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Biography of James S. Pancake

From PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO
[Chapman Bros., 1892]

JAMES S. PANCAKE, a substantial and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Range Township, Madison County, is a native of the locaility which is still his home. He was born October 14, 1832. His father was born in Virginia, in 1789, came to Ohio in 1806, and served in the War of 1812, under Gen. Harrison. He was a pioneer farmer of Madison County, and here married Miss Jane Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to the county in 1812. They were both members of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Pancake assisted in building the first Midway church and aided in organizing the first class at a log schoolhouse, a mile south of Midway, of which he was the first Class-leader. He also faithfully served as Trustee. Mr. Pancake was a self-made man, but by his own efforts won a competence. He came to this county at a day when the Indians were still plentiful and when deer were seen in large herds, and was numbered among its honored pioneers. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat and was man firm in his convictions of right and wrong. He was three times married. Four children of the first union grew to mature years and had families, and two are still living. By the third marriage, there were three children, but the eldest, Toland, died leaving one son, who bears his father's name and is now residing in the West. Our subject's sister, Mrs. Jane Johnson, resides in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, and has six children.

J. S. Pancake remained on his father's farm until nineteen years of age, when he began clerking in Midway. After two years, he formed a partnership with J. Q. Winshall, of London, and Samuel Withrow, and began business for himself. The connection continued for two years, after which Mr. Pancake established a store of his own and was alone in business for about two years. About this time, he was married to Miss Elaenor W. Foster, their union being celebrated January 23, 1856. The lady was born near Danville, Ohio, January 23, 1837, and was married on her eighteenth birthday. Her parents were James and Margaret (Boyer) Foster. Her father owned about two thousand acres of land, and did not want our subject to follow merchandising, offering to give him a farm if he would abandon that occupation, which Mr. Pancake did. He resided upon his farm for twenty-eight years and it is still his property. He has increased his landed possessions considerably since that time and now owns seven hundred and forty-one acres of valuable land. Unlike most of his family, Mr. Pancake is a Republican, having supported that party since he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has served as President of the Board of Education for a number of years but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time to his business interests and the enjoyment of his home. At the age of twenty-one, he became a member of the Methodist Church, to which all of his family belonged. He has been Class-leader and Steward for twenty-eight years and Recording Steward for twenty-seven years. He was Sunday-school Superintendent for more than twenty years, and his labors in relation to the church have been productive of much good.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pancake were born three sons and two daughters: Jesse, who was born on a farm in Range Township, June 15, 1860, attended school in London, and pursued a course in book-keeping and banking in the Commercial College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he was graduated. He was then book-keeper in the Central Bank of London for several years, after which he went to Kansas, and invested his capital in town property at Greensburgh. After three months spent at that place, he became book-keeper and cashier for Sells Brothers, of Columbus, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in harness. Jennie, born in Range Township, May 2, 1864, is the wife of Dr. Edward Meade, of Midway, by whom she has one child. Ida Grace, born October 11, 1868, is the wife of Everett Beale, who resides near Mt. Sterling, and has one child. Earl Foster was born December 14, 1876, and Harford H. was born October 20, 1879.

Mr. Pancake has been very successful in his business dealings. By industry, enterprise and good management, he has acquired a handsome property and become well-to-do. In 1883, he erected an elegant residence upon his farm. His home is one of the best places in the community, the land has been tiled, the fields are under a high state of cultivation and fine buildings have been erected.

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