James Polk Roush
James Polk Roush, merchant, of Bentonville, was born in Sprigg Township, December 29, 1842. on the farm now occupied by Michael Smith. His grandparents, Michael and Mary Frye Roush, were married in Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1794, and removed to Adams County, in 1796, settling on the above mentioned farm. Michael Roush was a millwright and he built and ran a "horse mill," common in early times. It is remarkable that when Mr. Roush came to Adams County that stone was so scarce that he drove all the way down Suck Run without finding a wagon load for pillars for his house and used locust blocks instead, some of which may be seen under the old house to this day. Robert S. Roush, the father of our subject, was born September 6, 1814, at the old place. He married Mary Ann Hook, in 1837, the fruits of which union were Dobbins, Elizabeth, James Polk, Michael, Thomas H., John H., Franklin P., William W. and George W. Mr. Roush, the subject of this sketch, received a limited education in the common schools of the township, and has given his attention mostly to farming until the last three years since which time he has been engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in Bentonville. He was married October 15, 1863, to Caroline B. McNulty, daughter of Asa McNulty, of Brown County.
The children born to them are Ida M., married to Thos. Sinniger, of Bentonville; Anna, married to James Sinniger, of Aberdeen, Ohio; Eliza Jane, married to W. J. Flaugher, merchant, of Bentonville; George C, married to Bertha Shipley (deceased), daughter of Milton Shipley, and Frank, married to Identie Smith. Mr. Roush is a Democrat of the old school, although he has never taken any active part in politics, preferring to give his whole attention to his business, at which he has been moderately successfully. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township in 1899 without any solicitation on his part. Mr. Roush is known far and wide as a man upright in all his dealings and is rated "good" as a merchant in Bradstreet's.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900