Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - William Bales
WILLIAM BALES
William Bales (deceased) was born in Milton,
Hillsboro County, N. H., January 24, 1809. His parents, William
L. and Chloe (Halt) Bales, were originally from Vermont. They
were both born in 1784, the former March 13, and the latter August 6.
William Bales, father of William L. and grandfather of William Bales,
the subject of this sketch, was a soldier under Gen. Washington in the
Revolution, while his father was engaged on the side of Great Britain,
having being pressed into the British ranks. In 1840, Mr. Bales,
the father of our subject, came to Union County, and settled in Allen
Township, where he died October 4, 1876, aged ninety two years.
His wife preceded him March 10, 1856. William, our subject, was
reared to manhood on a farm. February 1, 1838, he was married to
Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Rachel Cavender, and a native of
Hillsboro County, N. H. She was born March 19, 1818. The fall of
1838, he removed westward, and settled near Newton, Union County, and
the following year settled in Allen Township. He cleared up his
first farm, which contained 150 acres, from the stamps. He
accumulated land to the amount of 400 acres, besides land in the West,
but through a turn of ill-luck he lost considerable property. He
resided on the West Liberty & Columbus Stage route, and in early
days accommodated many a weary traveler. He served as Postmaster
of Caberly P. O., about twenty years. He was elected Justice of
the Peace, but declined to fill the office. He devoted his
undivided attention to farming and raising stock. He was one of
the first to introduce Morgan horses in the county. He died a
member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he always advocated
the doctrines and principles of Democracy. He was the parent of
ten children, nine of whom survive him, viz.: William W., married Jenny
Dunn; Walter W., married Victoria Inskeep; Clifford C., married Jane
Allen; Mary M., wife of Oliver Carter; Rosa, wife of Oliver Inskeep;
Frank; Burnham C., married Emma A. Lee; Sarah A., wife of Charles W.
Brodrick, and George; Rachel R. is deceased. Mrs. Bales' parents
live with her and her children, aged ninety six and ninety-three years
respectively. They have lived a married life of seventy-two
years, and reared a family of nine children. They are perhaps the
oldest couple in Union County. Mr. Cavender's father came from
Ireland in 1775, and served from the beginning to the close of the
Revolutionary war.