James Madison Willis
Agriculture has always been an honorable vocation. At the present time the agricultural output of the United States is more than equivalent to the total output of all other industries combined. The 1910 census reported the total value of all crops in Fayette county, Ohio, to be three million, one hundred and twenty-nine thousand three hundred and thirteen dollars, an amount which far exceeds that of all the other industries of the county. According to the same census there were one thousand eight hundred and forty-six farms in this county, of which number one thousand and eighty were operated by their owners, seven hundred and forty-two by tenants and twenty-four by managers. That the farming land is rapidly increasing in value is shown In a comparative statement of the value of farm lands in this county in 1900 and 1910. The last census placed the value of land in this county at eighty-four dollars and ninety-three cents an acre, while in 1900, it was only forty-six dollars and eighty-three cents an acre, an increase in value which speaks well for the farmers of this county, In fact, the farmer is the only one who can exist independently of every other vocation, for the farmer holds in his grasp the food and clothing supply of the country. The merchant, the banker, the manufacturer and men in every other industry are dependent absolutely on the farmer's crops. A famine throughout this country would bankrupt the strongest merchant, wreck the largest bank and close the most extensive factory, and land is, as it always has been, the most favorable financial investment. Panics may sweep the manufacturer out of business over night, but the farmer can survive when every other industry fails.
James Madison Willis, one of the largest farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, was born on a farm near Bloomingburg, this county, October 19, 1869. His parents, William R. and Virginia (McDonald) Willis, were natives of this state and were the parents of three children: Elsie, the wife of O. S. Hopkins, of Washington C. H.: James Madison, and a daughter. Pearl, who died in infancy. William R. Willis was reared in Fayette county and was a lifelong farmer and stockman. He inherited a good farm from his father and by good management and strict economy left a good estate and at his death, in 1890, was the owner of eight hundred and fifty acres in Paint township, this county. His widow is still living and is now residing in Washington C. H. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he was prominent in the civic life of his community. He held various township offices and was a member of the school board of his township at one time. William R. Willis was the son of James Madison and Emily (Southward) Willis, both natives of Ohio and pioneers in Fayette county. James Madison Willis was a merchant and farmer in Paint township, and was the parent of several children, Mrs. Laura B. Jones. James Woodbridge and several who died while young. Virginia McDonald, the wife of William R. Willis, was the daughter of Thomas and Rebecca McDonald, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and early settlers in New Holland, Ohio. Thomas McDonald was a wagon-maker and followed this occupation until his death in New Holland at an advanced age. Mr. McDonald and his wife were the parents of three children, Catherine, Robert, and Virginia, the wife of William R. Willis.
James Madison Willis was reared on his father's farm in Paint township and after finishing the course in the public schools graduated from the Bloomingburg high school, after which he entered the University of Michigan, but, on account of his father's death in 1890, was compelled to withdraw after completing two years in the university. He then returned home and assumed charge of his father's large farm and has been engaged in farming ever since. For the past ten years he has lived in Washington C. H., but he still has active charge of the farm and takes pride in calling himself a farmer. In addition to the interests which he has in the old home place of eight hundred and fifty acres, he owns four hundred acres of his own adjoining the home farm, which gives him one of the largest farms in the county, and according to the 1910 census there are only forty-three farms in the county of more than five hundred acres, four of which are over one thousand acres in extent.
Mr. Willis was married June 9, 1892, to Mary C. Keller, the daughter of Daniel T. and Mary Jane (Thistle) Keller, and to this union have been bom two daughters, Gretchen and Doris. Mrs. Willis was born in Romney, Virginia, her parents being natives of the same state and now deceased. Mr. Keller and his wife were the parents of five children. Politically, Mr. Willis is a Republican and has always been active in political matters. He was elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 1900 asrepresentative from the joint disirict of Fayette and Madison counties, and when the state was redistricted he served another term as representative from Fayette county. While in the general Assembly his influence was always cast on the side of good government and his hearty support was given to all measures which he felt would benefit the state in any way. Locally, he has been a member of the school board of Washington C. H. for several years and w as on the board of directors when the present high school building was erected. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Willis is connected with the People's Bank of Bloomingsburg and is a director and vice-president of this financial institution. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the blue lodge, the Royal Arch chapter and the commandery of Knights Templar at Washington C. H. He also holds his membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in his home city. Mrs. Willis is a member of the Presbyterian church, and while he is not an active member of any church yet he lends his influence to all worthy movements which are fostered by the church. As a representative citizen of the county he has been active in every movement looking toward the welfare of his community and in this way has won the high respect and esteem of all who know him.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)