J. F. WILGUS, who owns and resides upon a valuable farm of seventy- two acres in Lost Creek Township, Miami County Ohio, comes of an old and prominent family of the county. He was born in this township on November 7, 1860, and is a son of John H. and Dulcina (Frazee) Wilgus, a grandson of Thomas Wilgus, and great-grandson of William Wilgus. It is an old Quaker family which was established in this country by four brothers, who came from England during the colonial days.

William Wilgus, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, and there followed the trade of a tailor. At an early date, accompanied by his wife and children, he went with a team and wagon to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was offered a quarter section of land in what now is the heart of the city for his team and wagon, but not liking the place, he decided to return to his old home in New Jersey. He got to a point near Lebanon, in Warren County, Ohio, where he lost a horse, and as a result was obliged to spend the winter there. He liked the community so well he determined to remain, and there purchased a farm of 120 acres. There he followed his trade a few years, and farmed until his death, at an advanced age. He and his wife reared a large family.

Thomas Wilgus, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey, and was a mere child when the family moved to Warren County, Ohio. He began working on the home farm, and continued at home until his first marriage. In 1834 he moved with his wife and children to Miami County, Ohio, where he purchased a half section of land in Lost Creek Township, a part of which is now owned by William Wilgus. Mrs. Wilgus, who was in maiden life Anna Hunt, died three weeks after the arrival of the family in this county. They had two children: John; and Mary, who became the wife of John Babb, both now deceased. Thomas Wilgus was later married to Hannah Robinson, and they had the following children: William, of Lost Creek Township; Michael, of Casstown; Thomas, of Fletcher, and Anna, deceased wife of H. Brecount. The mother of this family died in 1883, and her husband in March, 1888.

John Hunt Wilgus was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 5, 1831, and was three years old when his parents moved to Lost Creek Township, in Miami County. His mother dying soon after, he was taken to raise by her people in Warren County, with whom he lived until he was fifteen years of age. Having arrived at the age where he could be of assistance, he went to live with his father on the farm. He received a very meager education, attending the district schools about three months each winter. He remained with his father until his marriage, then purchased a farm of 100 acres in Lost Creek Township, on which they set up housekeeping. He later sold that property and purchased the present farm of our subject from the Frazee heirs. He followed farming throughout his entire life. He was united in marriage with Dulcina Frazee, who was reared on the farm now owned by her son, J. F .Wilgus, and was a daughter of Lewis Frazee. Her grandfather, David Frazee, a Baptist minister, located in Lost Creek Township at an early date and became the owner of a vast tract of land. John H. Wilgus survived his wife some years, dying May 15, 1908; her death occurred July 24, 1900. They were parents of the following children: Lewis F., of North Dakota; John Franklin; G. Rousseau; Thomas, of West Milton; Ralph H., of West Milton; William W.; and three who died in infancy.

John Franklin Wilgus was reared on the farm and attended the district schools in the vicinity, and the business college at Lebanon, Ohio. He has devoted his activity to farming throughout his career, and has been very successful. He has seventy- two acres in the farm on which he lives, and also has an interest in the old estate. He purchased his farm of Mrs. Mary Blackford, and in 1892 erected a substantial residence, which was destroyed by fire in 1908. He is a Republican in politics, and for sixteen years has served on the school board.

December 9, 1888, Mr. Wilgus was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Bright, a daughter of Adam Bright, of Addison, Ohio. Two children were born to them, namely: Ellwood M. and J. Adam. Mrs. Wilgus died on April 3, 1905. Mr. Wilgus has a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the country, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree.