniversary, November 1, 1882, there were present four sons and four daughters, thirty grand-children and three great-grand-children. After congratulations, they surrounded the bountifully spread tables. the bride and groom of fifty years ago were placed at the end of one of them, the pastor and the bride's sister, Mrs. Kern, The only one present who had attended the wedding fifty years before, sat opposite; four sons sat on the father's right; four daughters on the mother's left. The husband of the deceased daughter occupied the chair that would have been hers; and the gallant son who fell at Gettysburg, was represented by a namesake grandson, Henry Waddel. Mr. Jacoby is a remarkable man; he is of the stamp of men who succeed. but anyone would have succeeded with that sweet-f aced Christian woman, who has stood by his side a help-mate fifty years. To their children they bequeath an honest and an honorable name, and not by any one of them has it been tarnished.
JAMES JOHNSON (Prospect Township) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 16, 1814; his father's name was James Johnson, a native of the North of Ireland, who located in Pleasant Township, Marion County, about the year 1820. His wife Elizabeth was of German origin and died in Fairfield County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was married September 0, 1834, to Catharine Clay, born March 0, 1820, a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Heiser) Clay, all natives of Pennsylvania. The family of the Clays lived near Carlisle, Penn., and emigrated to Ohio about the year 1832. Their means of conveyance for the family and household goods was a heavy wagon drawn by one team Mary Ann Heiser Clay, the mother of Mrs. Johnson, died in Pennsylvania, leaving three children. Her father married his second wife, and when they started for Ohio the party consisted of her stepmother and her three children, Mrs. Johnson and her brother, George Clay. They were four weeks on the trip, and Mrs. Johnson walked the whole distance except one day that she rode in the wagon. Her father and the family located on a farm in Prospect Township, where Mr. Romoser now lives. It consisted of seventy-three acres. Her father was of feeble health and died on this farm. James Johnson and his wife, in the spring of 1848, bought a farm of twenty-nine acres in Prospect Township, mostly wild land, located near where Mr. Dunbar now lives. The farm was increased to forty-two acres, and in the fall of 1857 they moved to Thompson Township, Delaware County, where they bought a farm of fifty acres, but remained there only until 1864; they then returned to Marion County and bought the farm of 100 acres in the northwest part of Prospect Township, where the family now reside. Mr. Johnson died on this farm in 1876. During his life, he took an active and prominent part in the affairs of the community where he lived. While in Delaware County, he served two years as Justice of the Peace, and for ten years in this county he acted in the same capacity. One of his sons, Peter S. Johnson, wits a soldier in the cavalry service of the Union during three years of the war of the rebellion, and in an engagement was wounded severely in the head. James Johnson and Catharine (Clay) Johnson had a family of the following named children: John C.. born June 23, 1835; Naomi, March 13, 1837; Nathan C., April 30, 1838; Susannah C., September 13, 1840; James W., November 4, 1842; George W., June 25, 1844; Peter S., March 16, 1846; Tabitha E., January 24, 1848; Eliza J., December 3, 1849; Samuel L., March 23, 1851; Mary C. M. E., February 21, 1853; Ammi Cassius, January 8, 1855; Jessie F., May 6, 1856; Lewis Olney, March 29, 1858; Andrew J. F., February 25, 1860; William Theodore, March 30, 1863. The widow still lives at the homestead with several of her children, genial and happy in her declining years. She has sixteen grandchildren living, and five great grandchildren.
JOHN JOHNSON (Bowling Green Township) was born March 1.8, 1827; his parents, Allen and Elizabeth Johnson, were early settlers in Montgomery Township and had a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are still living: Allen Johnson died January 11, 1858, aged sixty-eight years; his widow is seventy-eight, and is still living. John Johnson was reared on a farm, attending during his youth the district schools. He was married, September 11, 1852, to Jane Van Buskirk, a daughter of Michael and Anna Van Buskirk, by whom there were eight children. His wife died February 8, 1867, and he was married again February 4, 1868, this time to Adeline Longberry, a daughter of Michael and Margaret Longberry. By this marriage there were five children. Mr. Johnson has a farm of fifty acres, on which he has recently erected a good frame house. He is one of the oldest residents, having lived in the county forty-seven. years. He is a Democrat.
