Charles T. Lynch
The well known gentleman to a review of whose life the following lines are devoted is a native of the old Buckeye state and of this county, having been born on August 25, 1858, in Perry township, the son of E. J. and Hester (Cockerill) Lynch. E. J. Lynch was a native of Virginia, born at the family home on the Roanoke river, and throughout his life w.as a farmer. He was a son of Kentchen and Mary (Edmonds) Lynch, the former of whom also was a native of Virginia and was a son of William Lynch. The family first came to this state in 1843, Kentchen (the subject's grandfather) emigrating westward with his family in search of better opportunities than their native state offered. At that time E. J. was a young man of eighteen years, having been born on December 25, 1825. The family first settled on the Trimble prairie, near Sabina, and lived there for many years. Kentchen Lynch was the father of the following children, namely: Edward J., father of the subject; George H., Margaret, Elizabeth, Hezekiah and Mary C, all deceased, while Lily, the wife of R. Brake, resides in California and Martha is deceased. E. J. Lynch had no school advantages when young and learned reading and spelling at home. However, when twenty-six years of age an opportunity came for him to obtain a better education, and so eager was he to do so that in spite of his age he faithfully took up the studies which should have heen his when a youth, and he became a fairly well educated man. When a young man, together with several friends he journeyed into the West in search of a better location than Ohio afforded. but not being impressed with anything they saw they gladly returned to this state and for eleven years the subject's father worked on various farms, hiring out by the month. At the time of his marriage he settled down on a farm which he rented and in this way began business for himself. He was shrewd and energetic and was considered a successful man. At the time of his death he owned a farm and had reared his family of six children. Charles, the subject, was the oldest of the family; William lives at Washington C. H. ; Eleanore resides in Washington C. H. ; Ella lives in Springfield. Ohio; Edward M., the youngest of the family, is deceased; James C. is teaching school and lives at Bloomingburg.
When a boy Charles Lynch attended the schools of Perry township near his home, later taking the higher grades at Washington C. H. He early learned the meaning of "hard work" and passed a busy voung manhood, remaining with the father until attaining his majority. For four years he was engaged in teaching school in Perry township and moved to Bloomingburg in 1886, since which time he has been regarded as one of the more prominent citizens of this locality. He at first was connected with the drayage business and served the town as mayor. In 1894 he turned to the vocation of farming, and now resides on his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on the Midway pike, about three miles north of Bloomingburg. Mr. Lynch occupies a prominent place in the esteem of the people of the community and is universally respected for liis manly character. He lives to a good and useful purpose and the position he occupies in the community has been honestly and well merited. As a business man his methods have always been correct and fair dealing has characterized all of his transactions with his fellow men. Personally, he possesses those qualities calculated to inspire confidence in others and consequently is liked by all classes and conditions of people. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never had the time nor inclination to take a very active part in political work. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving both as trustee and steward of the local society, and being intensely interested in every department of church work. His fraternal affiliations are with the ancient body of Free and Accepted Masons and the Eastern Star. Mr. Lynch is also one of the most active Grangers of this locality, doing all within his power to further the good work of the local organization. Mr. Lynch was, on February 7, 1894, united in marriage with Emma Hays, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Parker) Hays, who bore him four children, and departed this life on April 16, 1908. Mrs. Lynch was an earnest and devoted woman, winning to herself many friends by her sterling qualities of heart and mind. She is buried at Bloomingburg cemetery. Charles E.. the oldest child of the family, is engaged in farming and remains in the home, as do also Ray Parker, Candace and Walter M., all of whom are still in school. Mr. Lynch surrounds his family with many of the comforts and conveniences of life, carefully directing his children in ways of usefulness and happiness. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the community and as such is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)