Joshua Oglesbee

As printed in 1882

JOSHUA OGLESBEE, farmer, P. 0. Lumbcrton. There was many a heroic pioneer in the settlement of Clinton County of whom little has yet been said, but to whom this local history is meant to do justice, in relating the progress, growth, development and present prosperity of the county, largely due to their energy, foresight and calm endurance. Among this class of people we are pleased to consecrate a space in this volume to the name Oglesbee, which seems to be of Scotch extraction, but as to the time of becoming known in America is not definite. The paternal grandfather, with one or more married children and a family by the name of Stump, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in the year 1817. The grandfather, Isaiah Oglesbee, settled in Clinton County one and a half miles east of Lumberton, where he and wife both entered their final rest, the former about 1840, and the latter three years later. Both were members of the Friends’ Church. They endured many privations during the short period they resided in this county. The parents of our subject were John and Sarah (Stump) Oglesbee, both natives of Virginia, where they matured and married. They were joined together September 4, 1809, and to the date of coming to Ohio had bora to them three children. They settled in Greene County, Ohio, but subsequently in Clinton County, purchasing 200 acres of land, where W. F. Oglesbee now resides, which was clothed with nature’s own production. By energy, perseverance and wonderful endurance, they grew from small beginning to be among the leading land-owners as well as worthy citizens of the county, which was accomplished in the short space of about twenty years, as the death messenger called him hence on July 12, 1840. But the widow survived, bearing the name of her departed husband until February 5, 1873, when she, too, was called hence. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Their children were eight in number, and Joshua, whose name heads this memoir, was born July 29, 1825, in Liberty Township, where he has always resided. He received the rudiments of an education in the common school. Remained at home and gave his widowed mother his time until his majority when he entered the arena of life for.himself, and on March 11, 1855, was married to Mary M. McKay, sister.of W. F., whose biography appears in this township. She was born September 27, 1837, in Chester Township, Clinton County. To this union have been given three children — Sally M., Alonzo and Horace. Soon after the above marriage they settled on their present farm, which consists of 35(1 acres, which is under cultivation and improvement. This farm receives his entire time, believing that a successful farmer can consume all the time profitably at home, hence we see he has no political aspirations and is contented with the common routine of a farmer’s life. The maternal grandparents of Joshua were Daniel and Mary Stump, also natives of Virginia, where they married, but came to Ohio the same time as tin* Oglesbees. They settled near Harveysburg, where they both died at advanced ages.

As printed in The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.