Aquilla C McComas

Description

grocer, Waynesville, born in Waynesville Dec. 16, 1839, is a son of Thomas B. and Julia A. (Cummings) McComas, he a native of Maryland, and she of Waynesville. The grandfather, Daniel McComas, was a native of Maryland, and lived and died there; he married Elizabeth Scott, of a prominent family who are at present, as their ancestors were before them, prominent office-holders in Harford Co., Md. Thomas B. was raised in Maryland till sixteen years of age, when in 1827, he with his brother emigrated to Ohio, and located in Xenia, Greene County, where he served several years at the blacksmith trade, with Samuel Harry; thence he located in Waynesville, and worked at his trade as journeyman a short time; then set up in the business on his own capital and account, which business he

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869 carried on through his life with fair success; he died Dec. 27, 1878, aged about sixty-seven years. He was the father of fifteen children, nine now survive—Jasper L., Aquilla C, Julia A., Sarah P., Thomas B., Mary Elizabeth, Eliza, Margretta C. and Ella J. The eldest Jasper L., is now a resident of California; all the others reside in this county. Our subject remained with his father till 25 years of age, brought up to his father's trade. On Sept. 5, 1864, he enlisted in the defense of his country, in the war of the rebellion, in the 180th O. V. I, and served till the close of the war; was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., July 13, 1865, having passed through without a "scratch," and returned to his home and friends; then entered again upon his trade with his father. On Jan. 1, 1866, he formed a partnership with his father which continued several years; then he engaged in a variety of businesses, such as presented itself for his best interest, till April 21, 1876, he opened a blacksmith shop upon his own account, which he has carried on to the present time. In February 1881, Mr. McComas left his shop in charge of his workman, and opened his present store in the grocery trade, in which he is now devoting his time and attention. Mr. McComas was married April 3, 1866, to Kate E., daughter of Benjamin and Annette Fahnestock, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of South Carolina. Mr. Fahnestock was educated in Baltimore, Md., and then became a resident of Xenia, Ohio, and for many years carried on the foundry business in that city; he is now a resident of Newtown, near Cincinnati, living retired from all active business. Mrs. McComas is a teacher of music, in which occupation she has been engaged since her residence in Waynesville, thus helping to build up the musical talent with all its pleasures and elevating influences in Waynesville. (written in 1882 History of Warren County Ohio)