CHARLES B. ANDERSON.  How dependent a community is upon its internal commerce!  How helpless we should be without the wonderful medium of exchange which has been evolved by man out of the wonderful experiences of the ages for the convenient merging of the interdependent relations of supply and demand!  A local community is well judged by the condition of its commercial establishments and it may properly be taken for granted that all is well with that town whose business houses are well ordered, well equipped and well managed, conducted with a view to the best and most helpful accommodation of the patrons of the same.  The merchants of a city well may be considered its ablest conservators; for upon them so much depends in the way of keeping the “tone” of the city up to its highest pitch.  The city of London, county seat of Madison county, is fortunate, indeed, in the possession of an unusually high grade of local merchants, all of whom ever have the best interests of the city at heart.  Among these typically representative citizens few are better known or more deservedly popular than the amiable gentleman with whom this biographical sketch is to treat more directly in the succeeding paragraphs, a sketch so well meriting a place in this historical work that the biographer takes pleasure in here presenting it for the consideration of the readers of this volume.
     Charles B. Anderson, senior member of the well-known firm of Anderson & Hume, hardware merchants, of London, this county, was born at Irontown, Ohio, on Oct. 9, 1865, son of Thomas Stewart and Candice (Hysell) Anderson, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of this state.  Thomas Stewart Anderson was a tinner and lived at Pomeroy, this state, for more than thirty years, but in 1881 moved to this county, locating at London, where his death occurred in 1893, he then being fifty-one years of age.  His widow is still living in London.  T. S. Anderson and his wife were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having two sisters, Mrs. Walter J. Dwyer and Mrs. Boyd Byers, both living at Columbus. Ohio.
     When his parents moved to London.  Charles B. Anderson was twelve years of age. consequently his education was completed in the schools of London.  For seventeen years he was employed in the store of Jones & Thomas, which firm later was changed to Thomas & Cryder.  In the year 1900 Mr. Anderson engaged in business for himself, succeeding C. W. Farrar, in the hardware business, under the firm name of Anderson & Speasmaker, the firm later changing its name to Anderson & Ganschow and still later to Anderson & Hume, its present style. a mutually agreeable and very successful partnership.  Anderson & Hume being one of the best-known firms engaged in the hard ware business in this section of the state, the store being one of the largest of its kind in central Ohio.
     In May 1899, Charles B. Anderson was united in marriage to Anna Biedenbach, of London, to which union one child has been born, a son, Stewart.
     Mr. Anderson is a member of the London lodge of the Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen.  For years he has been one of the most energetic leaders in the commercial life of the county seat and few names in this county are better known than his.  With a reputation for fair dealing, enterprise and activity in the business life of his home city, Mr. Anderson has the confidence and respect of his business associates and is held in the highest esteem by all hereabout.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 499

DANIEL ANDERSON.  One of the well-known citizens of Monroe township, Madison county, Ohio, is Daniel Anderson, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch.  Mr. Anderson is one of those worthy men who through long years of labor and faithful performance of duty has acquired a competence, and now in the later years of life he is able to retire from the more active duties of his farm home.  Mr. Anderson started out for himself in life when only a youth and he owes solely to his own efforts all of which he stands possessed at the present time.  His homestead of one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land is located mainly in Canaan township at the point where both Monroe and Jefferson townships touch the border of the former named, the land being located in all three townships.  In this same county and close to the town of London, Mr. Anderson was born on May 28, 1841, being a son of Daniel and Louisa (Allen) Anderson.
     Daniel Anderson, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was also a native of the state of Ohio, born about four miles from Xenia, and was in his turn a son of Daniel.  This first Daniel, together with his wife, came from Scotland, where both had been born and reared, and were numbered among the early settlers of Greene county, this state.  They located on the Buckskin road, in that county, and there passed their remaining days, having the reputation of being numbered among the most excellent and enterprising citizens of that time and community.
