My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ANDREW JACKSON CHRISTOPHER. Among those whose labors are ended, but who, by their worthy lives still claim remembrance, may be properly mentioned Mr. Christopher, an early resident of Jamestown, Greene County, and who departed this life at his home in that city, January 18, 1888. He was one of its best-known citizens, liberal and public-spirited and prominently connected with many enterprises tending to its growth and development. He was born June 4, 1826, in Fayette County, Pa., being one of a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, the offspring of Gideon and Sarah Christopher, who were natives of Pennsylvania.

When Andrew J. was a lad of six years he was taken by his parents to Clinton County, this State, and a few years later to Greene County, where he spent the remainder of his life. When approaching manhood he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade and followed this, more or less as long as he lived, with the exception of ten years during which he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was a man remarkably conscientious in his dealings and was never known to engage in an enterprise which compromised his integrity or his manhood. Sober, frugal and industrious, the guiding rule of his life was to do unto others as he would be done by. These principles, coupled with firmness and decision of character, enabled him to withstand the many temptations which beset mankind and he was held in peculiar confidence and respect by all who knew him. He was from a young man, prominent in his community and was called to various positions of trust and responsibility, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.

When a youth of eighteen years Mr. Christopher made a public profession of religion and identified himself with the Christian Church at Jamestown, of which he ever afterward lived a faithful and consistent member. He was a liberal contributor to the support of the society find rendered substantial assistance in the erection of the church building. A man of deeds rather than of words, he made it the rule of his life to make no promises which he could not fulfill. In 1865 he identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, of whose principles he was a warm admirer and with which he continued to the end of his days.

The last illness of Mr. Christopher, during which he suffered six weeks with typhoid fever, vibrating between life and death, was borne with unexampled patience and resignation. It is true he was surrounded with every comfort which money could buy and which affection could procure and was watched over by his devoted wife and anxious children as well as the many friends who sadly missed him from their cheerful social circles. The best medical treatment, however, was without avail and his emaciated body yielded to the fell destroyer at last, when he was suffered to pass quietly away, finally without pain and as though falling asleep. His age was sixty-one years, seven months and fourteen days.

The marriage of Andrew J. Christopher and Miss Eliza J. Johnson was celebrated at the bride’s home in Silver Creek Township, Greene County, June 6, 1851. Mrs. Christopher was born near Jamestown, December 4, 1831, and was the daughter of John D. and Martha (Johnson) Johnson, who were natives respectively of Campbell County, Va. and Highland County, Ohio. The father was born April 19, 1800, and the mother December 22, 1808. In 1807 the parents of Mr. Johnson leaving Virginia, removed to Highland County, this State, and Mr. Johnson lived with them there until reaching manhood. He then located in Greene County, where he met and married his future wife.

Mrs. Christopher was a child of three years, when, in 1811, her parents removed to Jamestown, where she was reared to womanhood. She was the daughter of James L. and Louisiana (Moorman) Johnson, who were among the earliest settlers of Greene County. They lived to be quite aged, being permitted to witness the development of the wilderness into the abode of a prosperous and intelligent people. They resided first in Silver Creek Township, when later they removed to Jefferson Township and there spent their last days.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson after their marriage settled on a farm east of Jamestown, and for many years labored early and late in the building up of a homestead. After the removal to the village of Jamestown, Mr. Johnson was for twenty-one years a Justice of the Peace. He died in August, 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. He was for many years an active member of the Christian Church and prominent in all good works. The wife and mother is yet living making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Christopher, and although over eighty-two years old, is still bright, active and intelligent. She also belongs to the Christian Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there was born a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Christopher was the eldest. She and her brother, Samuel T., are the only survivors. The latter was the youngest and is now a resident of Paulding County, Ohio, where he occupies himself as a general mechanic. Mrs. Christopher was reared and educated in Greene County and by her union with our subject became the mother of six children, all of whom are living. Cyrus T. married Miss Lucinda Thornburg, and in partnership with his brother, James, is engaged as a grain buyer in Jamestown; Ella is the wife of Frank C. Pease, a railroad engineer and they make their home in Dayton; James above mentioned, married Miss Mary Tilden and they live in Jamestown; Stephen A. Douglas, a railroad man, married Miss Ida Pence, and they make their home in Jamestown; Lilly is the wife of John Hamilton, a railroad agent and they reside in Jamestown; Andrew J. C. Jr., is agent and telegraph operator for the Dayton, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company; he married Miss Sally Wymer and they live in Jamestown. Mrs. Christopher is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church and greatly respected by all who know her.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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