Vail - James A. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

One of the best remembered and most highly respected citizens of Montgomery county in a past generation, who, after a successful and honorable career, have taken up their journey to that mystic clime, Shakespeare's "undiscovered bourne, from whence no traveler e'er returns." leaving behind him a heritage of which his descendants may well be proud - an untarnished name - was James A. Vail who grew up in this locality when the early settlers, of whom his father, was one, were redeeming the rich soil from the primordial state, and here he played well his role in the drama of civilization. He was a man of industry and public spirit, willing at all times to do his full share in the work of development, never neglecting his larger duties to humanity, being obliging and neighborly, kind and genial, which made him popular with all classes and won the respect and good will of those with whom he came into contact. Thus for many reasons we are glad to give his personal biography a place in the history of his locality. Mr. Vail was born on November 22, 1847, at Oak Hill, Indiana. He was a son of James and Martha A. (Clevenger) Vail. The father was one of the early settlers of Montgomery county and he became well established here through his industry. He located near what is now Oak Hill when this locality was very sparsely settled. James A. Vail grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and when a young man he took up general farming for a livelihood which he followed all his life with much success, on a large scale, owning a finely improved farm, and he paid particular attention to stock raising, preparing large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market. He had a commodious home and was one of the substantial men of his neighborhood. Mr. Vail was married on October 31, 1872, to Amanda L. Blue, daughter of John M. and Mary Ann (Smith) Blue, a highly respected and well known couple. A complete sketch of the Blue family is to be found on another page of this work under the caption of James Blue. The following children were born to John M. Blue and wife; Amanda I., wife of our subject; Martin is deceased; Anna married Frank Royer; and James. Five children were born to James A. Vail and wife, namely: Martha A. who married Matt Barton, lives in Madison township; Elizabeth married Samuel Murdock, of Union township; Bessie Katherine married Charley Blacketer and they live in Madison township. Politically, Mr. Vail was a Republican, but was never especially active in public affairs. He belonged to the New Light Christian church and was faithful in his support of the same. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both at Linden. The death of James A. Vail occurred on April 16, 1912. - transcribed by kbz