JOSEPH E. JOHNSON (Montgomery Township) was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 23, 1842. the son of Peter and Lear (Ansley) Johnson, natives of Kentucky, who came to Ohio in 1816, settling in Logan County until 1850, when they moved to Hardin County, purchasing a farm of 200 acres, remaining there Until 1871, when he sold and bought another 200-acre farm in Wyandot County. He has since returned to Hardin County, where he now resides, aged (1883) seventy-two years, with his wife aged sixty-eight years. He was a prominent citizen in his day, holding nearly all the local offices (seventeen years Chief Magistrate), and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church many years. Joseph E.. having obtained a common school education, enlisted in his country's defense, November 5, 1861. in Company A, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was engaged in the following battles: McDowell, Crow Keys, Bull Ran (being under fire seventeen consecutive hours), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mission Ridge; also in the forced march from Chattanooga to Knoxville. He re-enlisted with his regiment, January 1, 1864, and after a furlough of thirty days returned to his regiment at Bridgeport, Ala., and was engaged in every battle from Chattanooga to Atlanta, assisting in the capture of the latter city. He went with " Sherman to the sea," and was detailed Dispatch Bearer, at the headquarters of the Twentieth Army Corps, filling that position until the close of the strife, serving under Gen. Robinson a portion of the time. His honorable discharge dates " Columbus, Ohio, July 24, 1865 " He is an energetic farmer. an enthusiastic Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
MRS. MARTHA JOHNSON, (Montgomery Township) widow of Jared Johnson, was born October 18, 1829, in Licking County, Ohio, the daughter of John and Rhoda (Meredith) Clark, of Irish and Welsh ancestry, and natives of Pennsylvania and Delaware respectively. They were the parents of twelve children, six dying in infancy. The names of the living are Elizabeth, George, Mary, Samuel, Martha and Eliza. He came to Licking County, Ohio, when aged ton years, and married in that county. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Bowling Green Township, and the owner of 100 acres of land. His death occurred February 9, 1877, his wife's death taking place eight years previous. Our subject married, October 18, 1854, Jared Johnson, son of Joseph and Matilda (Lobdel) Johnson. Four children crowned this union-Cummings P., born September 8, 1855; Rhoda M., December 22, 1856; Harvey, September 14, 1859. The deceased are Levi C., died August 4, 1868, aged twenty-four days. Mr. Johnson died June 4, 1861, aged thirty years. Since his death, Mrs. Johnson has carefully and laboriously educated the family. She continues to reside upon the farm of fifty-six acres, adjacent to the village of La Rue, where she has erected a commodious frame house. Her two sons live with her, Cummings conducting the farm and Harvey engaged in carriage painting. Mrs. Johnson is a much respected lady, and has resided in La Rue twenty-nine years.
R. H. JOHNSON, (Marion Township) (1907) cashier of the Marion County Bank, was born in Richmond, Va., June 18, 1819; his parents were Davis and Catharine (Everett) Johnson, the former a native of Tunbridge, Vt., and the latter of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; they were married in Poughkeepsie, and in 1828 removed to Now York City. Mr. Johnson was for many years it banker. He organized the Orange County Bank of Chelsea, Vt. He was connected with the old Bank of Now York for fifteen years, and with the Phoenix Bank on Wall street for a quarter of a century. He was for one term Consul to, Jamaica In 1866, he came to Marion and lived retired until his death. Mrs. Johnson also died in Marion. Of a family of eight children, they reared six to maturity. R. H. Johnson was reared principally in Now York City, and educated in the High School of Montpelier, Vt. At an early age, he was educated to the mercantile business. He spent the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 as a clerk in Havana, near Tuscaloosa, Ala., after which he returned to New York and was engaged in the brokerage business two years. He continued clerking from that time until 1842, when, on account of ill health, he came to Marion and engaged in mercantile pursuits till 1867. He became connected with the Marion County Bank at its organization, and in 1870 he assumed the cashier ship, a position which he has since, filled. Mr. Johnson has assisted in many of the public improvements of Marion. He was one of the incorporators of the Marion Gas-Light Company, and is now serving as its President. He was for a number of years. a member of the School Board, and has bold various other local offices. His marriage took place July 2, 1846, to Miss Sarah H., daughter of James and Sophronia Reed. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Deerfield, Franklin Co., Mass.; was born October 11, 1824. Their only child, Catharine E.. married W. B. Fisher, and has one child, Henry J. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected.
