John M. Blue
John M. Blue was born in Union County, Ohio, near Marysville, June 19, 1840. At five years of age he was taken to Delaware County, where his parents moved, and settled for some time. Eleven years later he was back at the old Union County home, where he attended school about a hear, and then began working on a farm for twelve dollars per month. Sixteen months later he received twenty dollars a month, and at the expiration of two years began splitting rails, which he followed about two years, and again resumed farming for a period of three years, this time working wtih his uncle. He then spent a few months at home, and resumed his old occupation as rail-splitter. He was a member of the 135th Ohio Regiment, Col. Legg, and was stationed at Harper's Ferry and Camp Kearney, and was mustered out of service at Camp Chase. He afterwards took jobs of getting out railroad ties, bought timber, and contracted in lumber. He married Miss Elizabeth M. Valentine February 11, 1867. He moved to Quincy, where he remained about four years, and labored to pay off some old debts. He continued in the lumber and timber business until he acquired a little capital. In 1876 he moved to Sidney, and went into the lumber and stave business. In 1877 he met severe reverses. Again the next year he suffered a loss of $2750, but kept right along in his business. In 1881 he cut seven hundred cords of wood, and handled over three million feet of lumber, at a net profit of $6100. In 1882 he handled eighteen hundred cords of wood, and over two million feet of lumber. His children are William L., Charles C., Harry S., and Alta May.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883