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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE W. JANUARY. The farming element of Greene County finds a worthy representative in the gentleman above named, whose home is in Silver Creek Township, south of Jamestown. He is now quite advanced in years, having been born June 13, 1810, and is spending his declining years in merited repose, after a long and busy life. The farm which he now occupies, has been his home since 1866, and is a valuable piece of property which has been carefully and intelligently managed, and supplied with a full line of buildings and other improvements.

The birth of our subject took place in Adams County, whence his parents removed to Highland County when he was very young, and to Greene County in 1820, he being then about ten years of age. Here he was reared and engaged in farm pursuits, carrying on a successful career within the borders of Silver Creek Township, and while pursuing the even tenor of his way, securing a high degree of respect from all to whom he is known. Although not an office seeker, he has held the minor offices, discharging their duties faithfully and creditably. Since he became a voter, his support has been given to Whig, the Abolition, and the Republican parties.

In Buckingham County, Va., he of whom we write was united in marriage with Mary S. Garnett, a native of that county, who was well reared by worthy parents, and was a noble specimen of Christian womanhood. Her parents, Armsted and Johanna V. (Cook) Garnett, lived and died in that county, where her father was engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were slaveholders, and in excellent financial circumstances. They lived to be quite aged. Their daughter, Mrs. January, remained with them until her marriage, when she came to Ohio and assisted her husband to build up their home, being his cherished companion until October 13, 1888, when she was called hence. She had reached the allotted age of man, having been born in 1818. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was well beloved not only by her immediate family circle, but by many acquaintances.

To Mr. and Mrs. January three sons were born, of whom we note the following: Robert P., who occupies the homestead, married Miss Maggie C. Smith, of this county; James M. is also married, and occupies a farm near Sabina, Clinton County, Ohio; William L. is a successful attorney in Detroit, Mich., his wife being Miss Carrie Broker, who like himself, was educated in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Robert January, the father of our subject, was born in the Blue Grass State, but came to Adams County, Ohio, late in the seventeenth or early in the eighteenth century. There he was married to Mary Wadman, who was born in Somersetshire, England, and came with her parents to the United States, when a miss of fourteen years. The family landed in Virginia, but subsequently came to Adams County, Ohio, where she became of age and married. In 1808, Robert January enlisted under Capt. Kincaid, of Adams County, and Col. Trimble, ex-Governor, becoming a member of Gen. Harrison’s army, and serving about a year, when he was discharged. He re-enlisted and remained in the ranks until peace was declared in 1815. Although he took part in many active engagements, he escaped unhurt. After the war he removed with his family to Highland County, and a few years later to Greene County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, dying in Silver Creek Township, when about three-score years of age. Their family included three sons and seven daughters, our subject being the first-born, and all but two being alive at this writing. Both parents were active members of the Christian Church, and instilled into the hearts of their children upright principles of conduct. In politics, Robert January was a Whig. James January, grandfather of George W. January, was born near Lexington, Ky., and was engaged in the battle of Blue Lick, Ky., against the Indians led by the notorious renegade Simon Girty, and was defeated by the same.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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