My Genealogy Hound

J. C. DUGAN, tobacco merchant, Higginsport, was born November 30, 1794, on the North Branch of the Potomac River in Maryland, and is the first born of a family of twelve children. He was a son of Joseph Dugan, who came to Ohio in 1800, and Jesse ever after remained in the State. His wife, Christina Heizer, was a native of Virginia, but a resident of what is now Brown County, Ohio, from 1807 until her death, January 5, 1882. He preceded her, dying in June, 1876, after a united life of three score years. Of their ten children four are now living, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Hite; Debornh, widow of O. P. Williams; Lewis, and J. C., whose name heads this sketch. Jesse Dugan devoted his early life to the farm and in Pleasant Township, but soon after his majority he engaged in the store business in Dover, Kentucky, and Levanna, Brown County. This was soon after the county was organized, and no doubt he was one of the first to keep store in the vicinity of Levanna. This business was succeeded by flat-boating down the river to New Orleans. To this he devoted about ten years of his life, and in the meantime he made two trips from New Orleans home on horseback. In 1832, he engaged in the retail store business in Higginsport, being the first merchant of any note in the town. Further mention will be made of him in the sketch of Higginsport. He was at one time elected to the office of County Treasurer, but on account of ill-health proffered a resignation, which was accepted. In 1858, office was again tendered him, when he accepted and was elected a member of the State Board of Equalization, to represent the counties of Brown and Clermont. He was a man whose charity was never exhausted and his hospitality was ever open to the needy, though his acts were unostentatious and seldom known, except to the recipient. Politically, he was a Democrat, and socially, a gentleman. His religious ideas harmonized with the Universalist doctrines, and, in 1840, he was instrumental in organizing a congregation in Higginsport. He died and his body lies in the Norman Cemetery, Pleasant Township, and we dare say, as husband, parent, friend, and citizen, he had few superiors. Our subject, the youngest of his children, was born in Higginsport, Ohio, in 1839, was reared in his native town, and had the privileges of its schools. Since 1862, his time has been given to the tobacco trade, and now he purchases and ships annually about 200 hogsheads. Mr. Dugan, as his father before him, has filled various offices of honor and trust, and now is Clerk of the School Board of the village. His marriage to Miss Emma, daughter of Rev. P. M. Devore, was celebrated October 17, 1861. To this union have been given seven children, of whom five are now living.