Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    J. F. COLVIN

    J. F. COLVIN, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, etc.: P. O. Allen's. Although the firm of Colvin & Frazier have only been engaged in their present business in Lena since 1871, they have succeeded in building up an extended and healthy trade; owing to their experience in the line of dry foods, their judgment is well exercised in adjusting their stock to the demands of the trade; buying such quantities and of such goods as their customers are likely to demand, they have few remnants left on their shelves, and their stock in consequence, represents an unexceptionally neat and attractive appearance; they keep a full line of dry and fancy goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc.; they are of the most successful and substantial business men of the place. J. F. Colvin was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1841; he is a son of  L. W. Colvin, who was born in Kentucky, Sept. 13, 1798; in 1820, he emigrated to Ohio, and located in Warren Co., where he, in 1824, married Mary Proud; she was six years his junior; they were the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living. Our subject is the grandson of Henry and Catherine (Williams) Colvin; their decease occurred in Kentucky; J. F. was brought up to farm labor, and received an academical course of education; in 1860, he emigrated to Illinois, stopping in Champaign Co., where he engaged with Mr. Pratt in the grain trade; he remained until fall of the same year, when he unfortunately had a limb broken, which disabled him from active service; as soon after as possible he moved his quarters to Douglas Co., of the same State, where he began teaching public school, which he continued at intervals for a few years afterward; he engaged a second time with Pratt, where he remained a short time, thence to Delaware, Ohio, and attended a course of study and reviewed its branches; in 1864, he returned home, took charge of his father's farm and cared for his parents until he entered into his present business; since in business in Lena, he has been elected as Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds, Feb. 22, 1866, he married Mary P. Vanhorn, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was three years his junior; her death occurred Nov. 17, 1876; two children were born to them, of whom one is now living, Carrie May, born July 28, 1871.

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