     Daniel Anderson, Sr., was married in Clark county to Louisa Allen, and there they made their home for the following four years. after which time they came into Madison county, where the balance of their lives were spent.  Daniel and Louisa (Allen) Anderson had a family of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, but of the number only three are now living: Drucilla, the eldest of the family, died at her home in Illinois; Allen, who was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company A, Fortieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from 1861 to the close of hostilities in 1865, is also deceased; Miranda is deceased: William, deceased, went through the Civil War as a private in the same company with his brother Allen; Nancy died at her home in Illinois; Daniel, the immediate subject of this sketch; Frances M., the wife of Thomas Pugh; Wesley, the youngest of the family, makes his home in New Carlisle; Gus, who was a private in the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, is deceased.
     Mr. Anderson's father died when he was but a boy and his mother married again.  Soon after, when fourteen years of age, he began life independently on his own account, turning to the work of a farmer as the way he would win his living.  Daniel Anderson was married on Oct. 16, 1861, to Manzella Ortman, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Harlin) Ortman, both natives of Maryland, the former descended from German emigrants and the latter from an Irish family.  Mr. Anderson’s wife was also born in Maryland, close to Harper's Ferry, and was a child of eight years when her parents made the journey to Indiana.  The family located first in Wayne county of that state, where they remained but a year, and then moved to Franklin county, Ohio, where they spent the balance of their lives, close to the town of West Jefferson.  Both parents died as a result of pneumonia, the father on Nov. 18, 1856, and the mother about one year later, on Nov. 28, 1857.  They were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to years of manhood and womanhood except one child who died in infancy.  Out of that family there are four living at the present time.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born two children, Thomas M., who at the present time resides on the home farm with the father; and Maude, who became the wife of George Wear, of Columbus, Ohio.  Mr. Anderson is and has been for a good many years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In politics he votes for his choice of man, regardless of any party ticket.
     Mr. Anderson has many interesting stories to tell of his early struggles to gain a foothold on the ladder of success and also many interesting things to recount concerning the conditions surrounding life in this community when he was young.  He relates that when he was married his sole worldly possessions consisted of one horse, saddle and bridle, and of this be disposed in order to raise sufficient money to purchase the necessary articles with which to go to housekeeping.  He then rented a farm from “Billy” Wilson and remained there over four years, when he purchased the farm where he has since resided, having lived continuously in this township for over fifty years.
     It has been said that about the highest tribute which can be paid a man is an honorable and long-continued residence in any one locality, and when it is stated that Mr. Anderson enjoys most justly the respect and high esteem of his fellow citizens, he is accorded the fine tribute to which he is entitled.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 710

JAMES R. ANDERSON.   James R. Anderson, a farmer of Pleasant township, was born on Oct. 19, 1872, in the township which is his present home.  His parents were James B. and Amelia J. (Deyo) Anderson, to whom six children were born.
     James B. Anderson, one of the most progressive and best-known farmers of this district, was a man of Unusual activity.  His interest in public affairs and his political importance led to his‘ being elected county commissioner in 1896, in which office he served two terms.  His far-sightedness is indicated by the fact that he was among the first to start the interurban lines in Madison county, Ohio.  The son of Stephen and Margaret (McGowan) Anderson, to whom ten children were born, he was early compelled to take up his share of the burden of making a livelihood.  His father was born in May, 1808, in Kentucky, and came to Madison county with his parents when he was only two years of age, and their home was where Mt. Sterling is now located.  Later on he had the honor of helping to lay out that village in town lots.
     Among other enterprises in which Stephen Anderson was interested was a flour mill. which he built from the savings of his early meager earnings.  The beginning of his fortune, however, was in the thirty acres of land which be leased from a neighbor in Pleasant township.  With evident foresight and business acumen, he cleared this land and planted it in corn and disposed of his first crop, together with the lease, for two hundred dollars.  With this money he bought a team of horses and started on his career as a farmer, thus it would appear establishing the line of activity for the following generations of his family.  He owned, at the time of his death, in 1893, six hundred and fifty acres of land.  He was a sturdy, hard-working, progressive farmer, absolutely loyal to his friendships.  His wife, who was born in 1811, in this county, died in 1875.
