John W. Fristoe
John W. Fristoe was born July 13, 1851, at the old homestead in the great bend of Brush Creek. His father was Richard Fristoe, and his mother, Anna Sample. His grandfather, Richard Fristoe, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Mason County, Kentucky, where he spent his life. His son, Richard Fristoe. was born in Virginia in 1802, and was about five years old when his father moved to Kentucky.
Richard Fristoe, father of our subject, settled in Adams County, in 1832, and resided on the Fristoe place until within four years of his death on the eighth of January, 1881. Before he located in Adams County, he was a tobacco dealer and traveled the road from Maysville to Chillicothe, and on one of these trips, he became acquainted with his wife. He bought the Sample farm, where Sample's Tavern had been kept and went to farming in 1833, and continued that occupation until, on account of age. he retired from all business. The Samples were of German nationality. Our subject was the youngest of five children. He was reared on his father's farm and outside of the District schools, attended school at Lebanon, Ohio. At sixteen years, he began the career of a teacher of District schools and followed it for sixteen years.
On November 8, 1877, he was married to Miss Media Halliday, and there were two children of this marriage, Annabelle and Mack. His wife died November 14, 1880, and in 1891, he married Miss Mertie M. Hooper, who, with three children, survives him.
He was located at Dunkinsville from 1877 to 1886 in the business of selling farm implements, fertilizers, etc. In 1886, he removed to Peebles, where he was a member of the Village Council for two terms. He continued to reside in Peebles until he took the office of Treasurer of Adams County, which he held from September, 1894, to September, 1898, being the nineteenth person who had held that office between 1800 and 1894. After leaving the Treasurer's office in 1898, he continued to reside in West Union until his death, which occurred Saturday, September 10, 1899.
Mr. Fristoe was one of the most popular men of Adams County. As a public officer, he was accommodating, prompt and efficient. In his political views, he was a Democrat and took a prominent part in the councils of his party. He was an Odd Fellow and a Mason. In his last sickness, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in that faith. He was a man universally liked and respected for all those qualities of character which make up true manhood.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900