Francis Marion Story

In the 1850 US Census, Francis is 2 years old, living with his guardian grandparents, Duke III and Mary (Layton) Story. After Duke III died in 1856, his wife, Mary, raised Francis on the Layton farm near Yellowbud, OH. He went to school in Kingston. He made the 5 mile trip daily on horseback and crossed the Scioto River on a ferry boat.

Francis Story enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 at the age of 15 (he lied about his age). He went to Camp Circleville to enlist. When his real age was discovered he was made a drummer boy until he was 16 years old, Aug 15, 1863. In Oct 1863, he was in the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and Chickamauga. . He was in the campaign into Georgia and South Carolina when the war ended. The soldiers had to find their way back to OH, mainly walking. He was mustered out at Camp Cleveland (now Fort Hayes) in Columbus. He was reportedly a Corporal, Company F, 78th O.V.I.

Francis Story married Emily Harper September 11, 1867. Their eldest son, Charles Hay Story, was born Oct 1, 1868 and raised on the farm of Kropp/Lukens Road. The other children were Duke, Joseph, Earl, and Emma.

Francis Story had a farm which became quite prosperous. On his farm he had a racetrack, horse pulls, and other county fair type activities. His weakness was poker and he lost the farm in a poker game. He turned the farm over to the Waple and Trappe families and upon his death (1914) they were to give each of his children $1200. He lived in Columbus prior to his death. Charles Hay Story bought the property at 719 Harrisburg Pike with his $1200.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 26 2019, 1:28:31 UTC