My Genealogy Hound

BABB, R., proprietor of the National Hotel; born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1810; he was raised in this State on a farm until eighteen years of age; previous to this time he had crossed the Alleghany mountains three times with a six-horse team; in 1828 he moved to Ohio and learned the wagon-making trade, and carried on the business nine years; then moved to Clinton county, Indiana, and engaged in merchandizing; while living here was elected sheriff of the county, and served four years; in 1849 he again changed his location, settling in Bloomington, Illinois, and engaged in selling goods and keeping hotel; he came to this county in 1854, and commenced trading in stock and selling goods; in 1866 he purchased the National Hotel, and has conducted it successfully since that time; he married Miss Elizabeth Anderson, February 2, 1832; she was born in Greene county, Ohio; they have three children living: Martha J., now Mrs. Myers, Mary E., wife of J. H. Whitney, and Hannah M.; they have lost four.