     The father of the subject of this sketch, whose family dates back to Scotch-Irish descent, the family first emigrating to Pennsylvania, was reared on the family farm in Pleasant township. receiving all of the education afforded by the district school and the London high school, which he attended for two terms.  In 1857 he was fortunate enough to fall heir to one hundred acres of land.   James B. Anderson was twice married, his first wife, Amelia Deyo, being the mother of six children. of whom James R. is next to the youngest.  The first Mrs. Anderson was born in 1839, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and was the daughter of Jerry and Hannah (Alkire) Deyo.  Her death took place in February, 1883.  Her children by Mr. Anderson were as follow: Mrs. Margaret A. Matlock, of Pickaway county; Ella, who became Mrs. J. W. Corney, of Union county, Ohio; Jerry S., deceased; Stephen; James R.; Mrs. Myrtle Rafferty, of Henry county, Ohio.  After the death of his first wife, Mr. Anderson married Lacy Alkire, whose family is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, the wedding taking place in 1885.
     James B. Anderson was a very extensive promoter and, like his father, a progressive man.  He was one of a company of men to plan the building of a railroad across Madison county from Columbus to Cincinnati, but although considerable money and time was spent in the project it did not meet with success.  As a monument to his skill in building, however, the county has several large steel bridges.  He was fond of blooded stock, and owned fine Duroc-Jersey hogs.
     The war record of this patriot was rather unique, in that he felt that he served his country better by remaining at home than he would have done by enlisting and going to the front.  He formed a company of recruits and drilled them at Camp Chase, preparing them for future service.  In his zeal for his country, he spared neither time nor money in recruiting and training his company.  His energies won him the title of Captain Anderson.  After all of these extensive preparations were made, his sympathetic heart was touched by the helplessness of the women and children who had been deprived of the protection of nearly all the able - bodied men.  So he laid down his sword, took off his military cap and returned to his ordinary pursuits, at the same time looking after the needs of the villagers.  James B. Anderson died on July 15, 1904.
     It was not until his twenty-eighth years that James R. Anderson left the home of his parents, and after the death of his father, having inherited seventy acres of land, he added to this one hundred and twenty acres on Deer creek, Pleasant township, and thus began his personal career as a farmer.  It was not long before he saw an advantage in the purchase of an old grist-mill with twenty-six acres of land which had belonged to his father, and there he lived for three years.  In 1908 he bought the farm upon which his present home is located, from his uncle, William P. Anderson, and moved onto it the following year.  He remodeled all the old buildings and built several new.  The tract now comprises four hundred acres of land.  Mr. Anderson is a stock holder of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling, besides owning a one-third interest in a hardware store at Harrisburg, Ohio.
     Mary E. Bower, a native of Madison county, became the wife of James R. Anderson on Mar. 27, 1901.  She is the daughter of Jesse and Minerva (Stone) Bower, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and was born on Mar. 12, 1877, in Pleasant town ship.  She was reared in Columbus. Ohio, by her aunt, Mrs. George W. Ray, and was educated in the public schools of that city.  The children born of this marriage are James B., born on May 27, 1905, and Francis Earl, Apr. 16, 1909.
     Mr. Anderson has always been a loyal Republican, a church attendant and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Bigplain.  As a man of strong character and genial nature, Mr. Anderson is widely and popularly known, and such is his reputation for honesty and loyalty that to be his friend is considered an honor.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 827

MRS. LACY ANDERSON.   There are few to whom the day does not bring a return of the tasks that grow irksome and of duties that one would fain neglect.  But the stout heart does not ask how nor why.  It shoulders the burden and bears it uncomplainingly, deeming as incidents the events and circumstances which to others would be insurmountable obstacles.  Below are given a few of the facts concerning a life remarkable for its tenacity of purpose, its clearness of vision and its executive ability.  Mrs. Anderson's life has been one full of interest as well as unusual activity.  Left a widow by the death of her husband.  Mrs. Anderson has bravely borne the burdens which usually fall to the lot of man.  She is a native of Mt. Sterling, having been born near there on Jan. 25, 1857, the place of her birth being where a part of the Mt. Sterling cemetery now is located.  She is the daughter of Robert H. and Harriet (Fitzgerald) Alkire, prominent citizens of this region.
