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 1860
From History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906)
BOHN L. MAY, whose extensive farm of 175 acres is all in one body and is located in section 35, Walnut township, was born in this township, October 13, 1860, and is a son of George J. and Mary (Heim) May. The early history of the May family may be found elsewhere in this work, in the sketch of Milton Franklin May.
John L. May was reared and educated in Walnut township and has resided on the same farm since he was 16 years of age. To those whose fate compels a yearly removal to a different home, this fact is very suggestive of peace and comfort and doubtless Mr. May looks upon it in that way. He has been identified with the business and agricultural interests of Walnut township almost all his mature life. For five years he ran a grocery store at East Ringgold, where he was also postmaster, but he sold out this store in 1893. Until January
1906, lie kept out of the grocery business but on that date, in association with his brother Lyman, he again became interested at East Ringgold, his brother operating the store. Mr. May buys and sells hogs, sheep and wool and devotes the larger part of his farm to the raising of hogs. His land is well improved and in 1900 he erected what is considered the finest bam in the township. For a number of years Mr. May has also been agent for the Ohio Farmers’ Fertilizer Company.
On November 24, 1887, Mr. May was married to Emma J. Snyder, who is a daughter of Dildine Snyder, a sketch of whom will be found in this book. Mr. and Mrs. May have four children, all of whom survive, namely: Ralph E., Walter W., Alva D. and Virgil G.
Mr. May is a Democrat and has always been more or less prominent in party matters in the township, serving as constable for four years, when but 21 years of age. In the fall of 1905 he was elected a justice of the peace, in the administration of the duties of which office he has administered to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In religious belief Mr. May is a Methodist, belonging to the East Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. May and son Ralph E. are members of the Nebraska Grange at Nebraska.
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.
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.