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


    J. NELSON CONWAY

    J. Nelson Conway, the well-known proprietor of the Conway Laundry of Piqua, and a man of some thirty years' experience in this business, is a native son of Piqua, having been born here on October 10, 1867, the son of John and Jennie (Manson) Conway. John Conway was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1837, where he was for many years identified with the United States postal service as the driver of a mail stage, a business in which his father, James, was also employed for many years in the old Keystone state. Following the trend of emigration westward, John Conway came to Ohio and until the time of his retirement from active life was engaged in the transportation business, first as a boat captain on the Ohio canal and later on the Miami and Erie canals, and after giving up canal boat life, he continued to transport goods with vans and wagons until his advanced age forced him to enter a life of retirement. He died April 17, 1902. His wife, Jennie (Manson) Conway was a native of Shelby county, Ohio, born July 30, 1847, and after her marriage she spent most of her life in Miami county, where she and her husband reared their family of three children and passed their declining years. She died January 19, 1920. To them were born three children: Mattie, the wife of H. M. Alexander, of Miami county, now deceased; J. Nelson, the subject of this biography, and William M.,deceased. J. Nelson Conway attended the common schools of Piqua as well as the high school and early in life evinced an interest and aptitude for the laundry business. With the ultimate object in view of becoming the proprietor of such an establishment, he learned every branch and detail of the calling, and then for four years engaged in a partnership with J. W. Morton, of Piqua. At the termination of this period be bought out Mr. Morton and since that time has conducted the business by himself under the name of the Conway Laundry. The demands of the community upon this enterprise necessitate an extensive plant located at 112-114 East Ash street, and in this two-story brick structure only the most modern of methods are employed. Mr. Conway takes a keen interest in all experiments and discoveries made in the business, and is quick to adopt new plans which, tend toward the more efficient handling of clothes and the saving of wear. He married, on July 8, 1906, Gertrude Raney, a daughter of Charles and Hettie (Furman) Raney, formerly of Melrose, Paulding county, Ohio, but after the death of Mr. Raney, his widow and family removed to Piqua. Both Mr. and Mrs. Charles Raney were born in Shelby county, Ohio, where they were married, later moving to Paulding county, Ohio, where he was wholesale meat dealer, and died while so engaged, January 8, 1890. Mrs. Hettie Raney died May 9, 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. Conway one daughter has been born, Martha Rose, who is attending school. Fraternally, he is one of the more prominent members of the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are affiliated with the Methodist church.

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