SARAH E. (CLARK) JOHNSON (Montgomery Township) is a native of Montgomery Township, born August 29, 1852, the daughter of John and Huldah (Messick) Johnson, natives of Delaware. They moved to Marion County at a very early date, and were among the first settlers of Montgomery Township. They were the parents of twelve children, ten living. The mother died in 1879, and the father four years before. Our subject was married, November 22, 1870, to Joseph E. Johnson, the son of Peter and Leah (Ansley) Johnson, and four children have been born to this union-Floy A., Lulu L., Annie D. and Tresie B., aged (1883) eleven, nine, six and two years respectively. Mrs. Johnson received her farm of eighty acres of fine land from her father's estate, where she has ever since resided, save eight years in Wyandot County, Ohio. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, M. D., (Marion Township) deceased, was born in Virginia January 21, 1808, the son of Henry M. and Catherine (Murphy) Johnson, the former of English and the latter of German extraction, and natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. They came to Harrison County, Ohio, as early as 1800, spending there the remainder of their days. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living-Belinda, wife of Dr. McDean, Cadiz, Ohio; Harriet, wife of George McPherson, ditto; Henry M., of Salt Lake City; Wesley, of the same city; Asbury F., of Peoria, Ill., and Julia A.. wife of James Tallman, of Belmont County, Ohio. The deceased are Sophia. Catherine and William C. Dr. Johnson, having obtained a good common school education, supplemented with a collegiate scientific course, commenced the study of medicine in 1829, under the instruction of Dr. John McBean. He subsequently graduated at one of the chief medical colleges in Philadelphia, and began the practice of medicine at Wheeling, Va., in 1833-34. He married, January 21, 1836, Jane McFadden, born October 20, 1818, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Slafford) McFadden, and four children were born to them, three now living-Georgietta. born May 22, 1838; Henry C., February 24, 1840; Isabella M., March 14, 1849; and William, December 28, 1843, dying in Now Mexico, August 30, 1878. Dr. Johnson came to Marion in 1836, and immediately built up an enviable practice finally obtaining considerable property. He was widely and favorably known. His death occurred July 23. 1864.
WILLIAM G. JOHNSON, Sr., (Big Island Township) was born May 24, 1814, in Providence, R. I. His parents, Philip and Priscilla Johnson, came to Marion County about 1818. Philip Johnson dying soon after this, Mrs. Johnson returned to her native State. At five years of age, William was bound out to E. D. Bates, with whom he remained eighteen years, and by whom he was taught the, tailor's trade. He was married to Elizabeth Bickford, daughter of John and Amy Bickford, of Marion. They have had nine children-John B., Samuel C., Mary P. (wife of Edward Kesler), Newton M., Amy E. (wife of Benjamin Burns), Alexander (Baggage Master), Thomas R. (dead), William, 0. and Lydia A. (wife of Ross Burns). The first three years of married life were passed in Big Island Township; then he went to Marion till 1857, supporting a family of fourteen by digging wells and moving buildings. He worked seven years upon the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. Mr. J. has always been a hard worker, having cleared in his time seventy acres of forest, land. He bought a farm of eighty acres at Gurley Station in 1857. but has disposed of that property. Mr. J. has been failing the past few years, losing his right eye by brain fever, 1869. Mrs. J., by breaking both arms, at different times, is permanently crippled.
W. G. JOHNSON, JR., (Big Island Township) is the son of W. G. and Elizabeth Johnson, and was born November 9, 1853, in Mai-ion. He obtained his education in the common school-sufficient for most practical purposes. He is one of Big Island's enterprising Young Men, having been engaged the past nine, years in manufacturing and shipping lumber-often 150,000 feet to one city. He has also handled 85,000 railroad ties, and followed agriculture to a considerable extent. At present, he and a partner are building the Rayl & Uncapber pike," four miles in length, at $2, 100 per mile. He owns five acres within the corporation of Marion. upon which he intends. building a good house this fall (1883). He is a bachelor, and lives with and cares for his Parents.
