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Note: The inscription on the grave marker reads: John Lemmax Dec 20 1820 - Oct 30 1906 His Wife Margaret R. Franklin Nov 28 1826 - Aug 23, 1907 The 1850 federal census for Monroe Co., Ohio shows the value of his real estate owned as $1,600. The 1860 federal census for Noble Co., Ohio shows the value of his real estate owned as $600, and the value of his personal estate as $400. The 1870 federal census for Noble Co., Ohio shows the value of his real estate owned as $3,700 and the value of his personal estate as $8,403. The 1880 federal census for Noble Co., Ohio shows that his parents were born in Ireland. It also shows his nephew, Homer J. Lemmax, age 18, works on farm, born in Ohio, father born in Ohio, mother born in West Virginia. The 1900 federal census for Noble Co., Ohio shows that his parents were born in Ireland. Mr. Lemmax was married in 1846 to Margaret, daughter of Alexander Franklin, one of the early settlers of Marion Township. they have reared for children -- Mary Rose, now the wife of Charles Craig, of Marion Township; Violet J., Lillie W. and John A., single and residing at home. The family are all member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Lemmax is a firm, uncompromising Republican, and for many years has taken a deep and intelligent interest in both local and national political affairs. Early in life he became an adherent of the Whig party. In September, 1840, he attended a Democratic mass meeting at Carlisle, addressed by leading Democratic politicians of Monroe County. After they had finished, John McMahon took the platform on the Whig side, and made a telling speech. Hon. Joseph Morris, representative in Congress, who was one of the speakers present, went home with Mr. Lemmax and spent the night at his father's house. In conversation with him, the question was asked, What would take the place of bank-notes." On being asked what they were, he admitted that he did not know. "Well, it is not good policy to destroy the bank-notes unless you have something better to take their place." Mr. Morris said: "John, I am afraid you won't make a good Democrat. To be one, you must stick to the party, right or wrong." And John did not become a Democrat. He voted first for Henry Clay, and acted with the Whig and Free-soil parties until the campaign of John C. Fremont, since which time he has been a Republican. Mr. Lemmax has been several times a delegate to State conventions. He was a delegate to the National Convention of 1876. He was the first delegate to propose Hayes' nomination, and, in a conference of the Ohio delegation, secured the passage of a resolution pledging a solid vote for him, and that no delegate should vote otherwise without first conferring with the remainder of the delegation. Mr. Lemmax held the office of county commissioner one term and declined a renomination. He was a candidate for representative to the legislature in 1884, but was defeated by a small majority, owing to the hostility of the Greenback element, who at this time were energetically preaching the doctrine of "fiat money," claiming it as the "poor man's money." Mr. Lemmax vigorously opposed this craze and took a decided stand for resumption and a stable currency. He took a prominent part in securing the extension of the B. Z. & C. Railroad, from Woodsfield to Zanesville, subscribing liberally to further the scheme, giving it much of his time and attention for over a year, besides furnishing a building for a depot at his own expense. The road runs through his land for a mile and a half. After the completion of the road, on the resignation of one of the directors, he was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy and has since been thrice chosen to fill the same position. In the spring of 1883, with twelve others who paid a like sum, he advanced $2,000 to secure the opening of the road and running of trains. He has had contracts for furnishing the road with over four hundred thousand feet of trestle timber, besides a large quantity of cross-ties. Mr. Lemmax has been a stockholder and director of the Noble County National Bank at Caldwell since its organization. He has held the office of postmaster, at Freedom (Whigville Post Office), for twenty eight years, without any complaints from patrons or the Department. Source: History of Noble County, Ohio, with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men, p. 415, 416
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