BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
20th CENTURY HISTORY
of
Springfield and Clark County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens
Publ: Biographical Publishing Co.
Geo. Richmond, Pres      C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Chicago, Illinois
1908

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JOHN S. BROWN, who conducts the largest loan, real estate and insurance business at South Charleston, with office adjoining the Bank of South Charleston, has long been one of the leading men of affairs in this city.  He was born March, 1867, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel G. and Jennie (Ferris) Brown.      Samuel Brown was born in Scotland and was a son of Thomas Brown, also a native of that country, and was one of a family of four children born to his parents.  Upon coming to this country, Samuel Brown located at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Jennie Ferris, a daughter of George Ferris, also a native of Scotland.  To this union were born six children, two of whom are still living: Jennie E. Bowers of Steelton, Pennsylvania; and John S.  Samuel Brown served three years and nine months in the army during the Civil War, and was severely wounded four times, his death, which occurred in 1885, resulting from a wound received during the long period of military service.  He was one of the charter members of Mitchell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Springfield.  After his return from the war, he engaged as a type-setter and printer for a number of years.  He is survived by his widow who is a resident of Springfield, Ohio.      John S. Brown was reared in Cleveland, Ohio, and received his education in the elementary schools of that city, and the High School of Yellow Springs, and later worked as a printer for a few years.  He then engaged in the manufacture of sweat-pads, with C. H. Wentz of South Charleston for a short time, after which he was employed for five years by A. Mclntire in conducting a bakery.  He next was associated with the Bank of South Charleston for a period of four years, when he again embarked in the bakery business, establishing the bakery now owned by George Flowers, and continued in that for five years.  Since then he has been most  successfully engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business, handling all kinds of city and country property.      Mr. Brown was joined in marriage with Mary M. Carr, a daughter of Samuel Carr, and to them have been born three children, but two of whom are living: Gertrude, and John S.      Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican and has served ten years as Central Committeeman and five terms as township clerk. He was a member of the Board of Election for some time and was for ten years clerk of the township School Board.  He is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., and Fielding Lodge, F. & A. M., of the former being financial secretary for thirteen years and for two terms deputy district Grand Master.  His religious connection is with the Methodist Church, of which he was treasurer for a period of ten years. Source: 20th Century History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ: Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1908 - Page 913