ELIZABETH JOHNSTON (Green Camp Township)(widow of James C. Johnston) was born June 13, 1816. Her father, Jesse Walker, was born in Maryland August 17, 1783, a descendant of Ireland, who served through the entire war of 1812. Her mother, Mary Walker, was born in the same State April 25, 1797, and was of English extraction. They migrated to Ohio, stopping in Franklin County five years; thence to Marion County, purchasing 240 acres of wild land. With the assistance of his children, he cleared and improved this farm, residing there until death, May 13, 1864. His wife died February 18, 1865. Mrs. Johnston was the eldest of nine children-herself, Nelson, Mary, Pharraby, Jane. Melissa, James , Thomas and Rezin-the last three deceased. Mrs. Johnston has survived her husband since December 25, 1867. They were married in 1840, and since have lived on the same farm. (For children see J. N. Johnston's sketch.). They passed from a common cabin to a hewed-log one, experiencing all the vicissitudes incident to pioneer life, and thence to a frame residence in 1870. Her farm comprises at present about 300 acres; it is owned and managed by her four sons-Jesse, John, Rezin and Albert. She is a pleasant lady and a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
J. C. JOHNSTON, (Marion Township) attorney, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 15, 1830. He is a son of Robert and Catherine (Harris) Johnston, the former a native of Butler County, Penn., and the latter of Maryland. His grandparents on both sides emigrated from North Ireland to the United States about the year 1800. When five years of age, Mr. Johnston's father removed to Kenton, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising .He remained there but a short time, on account of the prevalence of milk sickness, and removed to Galion and resumed mercantile pursuits, which he followed till the revulsion of business in 1837. He then removed to Richland County, and then to Shelby County, Ill., in 1844; thence to Muncie County, Ind., in 1845, and two years later to Logan County Ohio, where he died, in November, 1869. He was in earlier life a blacksmith, and sickle manufacturer, and followed. That business several years. He contracted the asthma, which disabled him till 1859, when he resumed his trade and followed it till his death. J. C. Johnston is the fifth of a family of fifteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity. He passed his early life on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He taught school from 1852 to 1854, and at the same time read law with Judges Lawrence and West, of Bellefontaine. August 15, 1854, he was admitted to the bar by Chief Justice John A.. Corwin. The following year he began practice in Van Wort, Ohio, at which place he remained till February 1859, when he located in Marion. Mr. Johnston does business in all the courts of the State and District Court of the United States, and enjoys a successful practice. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He served on garrison duty at Fort Ellsworth and Lyons, and was elected Captain of the battalion on the return of the company. He received an honorable discharge August 31, 1864. Mr. Johnston served the people as Mayor for nine years and as Justice of the Peace six years. October 19, 1856, he was joined in marriage with Miss Louisa J., daughter of George Baker, an early pioneer of Marion. Mrs. Johnston was born in Marion May 22, 1836. They have three children, viz., Geneva Ennis, an accomplished musician and singer; Orland W., telegraph operator and ticket agent at Morral; and Homer C.
JESSE T. JOHNSTON, (Green Camp Township) second son of James T. and Elizabeth (Walker) Johnston, was born March 18, 1846, on the old homestead. Since he was the oldest brother, he gathered only a practical education from the common schools. Arriving at man's estate, he celebrated his union, February 29, 1872, with Mist; Alice E. Hudson, daughter of Rev. William and Margaret (Savage) Hudson, respectively of English and German ancestry. After marriage he resided for seven years on a part of his father's place, at the expiration of which time he moved to his present home. He has erected a comfortable frame house and other frame buildings; has cleared and tiled his farm, which comprises eighty-three acres, and is well stocked. He has been the father of five children-Emma E., Vernon A., James W., Neren N. and an infant; the last three deceased. He has served as Trustee of the township and is an exemplary neighbor. He is an Odd Fellow, a Republican and a Baptist (Free-Will), as is also his wife.
JOHN N. JOHNSTON (Green Camp Township) was born July 1, 1847, the son of James and Elizabeth (Walker) Johnston, above spoken of, and their family consisted of ten children-Eliza, Jesse T., John N., James H., Rezin W., Albert C.(1907), Mary J., William, Rosa and Laura E. The last four have passed away. The common, every-day schools educated Mr. Johnston, and, having attained his majority, he married, March 22, 1883, Lova Porter, daughter of John T. and Margaret (Brinker) Porter, whose nine heirs still survive-Lova, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mona, Allis, George, Benjamin and Clarence. Mr. Johnston has ever followed farming, and 113 now occupying some fifty-one acres, which he carefully tills and stocks with the best grades. He is an energetic and commendable man. He belongs to the IOOF. and Encampment at Marion; he votes with the Republican party.
