In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions (1915), The history of Madison County, Ohio (1883)
A. J. BLUE, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this State October 31, 1849. He is a son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, of German descent, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1871. He then those milling for an occupation, and accordingly purchased a grist-mill in London. He followed farming until January 31, 1877, when he married Carrie A. Rankin, a daughter of Albert ami Margaret (Withlow) Rankin. She fell heir to 100 acres of land near London, on which they now reside. They have two children, viz., Harford and Emily A. Mr. Blue is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He is a Republican in politics. His Father was born in 1816, and is still living. His mother was born in 1826, and died in 1881.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Haynes, of Jefferson, and our subject. Mrs. Bolds departed this life February 19, 1837. Our subject was the fourth child of this family, and has been engaged in his present business all his life. He was a member of the firm of T. Bolds & Son, at the time of his father's death, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Bolds is one of the oldest and most prominent merchants and citizens of London, and a man well respected by the entire community. He is a Republican in politics. He was married, July 18, 1865, to Amanda F. Bryan, a sister of M L. Bryan, of the Madison County Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are members of the Episcopal Church.
As printed in The history of Madison County, Ohio (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ALVIN J. BLUE.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously followed, never fails to bring success. It carries a man onward and upward; brings out his individual character, and acts as a powerful.stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life with its cares, necessities and duties affords ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the most helpful kind. Its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundance of material for effort and self-improvement Alvin J. Blue, a miller, and for many years a successful farmer of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, lives upon his present farm of one hundred acres located on the Midway pike, about one mile from the Madison county court house.
Alvin J. Blue was born on October 31, 1849, in Fairfield county, Ohio. He is the son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, the former of whom was born in Fairfield county, near Pleasantville, July 18, 1816, and the latter in Pickaway county, Ohio, February 26, 1826. They were married on October 21, 1846, and spent the remainder of their lives in Walnut township, Pickaway county, which was then a wilderness. By hard work they cleared the land upon which they settled of the forest trees and developed a splendid farm. They left considerable wealth as a result of their hard work and sagacious management in financial matters. Twelve children were born to them, as follow: Lorain D., Alma R., Alvin J., Celestia E., Herbert W.,
Julian M., Emily J., Clara C., Harvey O., Orren P., Clayton E. and Clinton A.. The mother of these children died on October 6, 1881, and the father on September 18,
The late Harvey A. Blue was the son of Michael and Deborah (Peters) Blue, the former of whom was born on June 14, 1783, and the latter on January 23, 1786. She was the daughter of Tunis and Fannie Peters, and bore her husband thirteen children, as follow: ' Tunis P., Francinah A., Jonathan W., Mary M., Louisa S., Harvey A., Michael, Abigail, Catherine, Absalom A., Deborah H., John Q. A. and William. Michael Blue, the son of Michael Blue, Sr., emigrated with his parents from Hampshire county, Virginia, to Ohio, on horseback, in 1812. They located in Fayette county, Ohio, near Bloomingsburg, where the parents died, and are buried in the Bloomingsburg cemetery. Michael Blue, Sr., was a soldier-of the Revolution. He was the son of John Michael Blue, who was the great-great-grandfather of Alvin J., the subject of this sketch. John Michael Blue was the son of Richard Blue.
Richard and Donald Blue were twin brothers, born in the seventeenth century. Richard and Donald Blue sailed from Scotland for America. They encountered a raging storm and were shipwrecked. Lifeboats were used in the rescue, and Richard and Donald Blue were taken on different boats. Later they were landed safely on the shore somewhere along the coast of South Carolina. Unfortunately, however, the Blue brothers landed at different points, but, after being in South Carolina for a time, they came together again and lived for several years near Charleston. There they owned some property. They left papers, now deposited in the vault of the old Charleston court house, which told of their disastrous voyage from Scotland to America. They were married in Charleston, and Donald Blue decided to go west through the southern part of the United States. Richard Blue, the ancestor of Alvin J., decided to go north. He located somewhere near the present site of Richmond. Virginia, at which place he died after having reared a large family of children. One of his sons was John Michael Blue, heretofore referred to.
Alvin J. Blue was educated in the public schools of Pickaway county, Ohio, and in the Normal school at Lebanon, Warren county. He was graduated from the business course, and, after finishing school, engaged in the milling business at London under the firm name of Placer & Blue. The firm built what is now known as the London mill in 1874. They conducted the mill under the firm name until 1879, when Mr. Blue sold out his interests. In the spring of 1880, he removed to his magnificent farm on the Midway pike. Here he built a fine house and barn. Mr. Blue’s one hundred acres of land is equal in fertility and appearance to any to be found In Madison county. It is known as “Oak Crescent Farm.” Mr. Blue is a breeder of purebred Jersey cattle and Duroe-Jersey swine, as well as Barred Plymouth Rock chickeua
On January 31. 1877, Alvin J. Blue was married to Carrie M. Rankin, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Withrew) Rankin, and who was born on June 24, 1866. Mr. and Mra Blue have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Hartford R„ born on May 7. 1878. lives at home. Emily Ann, born on November 24, 1879, is a graduate of the Ldndon public schools. Celestia May, born on September 1. 1882, was married on December 28. 1904, to John Welsh, and they have had two children, Ralph G. and Robert E. They live in Columbus. Mr. Welsh is a bookkeeper in the water-works department of the city. An infant son, born on May 7. 1884, is deceased. Florence Pansy, born on August 10. 1885, is a graduate of the London public schools, also from
Google the Thomas Normal Training School, of Detroit, Michigan, in music and art, and is a teacher, having taught for the last ten years. Julian Corwin, born on September 23, 1887, was graduated from Ohio State University after two years in the agricultural department. He married Hazel Claire Noecker on March 4, 1911, and they have had one son, Kenneth F. After their marriage they removed to Kansas where Mrs. Blue died on April 27, 1914. Ellis L., born on November 12, 1889, was graduated from the public schools of London and later married Mary Williamson, August 31, 1910. They have had one daughter, Mary Eleanor. Ellis L. Blue graduated in Osteopathy in June, 1916, and is practicing in Montana. Carrie Gertrude born on September 29, 1893, is a graduate of the London public schools and is now attending the Ohio State University, where she is taking a course in domestic science.
Alvin J. Blue is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is identified with Madison Lodge No. 70, of London. He is also a member of London Encampment No. 126, the Canton Occidental and the Patriarchs Militant, of Springfield, Ohio, He was elected representative for six years to the grand lodge of Odd Fellows in district No. 58, and was appointed by the grand master for one year. He joined the lodge in 1874, and has been a member for over forty years. Both he and Mra Blue are members of the Daughters of Rebekah. Mr. Blue is also a member of Oak Run Grange No. 797. He has been deputy master of Ohio State Grange of Madison county for the last fifteen years. Mr. Blue has organized several granges in Madison county. He is a Republican in politics. He was elected director of the Madison county infirmary and served during a term of two years, or until the office was abolished. He was township trustee and served six years in that office, and also of the Union township school board, in which he served three years. He is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mrs. Blue is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of London.
As printed in History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.