My Genealogy Hound

JACOB ANDERSON OZIAS. Among the rich agricultural districts of the state of Missouri, Johnson County must ever take a prominent place with regard to the importance and value of its farm products. This is due, perhaps, not so much to its natural resources, as to the careful, painstaking efforts of its worthy citizens. One of those who have thus sought to advance her interests is the subject of this sketch, who owns a farm in township 46, range 27, and who has been identified with this county since the year 1866.

Mr. Ozias is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born in Preble County, December 27, 1830, being one of the eight children born to the union of Jacob and Sarah (Potterf) Ozias. Of this family, six still survive. Jacob Ozias was a native of North Carolina, where his birth occurred in the year 1797. When a mere boy, however, he left his native state and emigrated with his parents to Ohio, settling in Preble County. There he grew to man’s estate, receiving a common-school education and becoming expert in farm duties under the instruction of his father.

Upon attaining his majority the father of our subject secured a farm near the parental homestead, which he cultivated very profitably, eventually becoming owner of the home farm. He was unusually successful as a farmer, and at the time of his death owned something over one thousand acres of land. Being a man of great integrity and moral worth, he was well known for his sterling qualities of honesty and industry. He passed to his final rest in the spring of 1866, sincerely mourned by his many friends.

The mother of Jacob A. Ozias was born in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1799, but went to Ohio in her girlhood. There she grew to mature years, and there also she met and married our subject’s father. She could relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life and thrilling experiences of the early settlers. At one time, having occasion to make a trip of about fifteen miles, she saddled her horse, and with one of her children started on the trail which lead through a dense forest. During the ride she met a bear, but as he was disposing of a hog which he had killed, she passed by undisturbed.

Peter Ozias, the grandfather of our subject, went to Ohio in the early pioneer day’s and engaged in the work of opening up the country. At the time of his arrival it was necessary to cut roads through the primeval forests. The red-men were very numerous, but he secured their friendship by fair dealing and kindness, and consequently had nothing to fear from them.

Jacob A. Ozias spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the home farm, receiving such school advantages as could be secured in the district schools of that day, and during his vacations applied himself industriously to work on the farm. Arriving at the age of twenty-one, he began to think of launching out in business for himself, and for about seven years rented land from his father and farmed with a will, his energetic efforts bringing him financial prosperity.

October 8, 1857, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Lavinia Royer, a daughter of Jesse and Susan (Ebe) Royer. The father was born July 23, 1801, and his wife July 19, 1806, both being natives of Pennsylvania. The former died February 23, 1885, and the latter September 4, 1878. They were married in 1828, and became the parents of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and seven of them are now living. Coming to Missouri on their wedding tour, our subject and his wife were very much pleased with the land of this state, and Mr. Ozias purchased three hundred and seventy acres, on which his present residence is located, making his first payment in a horse and buggy, which he had brought with him. They went from Cincinnati to St. Louis by boat and drove the rest of the way across the country. Returning to Ohio, he announced his intention of locating in the new state, but his father discouraged him in this, and as an inducement to remain in his native state divided up his land among the children.

The subject of this sketch received his portion of the home farm and remained thereon until the fall of 1865, when, becoming discouraged at the amount of labor required to render the farm tillable, he decided to come to this state and look up the prospects here. The contrast between the Missouri prairie and the stumpy home farm was so great that he decided to stay here, and, returning to Ohio, he disposed of his land and removed his family to this state, coming in the spring of 1866. This move he has never had cause to regret, for his property here has been a very profitable investment. From three hundred and seventy acres he made the money which, re-invested in land, finally made him the owner of ten hundred and seventy-five acres, which he has now partly divided among his children.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ozias were born six children, five of whom are still living. Susie married William Delaney, who is Cashier of the Bank of Center View, and who is one of the most enterprising citizens of that place. Elmer J., Jesse R., Arthur W. and Carrie E. are still single. Carrie is attending the Elizabeth Aull Seminary at Lexington, Mo., and Arthur is living at home. He is a young man of much promise and we predict for him a bright future.

Politically our subject is a Democrat, and a firm defender of the principles of that party. He is identified with the Progressive Brethren Church, and is prominently connected with all benevolent and public interests. The residence is an imposing one, and its hospitality is well known to the rich and poor alike, who always find a ready welcome there.