     Robert H. Alkire was born on Oct. 14, 1830, on the same farm which afterward became the birthplace of his daughter and his own permanent residence.  He died near Big Plains on Jan. 8, 1912.  His parents were William and Katherine (Neff) Alkire natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of William were Robert and Elizabeth Alkire, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of William were Robert and Elizabeth (Douglas) Alkire who originally came from the state of Kentucky.  Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Alkire were the parents of the following children.  Lacy, the subject of this sketch; Lydia M., deceased; Catherine, of Fairfield township; Edward W., a lumber merchant at Columbus, Ohio; Ella M., who died on Feb. 2, 1915; George F., who married J. T. Graham and is living at Columbus; Florence M., who became Mrs. J. T. Wilson, and is now deceased, and Belle W., who is now Mrs. Bell, of Columbus.
     In 1815, Robert H. Alkire and James B. Anderson became parties to what afterward transpired to be a romance, for they drove a herd of cattle from Mt. Sterling, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Lacy Alkire later became Mr. Anderson's wife, but neither of the two men had the slightest idea at that time that the daughter of one of them would be the wife of the other.
     Lacy Alkire had only such training for her future career as would come naturally to the daughter of a farmer.  She had no other schooling besides that acquired in the "little red school house" of Fairfield township, to which township her father had moved in 1862, and the high school of London, in which she studied for one term and qualified as a teacher but never taught.
     Lacy Alkire was married to James B. Anderson in 1884.  The history of James B. Anderson will be found in the sketch of James R. Anderson, presented elsewhere in this work.  Undaunted by the death of her husband, Mrs. Anderson operated the farm in the same capable manner that had characterized her husband's work.  Besides processing a lifetime lease on one hundred and four acres, Mrs. Anderson owns Fairland township property amounting to fifty acres, and is also a stockholder of the First National Bank of Mt. Sterling.
     Mrs. Anderson has had no children of her own but she has adopted Thomas B. Wilson, whose parents were John T. and Florence (Alkire) Wilson, and who is a grandson of Senator Thomas B. Wilson.  The lad was born on the old "Uncle Billy" Wilson farm in Canaan township.
     In spite of her very busy life Mrs. Anderson has found time to be a helpful member of the First Presbyterian church of Mt. Sterling, to which she has been a generous contributor.  There are few professions requiring more arduous labor and careful planning than are necessary in the administration of a farm.  One must not only be industrious but one must have executive ability in order to make the enterprise yield the largest returns.  In order to achieve this result, the subject of this sketch has had to possess the same business qualities which characterize her competitors.  That she has succeeded speaks volumes for her ability in this direction.  She has not only been hard working and energetic but has been honorable in all of her dealings and most considerate of the feelings and rights of others.
     In this volume which is concerned principally with the histories of men, it is of especial interest to include the life history of a woman who has been successful in her line of endeavor.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 902

JAMES W. ANDRIX.   One mile east of the village of Summerford on the old National road may be found one of the most enterprising and intelligent farmers of Madison county.  He is James W. Andrix, a man who, while not owning land is a large farmer and has an enormous capital invested in stock and farm equipment.  Altogether, Mr. Andrix is a live, energetic, far-seeing and successful business man and agriculturist.
     James W. Andrix was born near Duvall, Pickaway county.  Aug. 27, 1854, and has spent most of his life on the farm.  He taught school in Pickaway county for some time, but soon took up farming.  Nothing has ever seemed so attractive to him as the farm and no life has seemed so inviting as rural life.  He has always been keenly interested in cattle and hogs, and from these has made most of his money.
     Mr. Andrix operates a part of the Baldwin-Gwynne farm of twelve hundred acres.  He directly has charge of seven hundred and fifty-five acres, and here he has lived for five years, paying cash rent.  Formerly, he kept the farm largely in grass, feeding from ninety to one hundred head of steers all the time, and one hundred and forty head of hogs.  Recently the rent was raised and he has been compelled to plow much of the blue-grass pasture land.  In 1915 he has about four hundred and ten acres of the farm in corn and will feed the entire product to hogs.  Mr. Andrix employs several men and to grow the corn he uses twenty horses to operate the farm.  He has lived in Madison and Franklin counties for twenty years.  Formerly, be operated a large tract, including the Allen G. Thurman farm of five hundred and seventy acres, and the part of the Dun land.  He is not unaccustomed to large investments in stock and farm equipment.  Being accustomed to handle large propositions either with his own money or with good financial backing, he is not at all startled when face to face with difficult enterprises.
