William A. Saum
There never was a time in the history of the world when the farmer was not the most important factor in the life of the nations. Holding, as he does, the life of the people in his hands, he is the very bulwark of every nation in the world. With the introduction of labor-saving machinery the life of the farmer is fast losing most of those objections which it once had. No more is the farmer compelled to rise early in the morning and work late at night; the farmer of today can get more work done in one day than his grandfather could in a week. A modern reaper can do as much work in one day as two men can do in two weeks and with infinitely less labor and, at the same time, in a much more efficient manner. Farming under modern-day conditions is really an enjoyable occupation and it is gratifying to note that so many of our best young men are turning to this time-honored occupation for a livelihood. Among the progressive farmers of Fayette county who are fully abreast of the times is William A. Saum, of Perry township.
William A. Saum, the son of Solomon and Samantha (Parrett) Saum, was born April 22, 1865, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio. Solomon Saum was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Winegardner) Saum and was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1841. Jacob was born in Pennsylvania of German descent and was one of the early settlers in Perry county, Ohio. Solomon Saum was reared to manhood in Perry county and came to Fayette county after his marriage in 1865, where he lived until his death. Samantha Parrett, the wife of Solomon Saum, was the daughter and only child of Henry and Sarah (Glaze) Parrett, and was born in Fayette county. Three children were born to Solomon Saum and wife: William A., Charles C. and Elmer H,
Mr. Saum received all of his education in the district schools of his home township and remained at home until his marriage. At the age of thirty-one he married and began farming for himself on his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Perry township. He has placed many improvements on the farm since he bought it and by a system of scientific crop rotation brought the farm to a high state of productivity. He raises excellent crops and gives considerable attention to the breeding of a high grade of live stock.
Mr. Saum was married April 23, 1896, to Mary Dowler, the daughter of Charles and Josephine (Baxley) Dowler. To this union there has been born two children, Ralphord H. and Reva L. Mr. Saum and his wife are stanch members of the Methodist Episcopal church and deeply interested in all church and Sunday school work.
Politically, Mr. Saum is a Democrat, and, while interested in good government, has never been a candidate for any public ofhce, preferring to devote all of his time and energy to his agricultural labors. He gives his unreserved support to all worthy measures which are launched in his community for the general welfare of his fellow citizens.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)