CAPTAIN JOHN GREER. Captain John Greer, one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, whose military service was matched by his loyalty to duty in times of peace, died upon his farm in Crawford township in 1902, his death marking the passing of one of the most honored and highly respected citizens of this community. He was a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in Columbiana county, July 10, 1828. His parents were Thomas and Catherine (Rhodes) Greer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. The Greer family originally came from Ireland but has been in America for several generations. John Greer was one of a family of nine children. He spent his childhood upon his father's farm, acquiring his education in the public schools, and he remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he joined the rush of California gold seekers and spent three years in the mines of that state. He was fairly successful in his prospecting and returned to Ohio with a considerable competence. He pur chased two hundred and forty acres of timber land in Wyan dot county but did not develop this property, leaving the trees standing for many years. He purchased in addition a smaller tract in Crawford township, upon which he made his home and carried on general farming and stock-raising. At the out break of the Civil war he offered his services to the Federal government, enlisting August 14, 1861, in Company D, Forty- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving with loyalty until he received his honorable discharge on the 22d of November, 1864. He took part in all of the important battles of the war and was at the front at Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Corinth, Lawrenceburg, Stone River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. He also participated in the engagements at Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Picketts Mills, Kenesaw Mountain and many others. Upon the organization of Company D, of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Mr. Greer was made second lieutenant and in recognition of his distinguished bravery at Shiloh was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. In January, 1863, he became captain of Company C, Forty-ninth Ohio Volun teers, and served in that capacity until the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in which engagement he received a severe wound in the left leg, from which he never fully recovered. After spending several months in the hospital at Chattanooga he was discharged for disability and sent home. The younger generation cannot understand what were the hardships expe rienced by the veterans of the Civil war — such men as Captain Greer, who sacrificed the best strength and energies of their lives for their country's cause. Their sufferings extended not only through the time of their service on the southern battle fields but through the years that have followed, and the coun try owes to them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. When Captain Greer had to some extent regained his strength he resumed farming and continued in this line of occupation until his death. He carried on general agricul tural pursuits and was likewise extensively interested in stock-raising, his animals commanding a ready sale upon the market. His prosperity steadily increased, for his methods were always upright, honorable and progressive and he soon attained a high position among the substantial and representa tive men of his community. Captain Greer was twice married. In 1857 he wedded Miss Mary Ann Crooks, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Arnold) Crooks. She died in August, 1883, leaving seven children, Thomas W., Kittie, Andrew. C, Asa B., Harry A., Guy E. and Rutherford Hayes. On the 5th of February, 1885, Cap tain Greer married Miss Etta V. Luzader, of Seneca county, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Dibble) Luzader. His widow still survives him and is operating the farm success fully, being a very capable business woman possessed of great executive ability. Captain Greer was a stanch republican and at all times interested in the welfare and progress of the community, giving his support to many measures for the public good. He served as trustee of Crawford township for twenty years and held other responsible offices, proving himself an able, conscientious and upright public servant. In his business dealings he was ever straightforward and honorable, enjoying the full confidence of those with whom he was associated, and his death, which occurred in 1902, was the occasion of widespread sorrow and regret. It closed the life of a man loyal in citizen ship, straightforward in business and faithful to all of the ties and obligations of life and with the added qualification of long and worthy service in his country's defense.