Biography of John Lohr
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 900
JOHN LOHR, London, was born in Shenandoah County. Va., April 1816. His father died when he was but three years old. His mother afterward married Samuel Messmore and the family moved to Madison County, Ohio, and settled within two miles of London, in 1820. Until eighteen years of age, Mr. Lohr worked on a farm after which, with the consent of his mother and step-father, he learned the saddler's trade; was engaged at this trade about twelve years and was traveling part of the time. Coming to the conclusion "that a rolling stone gathers no moss" he settled in business in London. In 1844, was united in marriage with Ann Noteman. This lady was the fortunate possessor of an interest in a farm, and Mr. Lohr thinking to better himself by returning to agricultural pursuits, purchased his brother-in-laws interest in the farm, and selling his property in town moved to the farm in 1847, which is situated only five miles distant from where he first settled in this county, and where he at present resides. Mr. Lohr has been the father of ten children, eight of whom are now living. When these children were growing up, Mr and Mrs. Lohr realized that other and higher duties should claim their attention and they united with the First Presbyterian Church at London. We here will quote what Mr. Lohr writes regarding this change. "This was one of the best steps of my life. In our Presbytery and Synod the question has often been discussed. What is the best mode of getting children to attend church? My experience is to go yourself and take the children with you; the result is, my family all belong to the church but one. A short time after I united with the church. I was elected one of the ruling members."
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 1023
JOHN LOHR, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., April 1, 1816; he is a son of Michael and Mary Catherine Lohr, natives of Virginia. The grandfather was Michael Lohr, who, it is believed, was born in Virginia, where he lived and died. He was one of the early settlers of that state, and a farmer by occupation. it is believed he was the father of six children, of whom two yet survive – Catharine, who was never married, and resides on the old home place in Virginia, now aged ninety years; and what is remarkable in her history has never paid but $1.50 in doctor bills during her whole life, and Henry, the other child, who resides in Madison County, Va., past eighty years of age. Michael Lohr, father of our subject, the second child of his father, grew to manhood and married Mary Catharine Miller, a native of Virginia. They settled in his native county, where they resided till his death, February 26, 1819, aged thirty-two years. He was the father of four children – Margaret Ann, born May 7, 1812 (now widow Chapel); George W., born December 4, 1813; John, our subject; and Mary born March 27, 1818 (now Widow Carr). Mrs. Lohr married for her second husband Samuel Messmore, a native of Virginia, born August 18, 1798; by him she had three children – Elizabeth, born April 9, 1821; James M., born November 17, 1823; and Isabel, born October 29, 1830. Mr. Messmore died September 18, 1852; his wife survived till December 29, 1864. John Lohr, the subject of this sketch, was but three years of age when his father died; when four years of age, he was brought by his mother and step-father to Ohio in the fall of 1820, and here he grew to manhood. On December 12, 1844, he married Ann Noteman, who was born in Madison County, Ohio, August 1, 1823, a daughter of William and Ann Noteman; he was born on the ocean and she in Virginia. He was principally raised in Madison County, and was married September 28, 1817. He was the father of four children, all now deceased but Ann. Mr. Noteman died January 14, 1827; his wife died July 12, 1826. Mr. Noteman was one of the earliest settlers of Madison County, and owned the farm where Mr. Lohr now lives. Mr. Lohr first located in London, and there followed his trade as a saddler till the spring of 1848, when he removed to the farm where he now lives and has since resided – a period of thirty-four years. They first lived in a primitive log cabin, since which they have erected all the buildings and made improvements, till now he has a pleasant home with all necessary comforts, and a good farm of 300 acres, more than 200 of which are in pasture and cultivation. Mr. Lohr and wife have had ten children, eight now living – Thorressa, born December 19, 1845 (married Robert Moore); Berthier, born November 13, 1847; Clara, born March 22, 1851 (now Widow Pierce); Angenette, born October 10, 1853; Smith, born November 29, 1856; Ella, born October 4, 1859; Charlie S., born January 29, 1862; Flora, born November 30, 1868. Mr. Lohr is one of the prominent and reliable farmers of Deer Creek Township. He has held the office of Township Trustee several years, and that of School Director for many years. He and family are members of the Presbyterian Church of London, to which he has belonged many years, and in which he has been Elder more than twenty years.
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