Bash, George W.

GEORGE W. BASH.—Ranking high among the most thoroughly up-to-date agriculturists and stock raisers within Otter Creek township, is George W. Bash, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, born in a log cabin on the old Bash homestead, December 26, 1865, a son of Jacob James Bash, who was born in 1818, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and followed farming. He attended school until seventeen years of age, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade. He bought the homestead consisting of one hundred acres of land, which he cleared up and cultivated. Upon making his final payment on this land he was compelled to walk sixty-four miles to deliver the money. He married Jane Jones, daughter of Elias Jones, a farmer in Virginia; she died at the age of seventy-five years. He died in 1896. Politically he was a Democrat, and a member of the Reformed church. Their children were: George W.; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Trine, a Nebraska farmer; John, a deceased farmer; Marion, married Ed. Long, a farmer of Hempfield township; Experience, married Ephraim Hadley, a farmer of Hadley township; Esther, married F. Krahman, a gardener of Akron, Ohio; Maria, wife of Thomas Goodman ; Theodosia, deceased; Jacob, deceased.

George W: Bash attended school until he was about eighteen years of age. He worked on his father's farm until the latter's death, taking possession then and improving the old homestead, which consisted of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. During the year 1908 he erected one of the largest barns within the entire township. He is largely interested in raising and handling Shorthorn cattle, and also has registered stock.

Politically Mr. Bash is a firm believer in the political doctrines as set forth in the platforms of the Democratic party. He has held the local position of supervisor two terms, and is at present the secretary of the school board. In church matters he is a strict devotee of the Presbyterian church faith. Among the curiosities held sacred by Mr. Bash may be named the parchment deed for his homestead, which bears date of 1787 and is signed by the hand of "President" Benjamin Franklin.

Mr. Bash was married at Greenville, Pennsylvania, in 1892, to Martha, daughter of Albert Conover and Cynthia (Skinner) Conover. From the age of two years Mrs. Bash was reared and educated by Mead Campbell, of Sugar Grove township, up to the time of her marriage. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bash are as follows: Albert L.; D'Arle; Marian; Florence, and Farl.