James Riley Vannorsdall
One of the most extensive farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, is James Riley Vannorsdall, who was born more than eighty-three years ago in the township where he is now living. In fact, his whole career has been spent in the same locality and this long residence has endeared him to everyone in the township. As a farmer he has met with remarkable success; as a publicspirited citizen he has done his full duty; as a neighbor he has fully measured up to the highest standard. Such men lend stability to the community in which they live, and it is a pleasure to record the life of this sterling pioneer in the biographical annals of his county.
James R. Vannorsdall, the son of Garrett and Rosannah (Gray) Vannorsdall, was born in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, September 10, 1831. His father was the son of Abraham and Abigail (Johnson) Vannorsdall, natives and life-long residents of Virginia. Garrett Vannorsdall came from Berkeley county, Virginia, when a young man and located in Fayette county in Jefferson township. He and his wife were the parents of two children, James R. and Mrs. Sarah A. Gossard.
Mr. Vannorsdall received a very limited education, owing to the meager school facilities of his day. However, he was very much interested in education and by diligent study at home, qualified himself as a public school teacher. He taught school for a few years in his younger days and after his marriage at the age of twenty-two began to farm. He started out by renting eighty acres and later bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, and with this small farm began a career which has seldom been equalled in Fayette county. Year after year found him more prosperous and able to add to his holdings, until at the present time he is the owner of sixteen hundred acres of fine farming land in Fayette and Greene counties. Two hundred and ten acres of his land is in Paint township, fifty acres in Greene county, and the rest in Jefferson township. It is needless to say that he has been progressive and enterprising in all of his business transactions, for his extensive land holdings are a sufficient proof that he has been very successful.
Mr. Vannorsdall was married September 4, 1853, to Susannah Horney, the daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (Griffith) Horney, and to this union twelve children have been born.
The family are all members of the Methodist Protestant church and have always been generous contributors to its maintenance. Mr. Vannorsdall is a heavy stockholder and a director in the Farmers Bank. Several years ago he was president of this bank, but on account of advancing age, retired from the active management of its affairs.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)
James Vannorsdoll, farmer, Jeffersonville, was born in this township, September 10, 1831, and has resided here all his life.
September 4, 1853, he was married to Miss Susanna Horney, daughter of Jefferson and Margaret Horney. Twelve children are the result of this union: Clarelda J., Lucy A., Garrett O., Frank C, Mary M., James H., Forest A., Lillie B., Effie F., Ernest E., Herbert, and one who died in infancy. Mary M. died at the early age of fourteen. Mr. and Mrs. Vannorsdoll are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of Pleasant View.
He has a farm of three hundred and twenty-nine acres, well improved, situated four miles west of Jeffersonville, on the state road, and ninety-eight acres two miles west of town; also, one-half interest in the home farm of one hundred and forty acres, situated one mile southeast of Jeffersonville.
He has served several consecutive years as trustee of this township. He has been successful in his business, and is well and favorably known throughout the township. When a young man he taught four terms of school.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County