Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    WILLIAM A. VANDEGRIFT


    WILLIAM A. VANDEGRIFT, a member of the firm of Bashore & Vandegrift, extensive dealers in farm implements at Covington, Ohio, is also one of the best known auctioneers and land criers in this section of the State, his services being constantly in demand and his successful sales amounting to very large sums annually. Mr. Vandegrift was born May 11, 1873, on a farm in Newberry Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Vandegrift. The father of Mr. Vandegrift resides on his farm in Darke County, Ohio, to which he moved from Miami County. The mother died in Darke County.

    William A. Vandegrift was reared on the John Rhoades farm and was an apt pupil in the public schools. Until 1895 lie devoted himself mainly to farming. In that year he established a grain business at Rangeville, on the C. H.& D. Railroad, and in November, 1897, a post office was established there, named Abe by the efforts of Mr. Vandegrift, and he became its first postmaster. He continued in the grain business for five years and then gave himself the benefit of a vacation, spending seven months in an extended trip through the western States. In the latter part of 1906 he went into partnership in the farm implement business with S. B. Bashore, who had conducted a business of this kind at Covington for three years. The firm of Bashore & Vandegrift do a very large business. They have commodious ware and exhibit rooms and if their daily crowded condition is any indication of sales, they must provide for residents of a large territory. They handle only the most reliable machinery and implements and keep fully abreast of the times. Their high commercial rating and trade standing enable them to make reasonable prices and conditions. Mr. Vandegrift married Miss Alice Smith and they have three children: Ray Ernest, Velma May, and Luther Omer.

    S. B. Bashore, senior member of the firm of Bashore & Vandegrift, like his partner, was born on a farm in Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio, December 13, 1863, and is a son of Benjamin S. and Susanna (Martin) Bashore, the former of whom was a very prominent farmer and the, latter a member of the old Martin kin, some of the best stock in the county. Both are now deceased. S. B. Bashore was appointed by Governor Bushnell, in June, 1896, supervisor of the State Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at Columbus, and he served in that capacity for four years, giving entire satisfaction. After the close of his official life he established himself, in 1901 in the implement business at Columbus, where he remained until he came to Covington, in 1903. He married Miss Carrie B. Hartle, a daughter of A. J. Hartle, and they have three children: Glenna, Io and J. Lee. Mr. Bashore is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is a Thirty-second degree Mason.

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