JOHN WESLEY HYPES.
There are certain characters that mellow and sweeten under the chastening hand of affliction as certain 2 rare and luscious fruits only attain their perfection when touched by frost. So it has been with the man whose name appears above, and of whom it is our pleasant privilege to give a short biographical sketch. Shut out from the world of sound and with the visual sense dimmed, there have been discovered in his inner life resources and riches unknown before he was thus isolated from the clang and clatter of the ordinary routine of life. John Wesley Hypes was born May 12, 1810, in Botetourt County, Va., and is a son of Henry and Patience (Reynolds) Hypes, also natives of Virginia. Our subject's ancestry on the paternal side is traced to Germany, while on the mother's side English blood flows in his veins. Mr. Hypes' parents were married in Virginia, and there followed farming until 1811, when the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, remaining one year, and in 1812 settled on a farm near the town of Xenia. That was the family home as long as the father and mother lived, the former passing away in his eightieth year, and the mother dying when fifty-one. Our subject was one of a family of eight children, who are named as follows: Nancy, Joseph, Washington, Sarah, Benjamin, Davison, John W. and Francis Asbury. They are sketched as follows: The eldest sister, who married Nathan IIorner, is deceased; Joseph died in Lebanon, and left two children; Washington joined the United States Navy in 1835, and has never been heard. from; Sarah died at the age of seven months and fourteen days; Davison departed this life in 1823: Benjamin is a venerable and esteemed resident in
the county. At that time the original inhabitants in the State were nore numerous than white men. John T. Lemen was married to Patience E. Wilderman, the daughter of George Wilderman, who was one of the settlers of the county and who came here in 1806. Ile had three children, two of whom grew to manhood, R. W. and George C. The former is still living in Freeburg Township. George C. Lemen, the father of our subject, was married to Maria Griffin and had but one child. Ile died from injuries received by a fall from a horse. The birth of our subject took place on the 13th of January, 1858, on the place where he now resides. He was reared here and was one of the pupils at the district school—one of those who could liave sat for the portrait of the “llarefoot loy,” immortalized by the late lamented poet Whittier. After he had reached a proper age, he went to Shurtleff College, where he finished his education. After Mr. Lemen returned home he became interested in farming, and on September 6, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Agnew, who was the daughter of A. F. Agnew, who was a farmer in Monroe County, near Columbia. Iler mother died when she was small and she made her home with Mrs. Isaac Shook, now Mrs. William Winkleman, of l'elleville. After marriage, our subject brought his wife to this place, and here they made a pleasant home. ..Mr. Lemen has a farm of two hundred acres of land all well improved and he raises much fine stock. His principal crop is wheat, although he grows other grains. He has full-blooded Jersey cows and takes an interest in fine stock. Two lovely children fill the home of our subject with happiness. Grace is eight years old and Willie is four years old. In his political opinions Mr. Lemen is a Republican, and believes in the wisdom of the party's methods looking toward a protective tariff, and casts his vote and influence with that party. Mr. Lemen made himself felt in the affairs of the Grange, being a member of importance in that association at Turkey Hill. This organization holds some of the best men of the State and all of the Lebanon Township; Francis A. died in 1847.
Mr. Hypes removed to Lebanon in 1836, and was first engaged in business as a saddle-maker and later enlarged his interests and added to it harness-making. He was thus employed until 1876. at which time he retired from the active conduct of the business. November 15, 1849, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Murray, a daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Horner) Murray, both of whom were natives of Baltimore, Md. Mr. and Mrs. Hypes have been faithful and congenial companions for nearly half a century, and now reside together in their pleasant home. They have been the parents of two children: IIenry Murray, who died in infancy; and Eliza Maria, who married J. C. Keet, and lives in Springficli, Mo. She is the mother of four children: Florence Elizabeth, Bertrain, Ilarry and Belle.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hypes has been claracterized by modesty, and although he has by no means been indifferent to the political phases through which his country has passed, he has dcsired to be only a looker-on farther than in casting his ballot. Originally a Whig, on the formation of the Republican party he joined its following. In church relations, both Mr. and Mrs. Hypes have for many years worshipped with the Methodists.
