Abel H. Janes
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal army during the great war between the states in the sixties. An old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. It is an inspiring sight to see the old soldiers in their sacred uniform march with faltering steps on Memorial day to decorate the graves of their departed comrades. As they march to that silent city of the dead they are well aware that the time will soon come when some one will decorate their graves and when the last of the boys in blue will have passed away as they must within the next few years, friends will pay them suitable eulogy for the sacrifices they made during that long and terrible struggle. Ever afterwards will their descendants revere their memory and take pride in recounting their services for their country in its hour of peril. One of the gallant old veterans of Fayette county, Ohio, who has answered the last roll call is Abel H. Janes, whose name is now enrolled in the Army Triumphant in that better land.
The late Abel H. Janes was horn February 11, 1839, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, and died in Jasper township on August 17, 1910. He was the son of William P. and Mary (Mock) Janes, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Ross county. Ohio. EIeven children were born to William P. Janes and wife: Oliver, Clarissa, Johanna, Marjorie, Abel, Levi, Catherine, Ellen, John, Rosetta, Oliva and Douglas. All of these children, except Rosetta and Mary Catherine, have passed to their reward, after living lives of usefulness and honor.
Abel H. Janes was educated in the schools of Jefferson township and was working on his father's farm when the Civil war broke out. He first enlisted in 1862 in the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a member of Company C. He served two years as a member of this regiment and was then taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and cast into a Southern prison, but was eventually exchanged and honorably mustered out of the service. However, he wished to serve his country, and accordingly re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was the second time captured bt the Confederates at Cynthiana and was then paroled and came home, being for the second time mustered out of the service. Immediately after the close of the war, he returned to this county and worked out by the month for a time. He was married in 1867 and he and his wife worked hard in order to save money to pay for the farm which they bought, but their efforts were rewarded very substantially and they gradually added to their land holdings until they owned a fine farm of two hundred and eight acres in Jefferson and Jasper townships.
Mr. Janes was married February 7, 1867, to Almeda Hays, the daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint township, and to this union five children were born: William M., Cass G., Jennie P.. Chester H., and Scott P. William M. married Margaret McMonagil and has three ciiildren, Carmel, Clarence and Luther; Cass G. married Alice White and has three children, Florence, John L. and Leonard C.: Jennie P. is the wife of Clyde Allen; Chester H. married Mary Allen and has four children, Lucile, Carl, Helen and Janice; Scott P. is deceased and is buried in the Fairview cemetery.
Mr. Janes was a stalwart Republican all his life and was always deeply interested in the success of his party, although never a candidate for public office. Fraternally. he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife were both members of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, belonging to the lodge at Milledgeville. this county. Mr. Janes was a man of force of character and enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the community where he spent his whole life. He was essentially a self-made man, knew no such thing as idleness, and was ever ready to assist his friends and neighbors who were not so fortunate as himself.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)
Abel H. Janes, farmer, is a son of William and Mary Janes, and was born February 11, 1839. He was married, February 7, 1867, to Miss Almeda Hays, daughter of Morgan Hays, of Paint Township, this county. Three children, William M., Cass G., and Jennie P., are the result of this union.
Mr. Janes has a farm of two hundred acres, well improved, one mile south of West Lancaster, on the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad. He enlisted in Company H, 60th O. V. I., August 9, 1862, and served until the entire company was captured at Harper's Ferry, from which place they went to Chicago, where they were mustered out. He was first sergeant of Company D, 168th O. N. G., from May, 1863, until September 10, 1864, when an honorable discharge was duly granted. He is a stalwart Republican, and a highly respected citizen.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County