REZIN W. JOHNSTON, (Green Camp Township) son of James and Elizabeth (Walker) Johnston, was born March 29, 1852. He obtained a good education at the Iberia, Rushsylvania and Ada Schools, closing his literary pursuits in 1874, when he engaged in teaching the winter months until 1880. At this time he was wedded to Viletta P., daughter of William and Julia (Margeson) Thomas, of English extraction. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Ohio. and the mother of two children-our subject's wife and Emma B. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have born to their union one heir. They are living on a farm of seventy-seven acres, a part of the homestead, to which Mr. Johnston devotes his exclusive attention. He has erected a fine frame residence, and His political proclivities ties are Republican, and he is a farmer of promise. belongs, with his wife, to the Free-Will Baptist Church.
ALBERT JONES (Bowling Green Township) was born in Montgomery Township August 28, 1840. His parents, Mires and Mary (Prettyman) Jones, were of Welsh and English origin, but they were natives of the State of Delaware. They settled in Montgomery Township in 1837. Mires Jones died there in 1844, and his wife in 1842. They had two children-Albert, the subject of this sketch, and Mary, who died in 1843. On the death of his parents, Albert went to live with his uncle, John Jones, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, during this time obtaining a limited education at the district schools. He was married, November 4, 1862, to Martha J., a daughter of John and Esther (Smith) Leslie. Her parents tire both deceased. They were formerly residents of Bowling Green Township. Albert Jones and wife have six children-John W., Mires, Albert L., Elizabeth E., Mary M. and Mintie D. Mr. Jones owns a farm of sixty acres, on which he resides, and is a highly respected citizen of the township. Politically, he is a Democrat.
ANDREW J. JONES (Bowling Green Township) (1907) is the second son of John and Elizabeth (Lynch) Jones, and was born in Montgomery Township November 24, 1849. When aged eighteen, after obtaining a fair education, he taught school during the winter seasons for four years. Mr. Jones was married, April 22, 1873, to Catherine Price. daughter of John and Ethelinda (Blue) Price. The children from this marriage are Alfred W. (1907), Ida B. and Zoa May, who are living, and two infants deceased. Mr. Jones is Township Trustee and is a Democrat. He has 100 acres of land, and is a well-to-do farmer.
DAVID JONES (Tully Township) was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 16, 1817, the son of Oliver and Rebecca Jones, the former from Virginia and the latter from Pennsylvania, David was the youngest of twelve children; his education was obtained in a log cabin schoolhouse. In 1844, he bought 80 acres of his present home, but lately added 152 acres more, selling ninety acres. He built his fine house in 1878, at a cost of $2,500; a fine barn stands near that; cost $1,000. In 1840, he married Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Matthew and Mary Taylor. Their children are five-George, at home; Marion; Ella, widow of Henry Crissinger; John; and Stephen L.; deceased. Mr. Jones was a Democrat until the slavery question became momentous, when lie joined the Republican ranks; he remembers distinctly the Indians, wolves and doer about his father's door. He is a quiet, respectable and successful farmer; beginning with $600, he is now worth $20,000.
JOHN JONES (Bowling Green Township) was born in Sussex County, Delaware, October 2, 1816; his parents were both natives of that State. His father, Loudon Jones, was of Welsh extraction. and his mother, Margaret (Jackson) Jones, was of Irish origin; they both died in their native State. Only two of their eight children are now living; one is thin subject of this sketch and the other is Nancy, the widow of William McClerg, and resides in Indiana. John Jones had but few advantages in his youth, and consequently his education is a practical one, acquired from observation and experience. From the age of seventeen, he was thrown upon his own resources. The first dollar he ever earned was a silver one and he now has it in his possession. In the commencement of his career he worked as a laborer on the canal and railroad for eight years. In the fall of the year 1837, he came to Marion County, Ohio, and settled in Bowling Green Township. April 10, 1841, he was married to Elizabeth Lynch, who was born in Delaware September 1, 1826, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Dutton) Lynch. Her parents were of English ancestry, but natives of the State of Delaware, where they lived and died. Jeremiah Lynch was born December 15, 1791, and died in 1833; his wife Mary was born October 10, 1790, and died in 1872. Although John Jones commenced a poor boy, by habits of industry and economy then formed, combined with rare good judgment and foresight, he has accumulated a large fortune, and is now (1883) the owner of 1,492 acres of land, that, at a fair valuation, is worth $50 per acre. He, still gives his whole attention to the management of his farm and performs manual labor daily. The home place is stocked at present with 1,300 sheep, 100 or more of cattle, a large number of hogs, with horses, etc, sufficient to attend to with the labor on his extended possessions. He has always given more attention to the raising of stock, although he raises annually large quantities of grain. He has lived in Bowling Green Township ever since his settlement, with the exception of two years spent in Indiana. Mr. Jones is a temperate man, never having used tobacco in any of its forms. He has served his township one term as Trustee, and politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Jones and family live on his farm, near La Rue, surrounded by the comforts and conveniences of life. It is quite a contrast to their first housekeeping, as they then had neither a chair, bedstead, table nor stove. He and wife have a family of seven children, namely, Jeremiah (1907), Mary J., Andrew J., John W.(1907), Josephine and Emma, all living, and most of them married and residing in homes of their own.
