My Genealogy Hound

JOHN CASH FOLGER, agent of the Adams Express Company at Xenia, has been the incumbent of his present position since January 1, 1884 — a record which indicates the manner in which he has fulfilled his duties in connection therewith, and he has been connected with this company for more than twenty years. This long experience has given him a good insight into a business whose transactions extend from Maine to California, and has been a liberal school, acquainting him with not only the intricacies of the express service, but giving him the opportunity to learn much in connection with almost numberless other enterprises.

A native of the Buckeye State, Mr. Folger was born in the city of Cincinnati June 13, 1838. His parents were Thomas Barnard and Catherine (Risk) Folger. Thomas B. Folger was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 31, 1815, and went with his parents to the vicinity of Fairmount, near Cincinnati during the early settlement of that region and where he established a homestead in which his son, John C., still maintains an interest. When reaching man’s estate Thomas Folger became interested in dairying, and prosecuted this successfully for many years and up to the time of his death, which occurred March 4, 1855, in the city of his birth where he became a prominent and honored resident. In connection with dairying the elder Folger likewise prosecuted farming. Me was chiefly interested, however, in the dairy business and became one of the most extensive milk dealers in the Queen City. The old stable which he used for so many years, together with the farm, is still utilized for the same purpose. Politically, Thomas Folger was a stanch Whig, and totally opposed to the institution of slavery. He married Miss Catherine, daughter of Thomas Risk, also a pioneer settler who had emigrated hither from New Jersey. The mother passed away prior to the decease of her husband. She was a member of the Christian Church. Thomas Risk was the original owner of the farm upon which our subject was born and which was also the birthplace of his mother.

The Folger family was of Quaker antecedents, and the later representatives belonged to the peaceable Society of Friends. Grandfather Elihu Folger was born October 10, 1763, and learned the trade of a cooper. After going to Cincinnati he purchased a farm of Nicholas Longworth who was a warm friend of his. He married a lady whose first name was Elizabeth, and died May 7, 1837, aged seventy-three years, seven months and five days. He emigrated with his wife from Nantucket, Mass., to Cincinnati, Ohio, landing there November 7, 1812.

The subject of this notice spent his boyhood and youth around the parental homestead, attending the city schools and assisting his father on the farm and at dairying. In 1859, he was in the employ of the Louisiana & Tehauntapec California Route Company, on the Isthmus of Tehauntapec, Mexico. During 1862, he was the employe of the Government at Cincinnati, and in January 1863, entered the service of the old Harnden Express Company, which, in October, 1869, was consolidated with the Adams Express Company, making its headquarters at Cincinnati, and Mr. Folger was appointed the agent at Marietta, Ohio. He remained there until the withdrawal of the agency from that town and was then stationed at Columbus until being assigned to the office in Xenia. He has given very little attention to politics, with the exception of upholding by his vote the principles of the Republican party. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of the first to enter the ranks of the Union Army, enlisting in 1861, in Company E, Fifth Ohio Infantry, which remained at Camp Denison until reorganization for the later service.

Mr. Folger was married December 25, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth A. Newland. This lady was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and of this union there are two children — a son and daughter; the former, Will B. is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Miss Aura is at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Folger, although leaning toward the doctrines of the Congregational Church which has no society in Xenia, have identified themselves with the Presbyterian Church. The reputation which Mr. Folger bears both in business and social circles indicates that he is held in the highest esteem by the entire community.