     At the age of twenty-four, James W. Andrix was married to Emma Wagner a native of Pickaway county.  The Andrix and Wagner family came originally from Pennsylvania. about 1840.  Mr. Andrix’s father. Jacob, settled in Pickaway county, where he was married to Sarah Sawyer, whose grandfather was burned by the Indians.  He was caught in a pen of buckwheat straw which he was threshing, and, after being tied, was burned with the straw.  Jacob Andrix was a pioneer farmer in Pickaway and Franklin counties and was an extensive stock drover.
     Mr. and Mrs. James W. Andrix have reared in family of eleven children.  Roy is a turnkey at the Columbus prison.  Clyde is on the farm with his father.  Perrill is a farmer near Florence, in Madison county.  Ina is the wife of Carl Guthell.  James was killed, Oct. 23, 1914, while serving as a prison guard in the Ohio State penitentiary.  The tragedy occurred at dinner time when James was stabbed by a convict.  He was a highly-respected man. Nellie was a teacher at Tradersville in 1913-14 and is now teaching at Summerford.  Fletcher is a farmer in Franklin county.  Ruth B. and Mabel live at home.  John is a clerk in the postoffice at Columbus, and Irwin lives at home with his parents.
     Mr. Andrix believes that the rainbow comes down in Madison county.  His advice is widely sought and is given large weight.  On one occasion Mr. Andrix’s advice was sought by a dairyman, living near Columbus, as to selling his dairy and feeding steers.  He advised holding the dairy but selling the land worth four hundred dollars per acre and buying a larger tract in Madison county.  This is merely an example to show that the people believe in the wisdom and judgment of James W. Andrix.  He is a stanch Republican.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 758

M. B. ARMSTRONG.   In the industrial life of Madison county few enterprises have a greater reputation for excellence of output or a higher standing in business circles throughout this part of the state than has the Thomas & Armstrong Company, manufacturers of the celebrated “Buckeye Goods," sheet-metal products, which find a wide and ready market throughout the country.  As the president of this well-known company, M. B. Armstrong has a wide acquaintance in manufacturing and business circles in central Ohio and occupies a high place therein, his associates having unbounded confidence in the soundness of his judgments on industrial matters.
     M. B. Armstrong was born at Columbus, Ohio, on June 1, 1867, son of Frank and Amanda (Harker) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of Miami county, this state.  Frank Armstrong was a well-known manufacturer of sheet-metal goods at Columbus, who died in 1885.  His widow survived him a little more than ten years, her death not occurring until in 1896.  They were the parents of four children, all sons.  M. B. Armstrong having three brothers, Richard D., Frank H. and C. C. Armstrong, all of whom live at Marysville, this state.
     His father having been in the sheet-metal trade, M. B. Armstrong may be said to have been born to the business in which he has made so great a success.  He became thoroughly grounded in the details of this trade at Columbus and in 1892 came to this county, locating at London, where, after working for a time as a mechanic in a local concern, he entered the sheet-metal trade for himself and was thus engaged until 1906, in which year he formed a partnership with the late M. M. Thomas, for years a well known hardware merchant of London, in the manufacture of sheet-metal goods of all kinds, under the firm name of Thomas & Armstrong.  From the very start this enterprise was successful and the concern of which Mr. Armstrong is the strong and efficient head is now one of the best-known concerns of its kind in the country.  Upon the death of M. M. Thomas in 1910 the company was incorporated as the Thomas & Armstrong Company, Mr. Armstrong being elected president, which position he ever since has held. On another page in this volume the important enterprise with which Mr. Armstrong is so prominently identified is dealt with at some length, the reader being respectfully referred to the same for further details regarding it.
