I recently traveled to Auburn and spent several hours in the Library Genealogy room. The
visit was most rewarding. Thanks to all those volunteers who have collected and
documented the history of the area. A special thanks to Eliza who was in the library that
day and assisted me in my research.
James John May, was born June 16, 1835 in England and came to America when he was about 11
years of age, locating in Medina County Ohio with his parents. He was first married to
Caroline C. Smith of Medina County Ohio, November 18, 1858. He then moved to St. Jones,
Michigan, where he enlisted with the 21st Michigan Infantry at the beginning of the Civil
War. He was later assigned to the 2nd Michigan Calvary and served until the end of the
war. Caroline died while James was in the service. In 1865 James settled in DeKalb County
Indiana and married Mary S. Arrants of Milford Center Ohio. Mary died following the birth
of a son Vilvor James May, who was born on August 08, 1867. On January 11, 1869 James
married Julia A. Mluholand of Carey Ohio. To this marriage two daughters, Sylvia H May,
and Alma May were born. Alma's married name was Sweeney and she had two sons, Jack
Sweeney and Joseph Sweeney. Silvia married twice, first to a Mr. Hamilton, then to Robert
B. VanSkike. Sylvia d!
ied on April 24, 1940 in Kenosha WI. The father of James John May was John May of England.
The 1850 census shows a John Mays and wife Ann, with children resided in Medina Ohio,
however they do not appear on the 1860 census in Medina. By 1860 James John May's
residence was probably St. Johns Michigan where he interred the Union Army. It is possible
his father John and family relocated there also. James died September 26, 1908 in Auburn
IN., and is buried there in Woodlawn Cemetery with his last wife Julia.
James John May was my GG grandfather, and I am seeking information on all members of this
family with particular interest in his parents and their children. His second wife Mary S.
Arrants was my GG grandmother, and I am most interested in her family and origin.
Richard P. May
rmayn9hv(a)megsinet.net
Descendants of John May
1 John May Abt.1813 - ?
.. +(Probably) Ann? Abt.1815 - ?
........ 2 James John May 1835 - 1908 Born in England, Lived and died in Dekalb Co. IN.
............ +Caroline C. Smith ? - Abt.1862
......... *2nd Wife of James John May:
............ +Mary S Arrants ? - 1868 Probably died in DeKalb Co. IN.
................... 3 Vilver James May 1867 - 1923 Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
....................... +Minnie Lanning 1867 - 1959 Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
............................. 4 George Harold May 1892 - 1957 Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
............................. 4 Forest Levert May 1893 - 1972 Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
.......... *3rd Wife of James John May:
............ +Julia A Mluholand 1842 - 1908
................... 3 Sylvia May 1875 - 1940 Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
....................... +Mr. Hamilton
.................... *2nd Husband of Sylvia May:
....................... +Robert B. VanSkike
................... 3 Alma May Born in Dekalb Co. IN.
....................... +Mr. Sweeney
............................. 4 Jack Sweeney
............................. 4 Joseph Sweeney
........ 2 (Probably) Frances Ann May 1834 -
........ 2 (Probably) Emma May 1841 -
........ 2 (Probably) George May 1843 -
........ 2 (Probably) Georgania May 1847 -
........ 2 (Unknown)
........ 2 (Unknown)