Pg 381

         FINLEY M. ONG, of the firm of Keller & Ong, druggists, and dealers in books, stationery, wall-paper, watches, clocks and jewelry, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Jefferson County, Aug. 3, 1832. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Irvine) Ong. The father was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1806, and was of Welsh descent. The family were formerly from Pennsylvania, where they were early settlers. The great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side carried the mail between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on horseback during the War of 1812. Mr. Ong’s mother was born in County Donegal, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, and came to America when six years of age. Her death occurred in November, 1887, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Ong died in 1862, aged seventy-five years.

Finley M. Ong received a common-school education, and was employed as merchant’s clerk in his native State for one year. In 1855 he emigrated to Wapello, Iowa, arriving here on the 1st of May. . . .

Pg 382

. . . He engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store until August, 1861, when he enlisted for the late war, and was sworn into the service Sept. 20, 1861, as a member of Company K, 8th Iowa Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the 16th Army Corps, and their initiation into the business of war was at the battle of Shiloh. They were next at the siege of Corinth, engaging in the battles of Corinth, on Oct. 3 and 4, 1862. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, was with Banks through the entire Red River expedition, and was mustered out Sept, 28, 1864, after three years and one month of hard service.

Having a wife and young family at home, Mr. Ong felt that he had done his duty, and should be excused from further service, so returned to his home. He was married at Burlington, Iowa, June 26, 1856, to Miss Eliza J. Christy, daughter of Henry Christy. Mrs. Ong was born in the same county in Ohio in which her husband was, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Three children were born unto them, two sons and a daughter—Edwin F., Lillie M. and George F. Mr. Ong is a Republican in politics; is a member of the G. A. R.; of the Iowa Legion of Honor; and is a member of Wapello Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years. During his residence of thirty-three years at Wapello Mr. Ong has made many warm friends by his upright and honorable course of life, and genial, courteous manner. For three years after the war Mr. Ong spent his time in traveling, and in 1867 was accompanied by Mr. Keller.