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SIMON LOFTUS, a substantial farmer and well known resident of Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, resides on his farm of eighty-eight acres and owns a second farm of 160 acres, both valuable properties. Mr. Loftus was born in County Clare, Ireland, about seventy-five years ago, the exact date of his mativity being uncertain, as the parish records were deatroyed when the church of his native village in COunty Clare was burned down. His parents were James and Catherine (Garvy) Loftus. The father of Mr. Loftus died in Ireland, leaving the following children: Mary, who married Michael Clairy; Johanna, who was the wife of Michael Roach; Margaret, who married Michael Scanlon; Bridget, who married William Brew; James, and Simon. In 1847 Simon Loftus, then being about fifteen years of age, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America with the determination to acquire independence if hard work and faithful performance of every duty would accomplish it. His first work in the United States was found in Vermont, where he started as driver of a team. After that he worked on a gravel train on a railroad. Although he was little more than a boy at this time, he had a man's idea of responsibility, and with his savings was soon able to send for his mother and brother in the old country. They subsequently joined him and for years he contributed to their support. The mother died at Steubenville. Mr. Loftus continued to work on the railroad and earned the money in that way to pay for his first farm and later for a second farm, and this land he still owns, it being a substantial evidence of his industry and prudence. He finally left the railroad and turned his attention to farming and stock raising. In 1857 Mr. Loftus was married to Miss Margaret Boland, a daughter of Patrick Boland, She has one brother and three sisters, Michael, Bridget, Mary and Susan. To Mr. and Mrs. Loftus the following children were born: Patrick; Mary, who married Thomas Dunn; Kate, deceased, who was the wife of James Smith; Anna, who married Michael McGuire; Bridget, who is the wife of Alfred McManus; Nora, who is the wife of Charles Beatty; Agnes; Thomas and Michael John, the last being named being deceased. Mr. Loftus and family are members of the Holy Name Catholic Church at Steubenville. In politics he is a Democrat.  Return to Family Tales
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