In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1906) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1834, Fauquier County
From History of Allen county, Ohio and representative citizens (1906), History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885)
E. H. JOHNS, manufacturer, Lima, was born June 11, 1834, in Fauquier County, Va., son of Elias and Adaline (Otley) Johns, natives of Alexandria, Va. Elias Johns, one of the early pioneers of Union
County, Ohio, settled in Washington Township in 1852, where he built the first hewed log-house. He was at first a farmer, but after the country became more settled he engaged in the dry goods trade, and opened a store in Essex. His family numbered twelve children of whom six are now living: Thomas, E. H., Samuel, Eliza (wife of J. N„ Pickering), Nathaniel and Lewis. Our subject was educated in Virginia and began teaching school when eighteen, and continued in that profession until he was twenty-seven years old, when he enlisted, in 1861, in Company B, Eighteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, of which body only eight men where able,to stack arms after the battle of Stone River, where our subject was wounded, and left upon the field. He was in the hospital from December until the following September, after which he was in the recruiting service for balance of his term of service, and was honorably discharged in 1864. He has never entirely recovered from the effects of his experience in the army. Mr. Johns was married in 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of William Cheney, of Union County, Ohio, by whom he has four children (two now living): Sarah A. (deceased), Henrietta M.
(deceased), Silas H. and Septia J. Mr. Johns came to Lima in 1864, and entered the grocery trade, which he followed up to 1879, when he took an interest with Townsend & Moser in the manufacture of furniture, putting up machinery, and doing a lively trade till 1884, when he together with Judge Hughes bought the entire stock, and are now manufacturing to a greater extent and with better facilities. Our subject is a K. T., a member of the lodge, chapter and council; a member of the city council.
As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
LIAS H. JOHNS, one of the honored retired residents of Lima, was for a great many years prominently identified with the city’s business interests and public affairs. Mr. Johns was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, June 11,
1834, and is a son of Elias and Adaline (Otley)
Johns.
The Johns family were among the pioneers of Washington township, Union County, Ohio, removing there from Charlestown, Virginia. ‘The father of our subject was a man of enterprising spirit. When he located in Washington township, in 1852, he erected the first hewed-log house there. When his life approached middle age, he removed from the farm to the village of Essex and there engaged in mercantile business.
Elias H. Johns obtained his education in Virginia prior to the removal of the family to Ohio and from the age of 18 years until his enlistment in the Union Army he followed school teaching. Mr. Johns was one of the first patriotic young men of his neighborhood to respond to the call for troops in 1861, becoming a member of Company B, Second Battalion, 18th Reg., United States Infantry. With all the loyal enthusiasm of the time he entered the service and nobly performed a soldier’s duty and almost gave up his life for his country. On the terrible battle-ground of Stone River, he with scores of his comrade fell, and such were the prevailing conditions that he was left to suffer without surgical care for a number of hours. His life was in the balance when he was taken to a hospital. From December until the following September he was under treatment in army hospitals at Murfreesboro, Nashville, Louisville and Camp Dennison. From the effects of that dreadful day of battle, Mr. Johns never fully recovered, although the day came when he was able to take a position in the recruiting service, in which he spent the remainder of his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged in 1864. In spite of the injuries suffered when just in the flower of his manhood, Mr. Johns has survived many of his comrades and, approaching the evening of life, he is still vigorous of mind and body, and in most entertaining manner can recall those days which must always possess vital interest for every true American.
After his return from his army service, Mr. Johns came in the same year to Lima and entered into business, opening up a grocery which he continued to operate until 1879, when he became associated with Townsend & Moser for four years, and later with the late Judge Hughes, in the manufacture of furniture. Close attention to business and careful investments have provided Mr. Johns with ample competency, which his leisure permits him to enjoy. He owns considerable property here, including his pleasant home at No. 222 South Pierce street.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
H., who is assistant superintendent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company’s agency at Lima; and Septa J., who is the wife of W. A. Hall, a journalist, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Mr. Johns has always been an active and interested citizen and for a number of years was a valuable member of the City Council. His advice was always considered as he was known to be a practical, reliable public-spirited man. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He has for many years been prominent in the York rite bodies of the Masonic order and at present is secretary of Garett Wykoff Lodge, No. 585, F. & A. M. He is past master of the Blue Lodge, past high priest of the Chapter, past thrice illustrious master of the Council and past eminent commander of the Commandery.
Fe NISEL YM. Dj; ever ear=and throat specialist, at Lima, enjoys a reputation for professional skill which extends far beyond this city. Dr. Knisely was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1859, and received his literary training in the common schools and _ his scientific education at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, where he was graduated in
From college Dr. Knisely entered the office of Dr. Seely, of Cincinnati, where he remained two years, gaining much valuable experience in a varied practice, and then removed to Chicago, where he continued in practice for five years, making diseases of the eye, ear and throat his specialty. He then returned to his old home at Uhrichsville, Ohio, for a short season, after which he returned to his work in Chicago for another period of five years. The climate of the “Windy City” did not agree with him entirely and as a matter of prudence he gave up the position he had won in his profession there and returned to Ohio, locating at Lima in 1897. He enjoys an extensive practice in his specialty. He is also a leading member of political and social circles.
Dr. Knisely was married on April 12, 1880, to Mary De Grieff, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and they have two sons, viz.: Allen D. and Virgil M. The former was educated at New Philadelphia and Chicago and then spent two years in the Ohio State University, after which he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After two years there he became a student at the Louisville Medical College, where his graduation will take place in June, 1906. The second son is a student in the Lima High School.
Dr. Knisely is prominent in Masonry, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery at Lima and the Shrine at Dayton. During his residence at Uhrichsville, he was one of the officers of the Masonic lodge there. He is a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Lima.
As printed in History of Allen 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.
Named in this biography: Isaac Hefner (b. 1841) John Hefner (b. 1849)
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.