John B. Severns
John B. Severns, a farmer of section 28, Perry township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 21, 1850. His parents were Simon and Catherine (Schaffer) Severns, the former of whom was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 13, 1820, and the latter, in Maryland, September 14, 1819. The paternal grandfather came from Virginia at an early day and settled in Ohio. In 1852 Simon Severns brought his family to Allen County and located on the farm now occupied by John McPheron, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. He met his death April 2, 1879, by the explosion of a boiler at a sawmill, at which he had stopped for a moment while passing. His wife survived him many years, dying April 14, 1890. Their children were as follows: Samantha R. (Budd), of coorado; Merriman, unmarried, who resides in Colorado; Sarah Ann, who died young; LLewellyn A., a resident of Van Wert, Ohio; John B.; Franklin P., who died in Van Wert County; and Stephen D., who died in early life.
John B. Severns was educated in the district schools of Perry Township and remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went to Colorado. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for several years during early manhood, but finally abandoned it and turned his entire attention to agriculture. He remained in Colorado from September, 1890. until February, 1895, when he came back to Allen County and purchased his present farm.
Mr. Severns has been twice married; first, on September 4, 1879, to Sarah J. Hanthorn, a native of Perry township and a daughter of James A. Hanthorn. She died April 26, 1883, leaving two children: Roscoe, born July 21, 1880, and Florence R., born March 30, 1883, who married George W. McClain, a farmer of Perry township, and has two children Viola P. and Lawrence S. On July 20, 1889, Mr. Severns was married to Hattie E. Cummings who was born in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, January 3, 1867, and is a daughter of W. E. and Mary A. Cummings, Pioneers of Perry township. Five children have blessed this union , namely: Hazel M., born May 13, 1890, in Perry township; Etta I., born June 19, 1891, in Colorado; Frances E., born April 26, 1893 in Colorado; Velma P., born July 9, 1895, who was born in Ohio May 27, 1902. They are members of the Disciples' Church. M. Severns is a Democrat and has served the township both as clerk and treasurer. He is a prominent Knight of Pythias, being a member of Uniopolis Lodge, No. 685.