BUTLER COUNTY OHIO *********************************************************************** File contributed & permission given for use in the Ohio Biographies Project by Nancy Sween & the submitter Butler County OHGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohbutler *********************************************************************** * A History and Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers Cincinnati Ohio. Western Biographical Publishing Company, 1882. James M. EARP was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, December 23, 1850, and was married May 31, 1877, in Shelby County, Illinois, to Miss Ida MAY, daughter of Colonel Freeman B. THOMPSON. They have two children. Mary Ellen was born April 6, 1878, in Shelby County, Illinois, and Lillie Mary was born March 18, 1880, in Butler County. Mr. EARP came here from Illinois in 1879, and settled in Union Township, where he resided on Mr. James BEATTY's farm; removing in 1880 to Hamilton. In May, 1881, he began business in West Hamilton as a hatter and dealer in gentlemen's furnishing goods.