In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1850
From History of Pickaway County, Ohio and representative citizens (1906)
DWARD P. MAY, whose fine 158-acre farm of well-cultivated land is located in Pickaway township, at Kingston, is one of the well-known agriculturists and leading citizens of this locality. He was born on his present farm, on December 8, 1850, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Steele) May and grandson of Henry May, Sr., who founded the family here.
Among the pioneer settlers of Pickaway township, the May family were always prominent in those efforts looking to the development of agricultural enterprises and educational and religious advancement. Henry May, the father of Edward P. May. carried on ( a tanning business at Kingston for a quarter of a century. He was largely interested also in farming and up to the time of his death, in
! 1893, was one of the leading and reliable citizens of Pickaway township.
Henry May, by marriage to Margaret Steele, became connected with another of the old and honorable families of the county. Their surviving children are: Jane E., widow of James Machir, residing at Kingston; Alice C.. who married Charles E. Ware and resides at Miamisburg, Ohio; and Edwin P.
Edwin P. May was reared in Pickaway township. and was educated in the home schools. - For a short period of his early business life, he was engaged in a coal and lumber trade at Kingston, after taking a business course at Wilt’s Commercial College, at Dayton, Ohio. With this exception his life lias been devoted to agricultural pursuits.
On November 5. 1896, Mr. May was united in marriage with Mrs. Alice L. (Strawn) Freshwater, widow of Abram Freshwater, formerly of CTbana, Ohio, and a daughter of the late George Strawn, of Logan, Hocking County, Ohio. Mrs. May has one daughter by her first marriage, Miss Blanche Freshwater, an accomplished musician, who secured her musical education at WoOster College, at Wooster, Ohio.
In politics, Mr. May has always been identified with the Republican party. He is one of the trustees of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. For many years he has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He is a man who is held in high esteem by all who know him and is a worthy representative of the best type of the citizens of Pickai way township.
As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Edward P. May: Ward P. May (b. 1850)
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.