     In 1890 M. B. Armstrong was united in marriage to Charlotte Saunders of Columbus, Ohio, and to this union two children have been born, Marie, who married Dr. Peter Engard, of Columbus, this state, and Virginia.  Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are active in the good works of their home city and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends.  Mr. Armstrong takes an earnest interest in the, civic affairs of the town and has an honorable record of service in the city council of London.  He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is very popular with his lodge associates, as well as with his associates in his extensive business operations and enjoys the utmost confidence of the entire community, in which he is held in the highest regard by reason of his fine public spirit and enterprising characteristics, he being generally recognized as one of the most forceful factors in the business life of the county.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 934

ROBERT W. ARMSTRONG.   Among the well-known farmers and citizens of Union township, Madison county, Ohio, is Robert W. Armstrong, who is a native of this county, born in Range township, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Johnston) Armstrong.
     Samuel Armstrong was born in Union township, and was a son of James Armstrong and wife, early settlers of Madison county.  Sarah Johnston was born in Range township, this county, and was married to Samuel Armstrong here.  They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Jessie, the wife of Fred Brundage, of Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth, living in London; Samuel, a resident of Union township, and Robert W., the youngest born, the immediate subject of this brief review.
     Samuel Armstrong was a merchant and live stock dealer, and one of the largest shippers of Madison county.  He was a prosperous and influential citizen who took a worthy interest in all public affairs, and was highly respected and esteemed in his community.  He died in 1904, and his wife died on Oct. 12, 1897, and is buried at Kirkwood.
     Robert W. Armstrong received a common-school education in the public schools of his home township, and lived at home with his parents until his marriage, which took place on Oct. 2, 1902. His wife was Edna B. Weygandt, a daughter of George and Ida May (Baker) Weygandt, of Grove City, Ohio.  George Weygandt was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents when a young man.  They settled in Franklin county, Ohio, on a farm.  Ida May Baker was a native of Franklin county, and was married in that county to George Weygandt, and to this union were born three children, all of whom are living.  Mabel is the wife of M. E. Donnely, of Springfield, Ohio.  Edna B. is the wife of Mr. Armstrong, and Carl B. is a resident of Springfield, Ohio.  Mrs. Armstrong's parents are also residents of Springfield, Ohio.
     Mr. and Mrs. Robert Armstrong are the parents of one son, Robert Edgar, who was born on Sept. 22, 1905.  Mr. Armstrong is a prominent farmer and stockman of Union township, and operates three hundred acres of the old Fulton Armstrong place.
     Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and takes an active interest in local public affairs, and is now serving his third term as president of the township board.  He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Oak Run Grange, holding his membership in all these lodges at London.  Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the Presbyterian church at London.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 905

SAMUEL C. ARMSTRONG.   Madison county has been fortunate in the number and character of its farmers, and much of the material prosperity of the county can be attributed to the fact that the farmers have kept abreast of the times.  It can hardly be questioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization‘ of a community.  If the farmers are progressive and up-to-date, it follows that the standard of living in that community will be high.  Thousands of banks have been organized within the last two years in order to supply the needs of the farmers, and, according to one authority, the farmer and his crops furnish the bulk of the money for most of the smaller banks throughout the United States.  The wholesome living, which is the good fortune of the farmer, is a factor in keeping up the general tone of the county.  The business men of the towns are drawing the men for their employees from the country, and everywhere it is noted that the men who are rising to prominence in the various activities of life were born and reared on the farm.  Madison county has long been known as one of the very best farming counties of the state.  Its excellent farmers have been one of the biggest factors in the material advancement of the county.  Among the many excellent farmers of Madison county, there is none who stand higher than Samuel C. Armstrong, of Union township.  He owns a splendid farm of one hundred and seventy acres, and has just completed the construction of a modern home.
     Samuel C. Armstrong was born in Sedalia, Madison county, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1875, and is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Johnson) Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Union township, and the latter in Range township.  They were married in Madison county and had seven children, four of whom are living.  Three died in infancy.  The four living children are Jessie, Elizabeth, Samuel C. and Robert.  Jessie is the wife of Fred Brundage, of Columbus.  Elizabeth lives in London. Samuel C. is the subject of this sketch.  Robert lives in Union township.
     Samuel Armstrong was engaged in the mercantile business.  He also bought and shipped live stock and was one of the largest shippers in Madison county.  He died in 1904.  His wife died on Oct. 12, 1897.
