JOHN TENNIS.-The life work of John Tennis was crowned with a well merited degree of success, and in Sullivan county, where he so long lived and labored, he endeared himself to many friends, and his memory is cherished by those who knew him. Born in northern Pennsylvania 011 the 28th of April, 1842, lie was a son of John J. and Nancy Ann (Rose) Tennis, who were also from that state and were married there. Coming to Sullivan county in their early life they located on a densely w'ooded farm in Jackson township, buying canal land, and here the father toiled early and late until his death about 1876 to bring his farm under cultivation. After a few years the mother sold the farm, and thereafter made her home with her children until her death in 1893.


John Tennis, their son, attended the Badder school in Jackson township in his boyhood, and when he had attained the age of seventeen he began working as a farm hand in Jackson township, but after his marriage, at the age of twenty-one, he lived on his father-in-law's farm until his death, December 17, 1899. Some years before his demise her father had deeded this farm to Mrs. Tennis, and since her husband's death she has carried forward the work of the old homestead with the aid of her sons, and is one of the brave and honored pioneer women of the county.


Mrs. Tennis bore the maiden name of Diana Worth, and was married on the 11th of October, 1863. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (Romig) Worth, were born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but in 1858 they came to Sullivan county, Indiana, and located on a farm in Cass township, where their deaths subsequently occurred. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tennis, namely: James William, deceased; Charles Martin, who is a farmer in South Dakota; Mary Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob Henry, who resides with his mother and has charge of the home farm; John Harrison, a farmer in Greene county; Martha Ann, wife of W. O. Mattox, a miner in Jackson township; Ida Jane, wife of John J. Brewer, who is farming in northwestern Canada; Alfred Alonzo, who is also with his mother; and Roscoe Scott, who is with his sister, Mrs. Mattox. The oldest son of the family is a member of the fraternal order of Woodmen, while the youngest is a member of the Miners' Union. Mr. Tennis, the father, voted with the Democracy, and he was a true and earnest adherent of the Methodist church.