"The Highland Weekly News" Hillsboro, Ohio
July 21, 1881, Image 3
Death of Mr. John Mains, Aged Almost 100 Years
Greenfield, Ohio, July 17, 1881
As foreshadowed by his extreme age and his feeble condition for some time past, Mr. John Mains has passed away.
His death occurred on Wednesday evening, July 13th at 8 1/2 o'clock, at the residence of John Blazer, on West Main Street,
in the 98th year of his age. His death was not the result of disease, but of old age. He suffered no pain whatever, but died
peacefully, as if falling into a calm sleep. The funeral services took place last Friday morning at 10 o'clock from the residence of Mr. Blazer.
Mr. Mains was truly a good man in every sense of the word, esteemed and beloved by his family and the community at large.
He was born in Maryland, near Fredricktown, in the year 1784, and grew to manhood in Berkley county, Virginia. He was married
to Miss Annie Smith in Fairfield county, Ohio, in the year 1806, and they lived happily together nearly seventy-four years. His
wife died January 27th, 1880, at the age of ninety-one.
In the year 1845, they came to this place from Perry county, Ohio, and have resided here ever since. Two sons, Samuel and
William were the fruit of their married life. Both are still living here. Samuel, the oldest, is in his 70th year. Politically grandfather Mains was a Whig in his earlier years and afterwards joined the Republican party and has voted for all the
presidents from that time to James A. Garfield, the present incumbent.
Mr. Mains enjoyed good health all his life until the last few years. His eyesight was good for a man of 98 years and his
memory as acute as in his younger days. He and his wife united with the M. E. church in the year 1811 in Fairfield county, Ohio,
and have lived worthy and exemplary Christian lives since. His house in early days was a home for the weary itinerant ministers
of the Gospel. For many years Bishops Asbury, McKendree, Roberts, George and Hedding were all welcome and frequent guests
at his house.
Mr. Mains will be sadly missed by his family, his friends and the church. His family lose a king, devoted father, the church a humble follower of the Master, and the community a liberal, public-spirited man.
Mr. Mains was probably the oldest man in the county at the time of his death.

Furnished by Marianna Kerns Morgan 5/10/2016