John M. Violet Merchantile
Harrisonville, OH

Owner:  John M. Violet
Year started:  1845
Year ended:  1895 

John M. Violet owned and operated a merchantile in Harrisonville for over 50 years.  His occupation is listed as a Grocer on census records for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.  His obituary states that he started his business in 1845.

The Portsmouth Times, April 8, 1882
John M. Violet, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Harrisonville, O.  The undersigned has just received a large stock of new goods of every variety which he proposes to offer to his friends and the public at the lowest market prices.

Having bought for cash, I will not be undersold by any competitor.  My stock consists of the best assortment of dry goods, groceries, boots & shoes, hats & caps, hardware, china & glassware from which to select.

Will pay the highest cash price for country produce.  Call at my store at Harrisonville before making your purchases.  John M. Violet 

The Portsmouth Times, August 18, 1895

John M. Violet

One of the most prominent citizens of the county died Sunday afernoon at 3 o'clock when John M. Violet breathed his last.  To the the loved ones watching at the sufferer's bedside, death did not come unexpected. 

For more than a week his decline had been quite rapid, and death came to him with a gentle hand.  Hopes were entertained for his recovery until a few days ago when he took a violent chill and grew suddenly worse.  Death was caused by liver trouble.  He was first taken sick in March.  Two surgical operations were performed on him in hopes of relief.  They were only partially successful.

Mr. Violet was born in Pike county, June 14, 1820 and was consenquently 75 years old at the time of his death.  He remained with his parents until his twenty-fifth year, when he came to Harrisonville and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he has been actively engaged ever since.  Starting in life as a poor boy he worked his way to the top by his own energy and perseverance, and was reputed to be one of the wealthiest citizens of the county.  He was the owner of over 1,000 acres of the finest farming land in Harrison township.

He was married Caroline M. Dewey. The union was a most happy one, the golden wedding anniversary being celebrated just a few days before he was taken sick.  He leaves two children, Caroline L and John S., who make their home with him at Harrisonville.  John S. married a daughter of Oscar Coburn.

Mr. Violet has been a life-long Democrat, and was elected commissioner on that ticket in 1862.  He has been a member of the Methodist church all his life and was an earnest, active Christian.

The funeral will be preached at the M.E. church at Harrisonville tomorrow at 2 o'clock and the the remains brought to this city and interred in Greenlawn cemetery Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock.