James M. Thorman
James M. Thorman was born May 26, 1844, in Tiffin Township, Adams County, Ohio. His father was Samuel Thoroman and his mother's maiden name was Jane McNeilan. She was born near Omagh, in Ireland. His paternal greatgrandmother was a sister of Col. William Crawford, who was burned by the Indians at Tymochtee on June 11, 1782. His maternal grandfather was an adventurous Orangeman in Ireland. Our subject received a common school education. Afterwards he took a complete mercantile course at Bacon's Mercantile College in Cincinnati. In the Fall of 1864, he began as school teacher and taught one term. He entered Company D, 191st O. V. I., February 12, 1865, and was made a Corporal. He served until August 27, 1865, when he was discharged. After his return from the army he taught school, at intervals, for eighteen years.
In 1885, he was a Township Trustee of Tiffin Township. In 1866, he was elected Treasurer of the Township and served in that capacity continuously for eleven years. He was a clerk and bookkeeper in the banking house of G. B. Grimes & Co., at West Union, from February 28, 1882, to September 20, 1889. He was retained by the assignees of the bank and held the funds until the bank paid sixty per cent, in settlement.
On September 19, 1889, he was nominated by his party for Clerk of the Courts, but the banking house of Grimes & Co., failed the following day and he declined to stand for the office. Since 1868, he has been a member of the Christian Union Church and served as Recording elder and Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years.
He was married to Miss Mary M. McCormick, November 3, 1869. There are two sons of this marriage, William Mc. Thoroman, of West Union, and Floyd E. Thoroman, of Portsmouth, Ohio. The mother of these sons died March 21, 1880. His son, Floyd E. Thoroman, was a member of Company H, Fourth O. V. I., in the Spanish War.
Our subject was married a second time to Miss Mary Eliza Cunningham, November 14, 1883. She died November 14, 1886. On July 17, 1889, he was married to Miss Emma F. Baird. Of this marriage there were three children. Arthur, a son, deceased, and two daughters, May and Olga.
Mr. Thoroman is a man of high character, and of correct life. He possesses the confidence of all who have ever known him and is respected by the entire community.
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