My Genealogy Hound

JAMES S. BABB. General farming and stock-raising is the business of this gentleman, whose pleasant home is in Greene County four miles south of Xenia. It comprises one hundred and forty-seven acres in Spring Valley Township, and includes a part of the original home of our subject’s father in this county. Mr. Babb was born near Winchester, Frederick County Va., September 3, 1821, and was not yet two years old when his parents located in Ohio. He received a common-school education, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, when he established a home in Xenia Township. There he remained fifteen yfears, at the expiration of that period returning to the old homestead, where he has since remained. When old enough to exercise the right of suffrage he identified himself with the Whig element, and when the old party gave place to the Republican organization he naturally fell into its ranks. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Henry Clay, and he has not missed a Presidential election since. He is looked upon with respect, as a man of excellent judgment, energy in personal affairs, kindly feeling toward his fellowmen, and one moral in principle and practice.

The marriage of Mr. Babb and Miss Phoebe Lucas was celebrated August 21, 1851, and has been blessed by the birth of eight children: Louisa married Thomas Bell, and died, leaving two sons — Edgar and Arthur; her twin sister, Laura, died at the age of sixteen years; Anna died when ten years old; Chailes L. is next on the family roll; and following him is Horace M.; the next is Louella L., the wife of Melville Davis; Stella J. and Flora M. complete the family circle. Mrs. Babb was born in Marion County, Ind., November 21, 1831, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Mauck) Lucas, who were born in North Carolina. They came to Greene County, Ohio, with their parents, and after their marriage removed to Indiana, and thence to Fayette County, Ohio. Both died at Jamestown, this county. Thomas Lucas served as Justice in Fayette County. His parents, Caleb and Mary (Price) Lucas, were among the early settlers near New Burlington, where they died.

The father of our subject was Peter Babb, who was born in Virginia, February 13, 1796, and who, in April, 1819, married Jane Scarff. She was also a Virginian, born April 8,1795. They came to Ohio in the fall of 1822, journeying by wagons, and locating where the Orphans’ Home now stands, about a mile from Xenia. A year later Mr. Babb bought one hundred acres where our subject now lives, paying $11 per acre, and adding to it until his estate at death amounted to three hundred acres of fine land. He passed away October 25, 1865, his widow surviving until February, 14, 1889. Mr. Babb was an active Whig until the disorganization of that party, when he became a Democrat. Of the seven children comprising his family three are now living — Susan, James S. and Mary. The maternal grandparents of our subject were James and Mary (Hollingshead) Scarff, natives of Maryland, who made their home in Virginia. There the former died many years ago, his widow coming to Ohio and dying at the home of her daughter about 1853.

The Babb family is of English origin, and of Quaker stock. Peter Babb came from England to America in Colonial days, and served in the War for American independence. He made his home in Frederick County, Va., where he owned land and slaves. Following him in the direct line was Abner Babb, who spent his entire life in the Old Dominion, he and his wife, formerly a Miss Robinson, dying of what was known as the cold plague. They had seven sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to rear families, and one of whom was the father of our subject. Three of them settled in Greene County, Ohio, two in Indiana and one in Iowa.