     Samuel Armstrong was the son of James and Nancy (Fulton) Armstrong, who were married on Mar. 24, 1791, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1814 settled in Madison county, where they built a cabin.  One year later James Armstrong brought to Madison county the others of his family who had not come in 1814.  He and his wife had eight children.  They were farmers all their lives.
     Samuel C. Armstrong, the subject of this sketch. received a good common-school education, and on Nov. 17, 1903. was married to Carrie May Murray, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Truitt) Murray, both of whom are natives of Madison county.  Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Armstrong have had two children, both of whom are living.  Mary Louise was born on Sept. 21, 1904, and Ruth Elein was born on July 31, 1911.
     Mr. Armstrong owns one hundred and seventy acres of fine land in Union township.  He is a man who takes a very commendable pride in farming, and his farm shows the results of his careful attention.  Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at London.  He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Union township school board.  The Armstrong home is located five miles southeast of London, in Union township.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 916

J. R. ATCHISON.   The attention of the reader is now invited to a brief and modest review of the career of J. R. Atchison, the well-known druggist of London, this county, probably one of the best-known and most popular men in Madison county.  Mr. Atchison is a fine example of the best type of American business men, energetic, enterprising, progressive and public spirited, and his influence in the commercial and social life of the county-seat town has been usefully exerted for many years.  Born in that city, he has for forty-seven years been actively identified with the city's business interests and in that time has created a name for fair dealing and courteous attention to the needs of his trade that must be exceedingly gratifying to him.
     J. R. Atchison was born in the city of London, county seat of Madison county, Ohio, on Mar. 28, 1851, son of John J. and Rebecca (Rosser) Atchison, the former of whom was a Kentuckian and the latter a native of Wales.  John J. Atchison was a son of Charles Atchison, who was a pioneer in Madison county, having come here from Kentucky prior to the county’s formation.  John J. Atchison was born in Madison county and moved into London when a young man.  He built his home on Main street on part of the original plot purchased by his father in 1817.  The subject of this sketch, J. R. Atchison, was born at this place.  John J. Atchison was a cabinetmaker.  He was a member of the London lodge of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of which order he was deeply interested. His death occurred in 1851, he then being but thirty-one years of age.  His widow survived him almost thirteen years, her death occurring in 1864.  They were the parents of five children. of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one now living.
     Being bereft of his mother when he was thirteen years of age.  J. R. Atchison was deprived of that parental care so dear to the hearts of children.  His elementary education, however, was not neglected and he received excellent schooling in the public schools of London and in the old Collegiate Institute, at Battleground, Indiana.  In 1868 he was employed as a clerk in the drug store of his cousin, Auburn Smith, at London, and in 1872 he and his cousin started another drug store in the same town, under the firm name of J. R. Atchison & Company, a partnership which continued for about two years, at the expiration of which time Mr. Atchison sold his interest and, on account of failing health. retired from the store and for five years was successfully employed as a traveling salesman.  He then returned to the drug business in London and in 1883 bought his present store, which at that time was located next door to its present advantageous location.
     On Apr. 2, 1873, J. R. Atchison was united in marriage to Myra B. Wilson, who was born in Pennsylvania, and to this union three children have been born.  Cora, Eloise and Eva (Mrs. D. F. Cofrode), of London, this county.
     Mr. Atchison is a Republican and takes a prominent part in the political affairs of the city and county.  He is a member of the state board of election supervisors and a member of the board of park commissioners of his home town.  For many years he was a member of the London city school board and has served several terms as member of the city council, having been a member of that body at the time the sanitary sewer system was constructed.  He also was trustee of Union township for several years and now is a member of the board of county visitors, the body that inspects the county penal and charitable institutions.  He is a Knight Templar of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.  Mr. Atchison's career of intelligent application to business has brought its proper reward and he is regarded as one of the most substantial business men in his home city. In social affairs, Mr. Atchison for years has taken a close personal interest, always having been concerned in the general betterment of the community, and is one of the founders of the influential London Club, a social club that is a credit to the town.
     Energetic and enterprising, Mr. Atchison has done well his part in the life of the community in which he has lived all his life and has the confidence and esteem of everyone hereabout, he and his family being held in the very highest regard by all.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published by B. F. Bowden & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - 1915 - Page 611