LEVI JONES, (Waldo Township) farmer, Waldo, was born in Perry County, Penn., January 19, 1817, and is a son of John and Susannah Wagner Jones, of Perry County, Penn. They were married there and in the spring of 1824 came to Marion County and settled in Waldo Township. Mr. Jones bought eighty acres, one mile north of Waldo. He had some years previously come to Marion Comity and entered seven 160-acre tracts, one-quarter section each, for six sons and one daughter. This tract was located in Waldo, Pleasant and Marion Townships. After 1824, he also entered 200 acres one mile north of Waldo. He lived to clear a good portion of the land and to assist to cut out and make many of the roads in south Marion County. He was born May 12, 1765, died October 2, 1847. His home was used as a house of worship by the Presbyterians for fifteen years. His widow was born February 15, 1771, died May 16, 1864, at the patriarchal age of ninety-three. Her father, Henry Wagner, served in the Revolutionary war; he died in Pennsylvania. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jones numbered eleven children, four living, of whom our subject is the youngest. Catherine Sypher is the eldest, and is living in Lycoming County, Penn., in the eighty-eighth year of her age. Mr. Levi Jones was reared principally in this county and was educated at the common schools, remaining at home until he came of age. He lived with his father till 1837, when he purchased the land where the north part of Marion is now located. There he lived till 1840, when he married and moved on a farm one mile and a half east of Marion and lived there till 1847, in which year his father died. Our subject then moved to his father's farm in Marion Township, and in 1853 came to Waldo Township, and bought eighty-eight acres of land, where he has since resided. Besides cultivating his farm, Mr. Jones engages largely in stock-raising. He was married, January 24, 1830, to Elects, daughter of Zoath and Persis Higgins: she was born in Union County, Ohio, February 3, 1819. Five children were born to this union of whom three are living-Jasper L., married to Sarah Clinchey; Olive O., wife of George Arthur; and Manoah, married to Henrietta Wolf. Jasper L. has seven children Sarah E., George, Isadora, Richard L., Earl, Bertie and Gertie (twins). Olive 0. has four children-Joseph J., Eva Al., Valley E. and Dellis M.; an infant son is deceased, Manoah has one child, an infant son. Naomi E. (deceased), was married to William Brookins and had two children-Allis and Eva F. Jasper L. enlisted in Company H, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving eighteen months. He was with Sherman in his celebrated "march to the sea," and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been members of the Free-Will Baptist Church for over thirty years. He has served as Trustee four years and School Director two terms. In politics, he is a Democrat.
NELSON JONES, (Waldo Township) farmer, P. 0. Waldo, was born in Augusta County, Va., May 19. 1807, and is a son of Peter and Martha (Breaden) Jones, of Loudoun County, Va., and Augusta County, Va., respectively. They both died in Virginia. Their family numbered twelve children, our subject being next to the youngest, four living. He was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools. He farmed in Augusta County till 1821, when he came to Robs County, Ohio, where he remained till February 1832. In that year he came to what is now Waldo Township. Here he bought 105 acres in 1835, most of which was woodland. This he cleared, and in 1853 bought thirty-seven acres adjoining, on the west, part of which he also cleared. In 1872, he come to his present location. Our subject has helped to make all the roads in this section and has resided constantly in the township ever since 1832. He contributed to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Waldo, the United Brethren Church of Waldo Township, and the Presbyterian Church of Richland Township. On June 3, 1830, Mr. Jones was married to Lydia, daughter of William and Jemima Griffith. She was born in Augusta County, Va.. December 7, 1807. Their family numbered -Mary. wife of Jacob Heely; nine children, eight living Arthur, deceased; John; Martha, wife of William Morgan, of Kansas: William; Latham; Esteline, at home; Peter and Nelson. Mrs. Jones died June 22, 1883. Mr. Jones has served Waldo Township six years as Trustee. In politics, he is a Democrat.