James M. Deering
James M. Deering was born in the county of Wayne, West Virginia, December 27, 1814. His father, John Deering, senior, was born in 1769 in Stokes county, North Carolina; from there he removed to Cabell county, West Virginia; from there to Greenup county, Kentucky, and then to Lawrence county, Ohio, in 1830, where he died in 1843. At the age of twelve years he served as a teamster in the revolutionary war under General Washington. He was a minister of the Baptist church for forty years. Ruhamah (Davis) Deering, the mother of James, was also born in Stokes county, North Carolina, in 1773; in 1830 she came to this county and died here in 1843. James M. Deering and Lydia Owen were married in this county February 18, 1836. She was born in Pike county, Kentucky, December 2, 1819. Their children are: Mary F. (Staley), born December 18, 1836, resides in Wayne county, Illinois; John L., January 4, 1838, resides in Lawrence county, Ohio; William W., July 5, 1839, resides in this county; Elizabeth A. (Howel), March 16, 1841, resides in this county; Martha A. (Falwell), March 21, 1845, resides in Livingston county, Missouri; James H., December 7, 1847, resides in this county; Richard C., February 25, 1849, resides in this county. The parents of Mrs. Deering are William and Lydia (Ratcliff) Owen. Her father was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, in 1800, and died in 1839. Her mother was born in Pike county, Kentucky, in 1805, and came to this county in 1835, where her death occurred in 1878. Two of Mr. Deering’s sons were in the war of the rebellion; John L. and William W. Both enlisted in 1861 in the 4th Ohio Cavalry for three years. William was taken prisoner at Lexington, Kentucky, and paroled the same day. They were both discharged in 1864. Mr. Deering held the postmastership from 1855 to 1859, was infirmary director for three years and also filled other public offices. His residence is in Perry township and he is engaged in farming. His address is Forest Dale, Lawrence county, Ohio.
Atlas of Lawrence Co., Ohio by Hardesty (1882)