Mrs. A. S. Bushnell Residence Springfield, O Asa S. Bushnell

GOV. ASA SMITH BUSHNELL, who was once the chief executive of the great Commonwealth of Ohio, in passing out of life left behind him a record of public service and private virtue which places his name among the distinguished citizens of the state.      Mr. Bushnell was born Sept. 16, 1834, at Rome, Oneida County, New York, and was a son of Daniel and Harriet (Smith) Bushnell.  He belonged to one of the prominent colonial families of New England and was descended from Revolutionary stock.  His grandfather, Jason Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, served in the War of the Revolution, and died at Lisbon, Connecticut, full of years and honors.  Daniel Bushnell, father of the governor, was born at Lisbon, Feb. 7, 1800, and died at Oberlin, Ohio.  For a number of years he resided in New York, but came to Ohio in 1845, settling first at Cincinnati and later at Oberlin.  On Mar. 9, 1S25, he married Harriet Smith.      The only college from which Governor Bushnell graduated was the common school, and he was sixteen years old when he began his business career in Springfield.  After an experience of three years as a salesman in the mercantile establishment of a local firm, he became bookkeeper for Leffel, Cook and Blakeney, and was later with Warder, Brokaw and Child.  In the fall of 1858, he entered into partnership with Dr. John Ludlow, in the conduct of a drug store, and for the succeeding ten years continued to be interested in that business.  Subsequently he became a partner with Warder, Mitchell and Company, which later became the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, manufacturers of mowers and reapers.  In 1886 Mr. Bushnell became president of that company and to his business ability has been attributed much of its remarkable success.  He was financially interested in many other large business enterprises and was president of the First National Bank at Springfield and of the Springfield Gas Company.  If he had no other claim to fame, his success in business life would have made him notable, even in the day when the captains of industry are numerous.  He was a man of great decision of character, combined with a quickness of comprehension that made it possible for him to view a business field and realize its possibilities with a quick understanding that inspired confidence in his associates.      Politically he had long been a Republican leader before he was honored with election to the chair of governor of Ohio.  In 1885 he was made chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee; in 1886 he was appointed quartermaster general on the staff of Gov. J. B. Foraker; and in 1887 he was nominated as a candidate for lieutenant governor, an honor he declined, as he did a nomination for governor in 1889.  In 1891, Mr. Bushnell ardently supported McKinley, and in 1892 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, serving subsequently many times as such.  In May, 1895, the nomination for governor came to him without solicitation on his part, and his election by a larger majority than was ever before given a candidate for the office, with one exception, was a grand testimonial to the confidence felt in him by his fellow-citizens.  As the fortieth governor of Ohio, he was inaugurated Jan. 13, 1896, and was re-elected in 1897.  History records the achievements of his administration and it accords him a leading place among a long line of brilliant statesmen and true patriots.      In September, 1857, Mr. Bushnell was married to Ellen Ludlow, daughter of Dr. John and Elmina (Gretman) Ludlow.  The late Dr. John Ludlow, who for many years was president of the Springfield Bank, was one of the valued and honored citizens of Springfield.  He was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1810, and was a son of Cooper Ludlow, who was a pioneer from New Jersey.  In 1835 he married Elmina Getman, who was born in Herkimer County, New York, and they had three children, namely: Ellen, who is the widow of the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell; Frederick, who died Jan. 18, 1906; and Charles, who resides at No. 148 East High Street.  His son, Charles R. Ludlow, is connected with the First National Bank at Springfield.  An extended sketch of Dr. John Ludlow will be found in this work.      Governor Bushnell and wife reared two daughters and one son, viz: Fanny (Mrs. John F. McGrew), Harriet E. (Mrs. H. C. Dimond), and John L.  Mrs. Bushnell occupies one of the most beautiful homes of Springfield, her residence being situated at No. 838 East High Street.*      John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell, is one of Springfield's most prominent citizens.  He is president of the Champion Construction Company, and of the Springfield, Troy and Piqua Railway Company, and second vice president of the First National Bank, and attends to his large business interests at offices located in the Bushnell Block, which is the finest office structure in this city.      During a period of the Civil War the late Governor Bushnell saw hard service in the army, and was captain of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, leading it on many victorious fields.  He subsequently became a comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic, and its interests always commanded his attention.  He belonged to the higher branches of Masonry, had attained the 32nd degree, and was one of the few who have received the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite.  He was noted for his abundant charities, which were the natural outcome of a kind and generous nature.  The needs of the poor and afflicted always appealed to him and, both as a high public official and as a private citizen, it was his pleasure to lighten burdens and to give comfort and cheer in every possible case.      For many years he was a communicant and for forty years a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church, and probably within that body alone was known the extent of his private benevolence.  The beautiful Parish House that was presented to the church as a memorial of her husband by his devoted widow, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, was thus a most appropriate gift, and it was given and received as a fitting tribute to one who, as the rector of the church declared, "drew to himself the love and friendship of a whole city; who knew no class distinction, and who was the friend of every man, irrespective of his worldly possessions."      This chapel was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Vincent, bishop of the Southern Diocese of Ohio, and was presented by Mrs. Bushnell to the vestrymen of Christ Church on Apr. 24, 1907, the touching presentation speech being made by John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell.  The cost of this chapel was $15,000.  It is designed for the use of the pastor, the Women's Guild and the Sunday school and is elaborately fitted with every modern comfort and convenience. Source: 20th Century History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio and Representative Citizens - Publ: Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1908 - Page 547 * Another view of 838 East High Street on corner of Walnut Street, Springfield, OH

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