In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1912) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912), The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902)
FRENCH W. SEVERNS.
French W. Severns, who is now serving as county treasurer of Knox county, is a native of Cochocton county, Ohio, born in 1863. When a little lad of eight years he came to this county with his parents, Isaac D. and Elizabeth (Mills) Severns, who are still residing upon a farm in Pleasant town. ship. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Severns, son of Joseph Severns, was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, and served in the war of 181 2 with the rank of first sergeant. He was at Detroit at the time of Hull's surrender and after the war he walked from that place to Coshocton county, Ohio. There he located lands in Newcastle township, and upon the farm which he there developed and improved he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1884,. when in his eighty-fourth year. He was a very active and influential citizen there at an early day, served as county commissioner and filled other offices of public trust. He was married in Co-shocton county to Miss Mary Darling, a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the locality. Her father was a leading stock-raiser and his nephews now have the largest herds of shorthorn cattle in central Ohio.
Isaac D. Severns, a son of Samuel and Mary (Darling) Severns, came to Knox county with his family in 1871, and has since been identified with its farming interests. He, too, is active and influential in county affairs, and has always given a stalwart support to the principles of the Democracy. He wedded Elizabeth Mills, and their son, French W., is now the only one of their children living in this county. The others are Edgar C, a dentist practicing in Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Thomas Hagerman, of Huron county, Ohio; and Mrs. Charles Hagerty, of Dodge City, Kansas.
In the public schools of Knox county our subject pursued his early education, and later attended the Northwestern University, at Ada, Ohio. Later he engaged in business in Michigan, but subsequently he returned to Knox county and took charge of his father's farm, which he continued to operate until 1899, making a specialty of the cultivation of fruit and of stock-raising-
The work was carried on along progressive lines and his labors brought a good financial return.
In this county Mr. Severns was united in marriage to Miss Olive Hagaman, of Mount Vernon, a daughter of John Hagaman, of that city. They have two children, Edna Mildred and Robert Baning. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the merited esteem of many friends. Socially Mr. Severns is connected with the various Masonic bodies in Mount Vernon, the Knights of Pythias Iodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The fraternal spirit of these orders he exemplifies in his daily life, and is therefore accounted one of the loyal representatives of the different societies with which he is identified. He gives the greater part of his attention now to his official duties and his course indicates that the confidence reposed in him by his constituents is well merited.
As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
FRENCH W. SEVERNS.
One of the leading business men and public-spirited citizens of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is French W. Severns, a man who has figured more or less conspicuously in the material and civic affairs of his locality for over a quarter of a century. As a citizen, his reputation is unimpeachable and as a neighbor and friend be is widely respected, none in the county standing higher in public esteem.
Mr. Severns was born on December 5, 1862, on a farm near Newcastle, Coshocton county, Ohio. He is the son of Isaac D. and Elizabeth (Mills) Severns. In 1871 the family moved to Pleasant township, Knox county, where the father engaged in farming, becoming one of the substantial farmers of his community. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in public affairs. He was trustee of the township for several years, also filled other public offices. His death occurred in May, 1906; his widow survives, still making her home on the farm in Pleasant township.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Severns, named as
6o8 follows: Melissa, now Mrs. Hagaman, of Huron county, Ohio; Sarah married C. A. Hagerty, of California; French W., of this sketch; Edgar C., of Chicago; Clementine, the oldest child, died at the age of twenty-three years.
French \V. Severns, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools of his home community, later attending the Baptist College at Hillsdale, Michigan, after which he returned home and remained on the farm until his marriage, on November 30, 1891, to Olive E. Hagaman, daughter of John and Julia (Walls) Hagaman, a well-known family of Mt. Vernon.
To Mr. and Mrs. Severns five children have been born, named as follows: Edna M., Robert D., John E., Elizabeth J. and Josephine, all at home at this writing.
For several years following his marriage, Mr. Severns farmer in Pleasant township, and in 1900 he left the farm and moved to Mt. Vernon, where he has since resided, having been active in business affairs and where he has a modern and attractive home.
Politically, Mr. Severns is a Democrat and he has taken much more than a passing interest in public affairs since reaching maturity. He was clerk of Pleasant township for a number of years, also a member of the board of education. As a public servant he has always performed his duties faithfully and acceptably. In November, 1899, he was elected treasurer of Knox county, and his record was so eminently satisfactory that he was re-elected in 1901, serving for a period of four years. He has served almost continuously for fifteen years as a member of the Democratic county executive committee and he has always been prominent in the councils of his party. He has also been a frequent delegate to district, county and state conventions. After leaving the treasurer's office he was cashier of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Mt. Vernon for two years, giving the utmost satisfaction to patrons and stockholders. Since severing his connection with the bank he has devoted his attention to his farm and other business interests. His place in Pleasant township consists of one hundred and eighty acres which is well improved and under a good state of cultivation. He keeps his farm well stocked with good grades of live stock of various kinds.
Mr. Severns is a member of the Mt. Vernon board of review which is operated by the state tax commissioner, for a period of five years. He belongs to the Masonic order and all the Masonic bodies, including the commandery. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, he being one of the board of trustees and an active member in the church, also the Sunday school. His home is at No. 301 North Gay street and is prominent in the local social life, the family having been popular in all circles in which they move since coming to Mt. Vernon.
As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Samuel Severns
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.