JOHN M. BASHORE, who is serving his twelfth year as a member of the Miami County Fair Board, is a substantial citizen of Covington and is the owner of a farm of 118 acres in Newton Township, which he has farmed since early manhood. He was born on a farm in Newton Township, September 17, 1849, and is a son of Benjamin and Susanna (Martin) Bashore, who were early residents of the county.

The subject of this record was reared on his father's farm two miles south of Greenville Falls, in Newton Township, and received his schooling in the district schools. After marriage he and his wife set up housekeeping on the farm he now owns, living there from November, 1871, until February, 1903, when he moved to Covington. There he purchased of his sister the fine frame house now occupied by them. He made most of the improvements on the farm and always engaged in general farming, following modern and approved methods in his work. He always has taken an interest in the affairs of the community in which he has lived, and is progressive and enterprising. He served twelve or fourteen years as pike superintendent of Newton Township, and was also first elected to the Fair Board from that township.

May 18, 1871, Mr. Bashore was married to Miss Sarah Jane Moist, who was born near Dayton, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry Moist. Her mother died at her birth and she was reared in the family of an uncle, Abraham Moist, who lived southwest of Covington. To them was born four children: Charles, Susanna, Frederick, and one that died at birth. Susanna is the only one living. She first married James Shoe, and their daughter, Martha Shoe, makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Bashore. Susanna formed a second union with Michael Bashore and they live in Missoula, Montana. Politically, the subject of this record is a Republican. In fraternal affiliation he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.