James H. McClimans
James H. McClimans, who is practically living a retired life in Mt. Sterling, has the honor of being a native of Madison County. He was born in Range Township, October 10, 1854, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families. His father, Isaac McClimans, was born in the Scioto Valley, in 1805, and in 1812, when a lad of seven years, came to Range Township with his father. He was twice married, and had eight children. His second wife, wlio bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Claridge, and was a native of Fayette County, was the mother of our subject. Mr. McClimans became an extensive land-owner, his possessions aggregating seven hundred acres, and was one of the well-to-do farmers of the township. His death occurred in June, 1880, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Range Township and received a good education in the common schools of the neighborhood. When a boy, he began buying calves, which he would raise upon his father's farm and then sell. In this way, he got a start in life. Subsequently, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and was engaged in farming in Range Township one year, and for two years in Pickaway County, on land belonging to his wife. In 1884, he purchased his present home and twenty acres of land on the London Road, which he laid out in town lots and named McClimansville. He has now sold over half of the lots and a number of them have been built upon. As his financial resources have increased, Mr. McClimans also bought more land, until the income derived from his farm is now sufficient to enable him to live retired without performing any manual labor for his support.
On the 26th of November, 1880, Thanksgiving Day, our subject was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Bennett, of Mt. Sterling, who was born in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, February 26, 1861. Her girlhood days were there passed and she came to Mt. Sterling with her father after her mother's death. Unto them have been born two children: Nellie, born in Range Township, Madison County, October 21, 1881, and Vona, born in McClimansville, June 3, 1884.
Mr. McClimans supports the Democratic party by his ballot, his first vote having been cast for Samuel J. Tilden. He is an enterprising and sagacious business man, who by industry and good management has acquired a sufficient captal to enable him to spend his remaining days in retirement from labor.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]