Here is more on John R. Bozman:
Ancestry.com Bozman message board, Chris Bozman, “Re: John R. Bozman Obituary” 30 Jan. 2004 from
-Morgan Co., OH. Democrat Weekly Newspaper, May 26, 1882,
McConnelsville (John R. Bozman)
A few days ago we called upon the above named person, thinking
that we might obtain from him a few facts about his early life
history, that would prove interesting to the readers of the
Democrat. We found Mr. Bozman at his residence, and were kindly
received.
JOHN ROYSTON BOZMAN was born in Baltimore county, Md. March 5,
1807. In the fall of 1819 his father, like a great many others
at that time, took the western fever and gathered together his
wordly [worldly] effects, loading them into a wagon, along with
his five small children, turned his face toward the setting sun,
and after many days of tedious travel over the Allegheny
mountains, out through western Pennsylvania, and across the Ohio
river at Wheeling,(W.VA.) and then through the almost unbroken
forest of the estern [eastern] Ohio, came to this county,
arriving at McConnelsville September 21, 1819.
In those days it required a good deal of nerve for anyone,
surrounded by all the comforts of life, as Mr. Bozman's father
was, to tear up and cut loose from civilization and go into a
new country, well knowing the hardships not only of a trip over
the mountains, but those that were to be endured in the western
wilds of the then young State of Ohio.
Early in the fall of 1819, Wilkes, or better known as
Grandfather Bozman, entered at the Zanesville Land Office the
northwest quarter of Section 31, Township 11, Range 11, in
Bristol township and situated about 3 miles from this place, and
now occupied and jointly owned by Mr. David Mercer and wife.
This piece of land Mr. Bozman helped to clear up and cultivate
until he arrived at the age of 21 years, when his father gave
him a small tract of land, and he commenced to operate for
himself. He soon turned his attention to stock dealing,
principally buying and driving to the eastern markets. In 1826
he left his farm and located in McConnelsville, where he has
resided ever since. During his life he made over fifty trips on
horseback, with cattle, over the mountains to eastern cities,
and has driven to eastern markets over 19,000 head of cattle. He
has been a man of fine physical powers, and they who look upon
him today will see the same face that they beheld years ago at
the head of a drove of cattle as it wound its way through the
great Alleghenies - the only perceptible change being the marks
of father time. He has bought stock at prices which would
surprise even our oldest farmers of to-day; and that they may
know what changes have taken place in this respect, since Mr.
Bozman's earliest days, we here give his exact language: "I have
bought cattle from 80 cents to $8 per one hundred pounds; sheep
from 50 cents per head up; and have had dressed pork delivered
to me for from $1.43 to $8 per one hundred pounds". He has also
sold wool for all prices between 24 and 55 cents per pound. In
addition to his extensive stock transactions, he has owned and
improved more land than any other man in Morgan County. He has
also paid into the County Treasury, of this County, more than
twenty-one thousand dollars as taxes.
Mr. Bozman's life has been one that would invite trust and
respect. He learned to be self-reliant at the dawn of manhood,
and has never lost that self mastery, and foresight that has
followed him through a long and useful life. He has shown
himself to be endowed by nature with a strong intellect and
sound judgment. He is social and genial in his nature, free
alike from austerity and undue familiarty, never favored pomp
and parade and has been a man of economy. His success has shown
his ability as a pure and plain government of his own affairs.
His judgment always came from close study and keen observations.
He comes to a conclusion slowly but certainly, and when once a
conclusion is formed, it is firm and immovable. To a farmer
friend he has always been a safe counselor, and has shown
himself to be well versed in all branches of agriculture. He has
been the father of eleven children, seven of which are living.
In family relations he has been courtly and tender, affectionate
and commanding. When approached in matters of business he is
business up to the scratch, and after business then comes
pleasure, and Mr. Bozman is not the man to neglect the former
for the latter. He always possessed a great equanimity of temper
and never seems depressed on account of anything. All through
life he has ever been buoyant in spirity, [spirit.] Labor was
his pleasure in youth and now in old age he reaps its harvest,
and we say may the close of his useful life, like the setting
sun, reflect back and influence on those he may leave behind.
Note: David H. MERCER married Frances Eliza BOMAN, 7 March,
1867, by W.M.Grimes. Frances Eliza was born 13 Sep, 1842, Bloom
Twp., Morgan Co., OH., & was the dau. of Wilkes Bozman
Richardson and his first wife, Ruth R. Bozman, (who were
cousins).