MRS. ABIGAIL W. BOUSMAN, widow of John Bousman, is one of Elizabeth Township's much esteemed, well known and really remarkable women, for in these days there are few indeed, who, at the age of eighty-five years could so capably and thriftily manage a large farm of 113 acres as does Mrs. Bousman. She was born in Piles Grove Township, Salem County, New Jersey, and on February 28, 1909, she celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday. She is a daughter of Peter and Rebecca Hampton.

Mrs. Bousman has been a continuous resident of Elizabeth Township, Miami County, ever since her marriage, with the exception of a short time spent in making a visit to New Jersey, and for the past sixty years has resided on her present farm, where she either erected or remodeled all the buildings. Her husband, John Bousman, was a son of William Bousman, and a grandson of Lawrence Bousman, who came to Elizabeth Township from Virginia and entered Section 26 on November 18, 1813, receiving a sheepskin deed from the Government hearing the date of February 6, 18l7. The family has always taken pride in the fact that there has never been a claim or mortgage on this farm. Lawrence Bousman married Sarah Gearheart and they had seven children: Mary, Elizabeth, Phebe, Catherine, William, Leonard, and Samuel.

William Bousman lived on a part of the father's farm in Elizabeth Township all his life. He married Nancy Shell, a daughter of John Shell and they had five children: John, Margaret, James, Sarah, and William.

John Bousman remained at home with his father and helped him take care of the farm, which he inherited on the father's death, and this is the property now owned by Mrs. Bousman and on which she resides. He was a quiet, home loving man, and was much respected by his neighbors. He died April 13, 1881, aged sixty years, eight months and thirteen days.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bousman were born ten children, five of whom died in infancy. Those who survived childhood were the following: Sabin, who married Jennie Rollins, daughter of Joseph Rollins; Mary, who married William M. Wise, son of Joseph, and Allen Wise, and has two children, Elizabeth and Clara, of whom the former, Elizabeth, married George Lorton, son of William and Elizabeth Lorton; Ellen, who is now deceased; Elizabeth Rebecca, single, who resides with her aged mother; William, who is single and resides with his mother; and John Perry, who is now deceased. Mrs. Bousman has three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and is proud of them all, as she has reason to be, and in turn they are devoted to her. Mrs. Bousman engaged in general farming, making a specialty of raising grain, and the success which follows her oversight demonstrates the strength both of her body and of her mind. She enjoys good health and keeps up her interest in her family, her work, and her neighborhood as easily as she did years ago. She is a member of the Christian Church.