John Pancake
John Pancake,
who is known throughout Madison County as a man of more than ordinary business enterprise and exceptional sagacity in money matters, has accumulated wealth by farming and stock-dealing on a large scale, and, still in the prime of life, is actively engaged in business, but now resides in his beautiful home that he has made for himself and his family on North Main Street, London. Mr. Pancake was born in Stokes Township, this county, November 15, 1851, and is a son of Cephas and Nancy (Cooper) Pancake, who were also natives of this county, and spent their entire lives here. The father was born February 21, 1819, and died October 12, 1874; and the mother was born September 23, 1824, and died July 29, 1855. Both the Pancakes and the Coopers were early pioneer families of this State. Joseph Pancake, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who was a Virginian by birth, came here at an early day, and at first located in Ross County, but not long thereafter, he removed to Madison County and cast in his lot with the frontiersmen who had preceded him, and in later years died on the farm that he had redeemed from the virgin forest. He was born December 18, 1879, and died September 15, 1853. He had six children: Isaac, Jesse and William, who were half brothers to James, Toland and Jane (Mrs. Johnson). He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was active in its upbuilding in this county.
The father of our subject was reared as a farmer and stock dealer in Range Township. He became very prosperous, and was one of the most prominent farmers of that township. He bought and sold stock extensively, and was known far and near as an exceedingly shrewd financier. In politics, he favored the Democratic party, and had clear and sensible views on all topics of general interest. He was the father of six children by his marriage with the mother of our subject, of whom our subject is the only survivor. The others were, Margaret, William, Mary J., Thompson and David S. By his union with Miss C.V. Mahoy five other children were born: Joseph, Edwin B., Emma I., Aquilla and Cephas P., of whome Emma and Aquilla are dead. The subject of this biography was educated in the London schools. At the age of twenty years, he left home and took a trip Westward to prospect for any opening by which he might make a good start in life. He was unable to find anything suitable, and returning home, he remained there until 1875, when he was married on the 9th of December to Miss A. L., daughter of Robert and Ann (Thomas) Rea, of London. Her father is one of the wealthiest men of the county, and is living retired in London.
After his marriage, Mr. Pancake engaged in farming on the old Rea homestead in Oak Run township, where he remained until 1887. But prior to that he had purchased one hundred and fifty acres of the five hundred and forty acres of said farm, and the remainder of it his father-in-law gave to Mrs. Pancake. Besides this valuable property, Mr. Pancake has a good farm of ninety acres in the same township. He has three tenants on his farms, and from their rental derives a good income. He has always been a large cattle dealer, and has raised a great deal of stock, hiring some six hundred acres of land, besides employing his own for that purpose. He is still interested in dealing in stock and doing a general farming business.
When he left the farm, in 1887, Mr. Pancake came to London and erected one of the best residences within its precincts. It is of a handsome and tasteful style of architecture, is supplied with all the modern conveniences and improvements, is elegant in its appointments, and its attractiveness is enhanced many fold by the unostentatious and gracious hospitality offered to all who cross its threshold by the amiable hostess and courteous, geneal host. Our subject and his wife stand high in social circles, their many fine qualities of head and heart attracting to them many warm friends, and the Episcopal Church finds in them two of its most devoted members, who contribute generously of their means to forward its every good work. Mr. Pancake is an uncompromising Democrat, and is well informed in politics, both local and national. He has held the offices of Treasurer and Trustee of Oak Run Township, and is classed among the men who take a genuine interest in all that concerns their community, and are an honor to the citizenship of their native county.
From PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - [Chapman Bros., 1892]
John Pancake, farmer, P. O. London. This well-known citizen of Oak Run Township was born in Paint Township, this county, November 15, 1851. He is the son of Cephas and Nancy (Cooper) Pancake. He was married, December 9, 1875, to Ann L. Rea, daughter of Robert Rea. He is a live, energetic farmer, and has, by his gentlemanly demeanor, acquired quite a prominence in the section in which he lives.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]