"OLD PEOPLE"
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"A Partial List of Grant County's Oldest Citizens",
published September 16, 1887
(Part 3)
John Sheron, of West Marion, was born near Mt.Pleasant, Delaware, March
10, 1804, of English descent. He lived in Delaware until he was about fifteen
years old, when he moved to Pennsylvania, where he lived a year, and then to
Harrison County, O., where he married Matilda Hovener, and lived there until
1854, when he came to Grant County. In 1876 Mrs. Sheron died, the mother of
eleven children, eight of whom are living. In 1876 he married Nancy Davis.
Fifty years ago Mr. Sheron joined the M.E. church. Afterwards he became a member
of the United Brethren church. About a year ago he joined the M.P. church.
Mr. Sheron is a Democrat in politics. He never used tobacco. Whiskey he has
used sparingly all his life.
Jeremiah Harry, of Marion, will be 83 years old next month. He began as
a printer's apprentice three-quarters of a century ago in Lancaster, O.,
where his fellow apprentice was the late ex-Gov. Brough. In 1841 he came to
Marion and soon after published the first newspaper in Grant county--The Democrat
Herald. Mr. Harry joined the Odd Fellows in 1835, and is still an honored
member of that benevolent body. He is a cheerful and polite old gentleman, fond
of society and very popular. He has been a member of the M.E. church since he
was a boy, and is also a life-long Democrat. He uses considerable tobacco and
liquor sparingly.
John Cain, of Pleasant townsip, was born September 18, 1802, in
Virginia, and came to Grant county fifty-five years ago and entered the land where he
still lives. His wife, Catherine (Bish) is still living and has passed her
eightieth year. They are the oldest couple in the county. They are the parents
of thirteenth children, only two of whom are dead. Their children,
grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren number 250, almost
all of whom live in the neighborhood where the old folks are. Mr. and Mrs. Cain
are members of the M.P. church. Mr. Cain has used tobacco and whiskey
regularly until a few years ago.
John P. Campbell, Sr., of Pleasant township, is a remarkably
well-preserved man. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, came to Ohio in 1837, and to
Indiana in 1838. He is still in vigorous health, and walks to Marion--four
miles--and back every week. He is a great reader, and there has never been a time
that he could not read without glasses. He uses neither tobacco nor liquor.
He is a strong Republican, and a member of the Disciples' church.
George Foster, of Franklin township, was born in Hartford county, Conn.,
May 12, 1806. He learned blacksmithing and clockmaking, and at twenty one
years of age had both of these trades in different places for several years. In
1834, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Frier, of Frederick county, Va., and
in 1848 came to Grant County. He is a Democrat. He uses liquor sparingly. He
does not use tobacco.
Abraham Hedrick, of Pleasant township, is now in his eighty-third year,
and is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1804. In 1833 he entered the
land on which he still resides. A year later he married Miss Sarah Cramer, who
died two years ago. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and is still a
Democrat. He has used tobacco seventy years, and liquor occasionally.
David Hannah, of Green township, a farmer, was born in Bourbon county,
Ky., February 28, 1806, and moved to the "reserve" in Grant county in '51,
from
Rush county, Ind., where he settled in '32. Mr. Hannah is remarkably
well-preserved--a stalwart, hearty old man, with teeth and eyesight better than the
average young man's. He has always been strictly temperate--never having any
use for tobacco not liquor. He is the father of ten children, only one of whom
is dead. He is a member of the Disciples' church, and a Democrat.
To be ocntinued......
Sherry Jones Ryan
San Diego