John Wilson Cassingham Biographical Sketch

ROBERT TARMAN, who died January 17, 1894, was a well-known agriculturist of Hancock County, residing on section 28, La Harpe Township. He was a native of Rappahannock County, Va., born May 19, 1827. His father, George Tarman, was born in Maryland, but in early life removed to Virginia, from whence he enlisted in the War of 1812. While residing in the Old Dominion, he served as overseer of slavedriver for Samuel Chancellor, but he did not like this occupation, and in consequence removed to Ohio, in 1836, accompanied by his family. All the produce raised on the one thousand acre plantation was hauled to Falmouth, and Mr. Tarman handled all the money for the same. He was married in February, 1817, to Mary Spicer, daughter of William Spicer, of Rappahannock County, Va., and unto them were born nine children in all. He took his wife and eight children in a one-horse cart to their new home in Ohio. Their journey, which lasted four weeks, was made in December, 1836, the weather being bitterly cold. When they reached Muskingum County they put what household effects they had into a rented cabin, and the father worked at whatever he could find to do. The mother spun and wove all the wearing apparel for the family, and in those early days they suffered many trials and hardships. Their children were as follows: Martha Ann, deceased, wife of Philip Barnes, a farmer of Muskingum County, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth, widow of Philip Parker, a farmer of Fayette County, Ill.; William, who was a farmer of Muskingum County, but is now deceased; Alfred, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Muskingum County; Robert, of this sketch; Mahala Jane, deceased, wife of Michael Dolan, who was captain of a boat on the Ohio Canal and subsequently became a physician in Allen County, Ind., where he died; Sarah, deceased, wife of Mathias Farman, of Hancock County; Samuel who died in this county; and Archibald, of La Crosse, Ill.

Robert Tarman accompanied his parents to Ohio, and received the rudiments of an education in the district schools of Muskingum County, but his privileges were very meagre. He worked on various farms for his father until he has attained his majority, when he began working in his own interest as a farm hand. His first independent effort in life brought him the munificent sum of twenty-five cents per day. He had many obstacles to overcome, but by industry and perseverance he worked his way upward to success.

On the 1st of May, 1851, Mr. Tarman was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Cassingham, daughter of Richard and Margaret (Morrison) Cassingham. Six children were born unto them, a son and five daughters, namely: Minerva, wife of Peter Peck, a farmer of Page County, Iowa; Mattie, at home; Laura, wife of Judson Tarman, an agriculturist of McLean County, Ill.; Celia, deceased; Ollie, at home; and Luther, who has also passed away.

Mr. Tarman came from Ohio to Hancock County in 1853, and purchased fifty acres of land in La Harpe Township, upon which he at once located. To this he added, however, from time to time, until at his death his farm comprised one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon it. He was a man of good business ability, and his well-directed efforts brought him a comfortable competence, which his family now possesses.

In politics, Mr. Tarman was a Republican. In early life he supported the Whig party, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and afterward fought under its banner. He served as School Director for about sixteen years, and during his term the cause of education found in him a stalwart supporter, ever ready to promote its interests. He held membership with the Methodist Protestant Church of La Harpe. During the past four years he had been in poor health, and in 1892 he made a trip to the West, hoping to be benefited thereby. For twenty-eight years, Mr. Tarman cared for his parents and made their declining days happy. His mother passed away April 9, 1892, at the very advanced age of ninety-five years. Mr. Tarman was a man of upright principles, and one always honorable and straightforward in his dealings, and his well-spent life gained him the confidence and high regard of his fellow-townsmen.

Mr. Tarman died January 17, 1894, on his farm, and shortly afterwards the family removed to La Harpe, where they now reside. Of him the La Harper said upon the occasion of his death:

"For a long time he was seriously afflicted, but during all his afflictions he was patient and hopeful. His expressed desire to live was from intense love for his family. But though desirous to live, he became fully reconciled to the Divine Providence that called him away. His faith and hope rested upon the Rock of Ages. It is blessed to die the death of the righteous. though conscious that he had not lived up to the privileges afforded him--conscious of failure to live a perfect Christian life--yet such was his faith in the mercy and love of God, so clearly manifested in the gift of His Son to redeem a lost world, that he calmly rested at the foot of the Cross, and for many days before his death, as he thought of that hymn entitled, 'Take Me as I Am,' requested that it be sung at his funeral. It was a great comfort to the bereaved that Mr. Tarman was conscious and able to converse with them to within a few minutes of his death. In the death of Mr. Tarman the community has lost an excellent citizen, the church a devoted member, and the family a loving husband and father."