James Inskeep Vause

As printed in 1906

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

County, Ohio, August 12, 1827, but has been identified with Pickaway County since 1857. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Decker) Vause.

The early history of die Vause family belongs to Virginia. The father of James I. Vause was born and reared in Hampshire County, Virginia, whence he came to Clark County, Ohio, and purchased a small farm in the vicinity of Springfield. During the War of 1812. he accompanied his neighbors to the frontier to defend their homes from the British and Indians and was captain of the company of light horse during the period of its service. He found his land well adapted to the growing of grain and the raising of stock, and through his care and excellent methods increased his holdings and became a man of substance as well as importance, owning at his death some 600 acres of land in Franklin and Pickaway counties. In 1823 he settled in the former county and erected a fine home near Lockbourne, in which he resided the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1852. at the age of 66 years. In 1817 he married Elizabeth Decker, who died in 1852. aged 60 years. Their children were: John D.. Rachel. William, Luke

I) James Inskeep, Thomas B., and Hannah Decker. Of these, our subject is the only survivor. John D. married Mary Perrill and lived in Harrison township. Rachel married William Thornton Decker and they are survived by six children. William married Mary Stimmel. and Thomas B. married Missouri Moore and resided at Camp Chase, Columbus.

James I. Vause spent his boyhood in attending the district schools and in assisting on the home farm and remained there until 1858, although he had purchased a part of his present farm in 1857. This purchase was one of 482 acres, formerly the property of Joseph Renick, to which Mr. Vause has added, his last purchase, in 1892. being one of a farm of 130 acres, which he bought of George Hall and W william Mott. His farm ot 600 acres is devoted to crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay and to the raising of cattle, horses and swine. When Mr. Vause acquired his property, a small I amount of clearing* had been done, but the larger part of the land was still heavily tim-

47 be red. This was subsequently cleared by Mr. j Vause and placed under its present hue state ! of cultivation.

On November 7. 1854, Mr. Vause was married to Eliza Wright, born April 17. 1827, j a daughter of Joseph and Sarah ( Flatter] Wright. Mrs. Vause died June 25, 1878. the mother of five children, viz.: Sarah Elizabeth, born October 17, 1856, who died at the age of eight years, 10 months and 17 days; Joseph Wright, born June 22, 1858, one of Harrison township’s substantial men; William Thornton, born January 5, 1860, who died March 29, I 1861; James Edward, born July 24, 1863, who married Ella Conner, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin,.and resides at Milwaukee, where he follows his profession as civil engineer; and Mary Agnes, born September 12, 1865, who is the wife of 1. J. S water, of Harrison township. Mr. and Mrs. Swayer have two children — Herbert Edwin and Ray Vause. Mrs. Eliza (Wright) Vause, the mother of this family, was a devoted and useful member of the Asbury Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church and was a hearty worker in the Missionary Society of that body.

Mr. Vause was married (second), on September 9, 1880, in Walnut township, Pickaway County, to Alary A. Haas, who was born November 7, 1845, M Pickaway County, Ohio, and died November 13. 1900, aged 55 years. She was a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Haas, of Pickaway County.

The beautiful home of Mr. Vause was erected in 1873, taking the place of the old log house, which had served its time as a place of residence. Here Mr. Vause still resides, although he is relieved of all business care by his son, Joseph Wright Vause, who has always resided on the old homestead. In spite of his 79 years, Mr. Vause is in the enjoyment of: vigorous health, tins being a heritage from a; wholesome boyhood and the result of an un- 1 usual busy life, a large part of which, has been passed in the healthful pursuits of agriculture. In his political views. Mr. Vause has always been an ardent Republican. As an intelligent citizen he has' kept alive his interest in public movements as well as local enterprises and has been liberal in the assistance he has given to objects of charity and benevolence when they have been brought to his attention. Aside from the personal esteem in which he is held, he is an interesting figure in Harrison township as a representative of a fine old family which came to the county as pioneers.

As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.