The birth place for John Artis is confusing since different records show Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. There are a number of records that indicate that his birth place was in Pennsylvania:
• 1880 Census for John shows his birth place as Pennsylvania
• 1900 Census for his son Louis shows father's birth place as Pennsylvania
• 1900 Census for his daughter Nellie shows father’s birth place as Pennsylvania
• 1900 Census for his daughter Ella shows father’s birth place as Pennsylvania
• 1910 Census for his daughter Ella shows father’s birth place as Pennsylvania
• 1930 Census for his daughter Ella shows father’s birth place as Pennsylvania

In 1856, John married Margaret Spragg, the daughter of Nehemiah Spragg and Rhoda Green.

Greenup County, Kentucky Marriages, 1852-1914
-Groom: John Artis
-Birthplace: Fayette County, O *
-Age: 20
* NOTE: Birthplace written as "Ky" but overwritten with "O". There is also a Fayette County, PA

-Bride: Margaret Spragg
-Birthplace: Jackson County, Oh
-Age: 18
-Marriage Date: 7 Apr 1856
-Marriage Place: Greenup County, Kentucky

Per the 1860 U.S. Census, John and Margaret Artis resided in Greenup County, Kentucky. Listed are:
-John Artis, age 24, born Kentucky [sic]
-Margaret Artis, age 20, born Ohio
-Susan Artis, age 3
-Nehemiah Artis, age 3/12

Per the 1870 U.S. Census, John and Margaret Artis resided in Precinct 3, Greenup County, Kentucky, Listed are:
-John W Artis, age 31, born West Virginia [sic]
-Margaret Artis, age 31, born Ohio
-Rhoda E Artis, age 13, born Ohio
-Nehemiah Artis, age 10, born Ohio
-Mary A Artis, age 8, born Kentucky
-Charles W Artis, age 5, born Kentucky
-Isadora Artis, age 8/12, born Kentucky

Per the 1880 U.S. Census, John and Margaret Artis resided in Bloom Township, Scioto County, Ohio . Listed are:
-John Artis, age 44, born Pennsylvania
-Margaret Artis, age 40, born Ohio
-Rhoda E. Artis, age 23, born Kentucky
-Mary A. Artis, age 17, born Ohio
-Charles W. Artis, age 14, born Ohio
-Isedora N. Artis, age 10, born Kentucky
-Lewis T. Artis, age 8, born Kentucky
-John W. Artis, age 5, born Ohio
-Ella Artis, age 1, born Ohio
-Nelly Artis, age 1, born Ohio
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Margaret and John Artis are known to have 9 children:
• Rhoda Elizabeth "Susan" Artis Perry Emmitt (1857-1891)
• Nehemiah B. Artis (1860-1898)
• Mary A. Artis (1863-1927)
• Charles Wesley Artis (1865-1922)
• Isadore Artis Riddlebarger (1869- ? )
• Louis Terry Artis (1872-1922)
• John William Artis (1874-1953)
• Ella May Artis Ottney (1879-1956)
• Nellie Belle Artis Ashley (1879-1950)
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U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
-Name: John W Artis
-Age at Enlistment: 29
-Enlistment Date: 11 Feb 1865
-Rank at enlistment: Private
-State Served: Ohio
-Survived the War?: Yes
-Service Record:
--Enlisted in Company I, Ohio 189th Infantry Regiment on 5 Mar 1865
--Promoted to Full Sergeant on 6 Mar 1865
--Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 8 Mar 1865
--Mustered out on 28 Sep 1865 at Nashville, Tenn

Scioto County Ohio County Death Records, 1867-1880, Vol. 1, page 4, line 177
-Name: John W. Artis
-Gender: Male
-Death Date: 13 Feb 1898*
-Age: 62y 3m 13d
-Marital Status: Married
-Place of Death: Sciotoville
-Place of Birth: Unknown
-Occupation: Blacksmith
-Father: Unknown
-Mother: Unknown
-Place of Residence: Sciotoville
-Cause of Death: Paralysis

* NOTE: Death recorded in the 1897 section of the Scioto County Death Records but clearly marked 1898.

Card Records of Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1879-1903
-Name: John W. Artis
-Rank: Sgt
-Unit: Co. I, 189 Regt. Ohio Inf
-Cemetery: Scioto Furnace
-At: Scioto Furnace, Ohio
-Death Date: May 13, 1897 ]sic]