Posted on: Guernsey Co. Oh Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Oh/GuernseyObits/10126 Surname: SEVERN, BRANIGER, WHITACRE, SPECK, MASON ------------------------- >From the Cambridge "Daily Jeffersonian" (Guernsey Co., OH) William B. Severn was born in Cambridge, Ohio, February 16, 1844, and his boyhood days were spent in this city. He came to Birmingham in 1861, having been employed as a clerk for the firm of Craig and Foy, with whom he remained until 1868, when he removed to Westchester, where he established himself in the mercantile business. After a lapse of four years he returned to Birmingham , to become the proprietor of W.B. Severn's General Store in which capacity he was actively engaged until a short time prior to his death, when failing health made it imperative that he withdraw from actual participation in the business which had engrossed his attention for almost half a century. Mr. Severn united with the M.E. church at Westchester in 1870; later transferring his membership to the Birmingham M.E. church of which organization he remained a member until his death. He was married on March 27, 1867 to Mary A. Braniger of Birmingham, and to this union the following children were born: Frank R. Severn of Birmingham; Miss Ola Severn of the home; H.A. Severn and J.H. Severn of Colorado, and Mrs. H.A. Whitacre of New York City. Besides his immediate family Mr. Severn is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Oscar Severn, of Summerton; J.M. Severn and J.F. Severn of Cambridge; Charles Severn of Columbus; Mrs. A.Y. Speck, of Birmingham; Miss Kate Severn, of Cambridge; and Mrs. John Mason, of Indian Camp. Mr. Severn had been afflicted for some time with a hardening of the arteries. A few days before his death he rapidly grew worse and the family was summoned to his bedside but their tender care was unavailing and on the evening of November 29, 1919, he gently passed from the sleep of life to the sleep of death. Mr. Severn was one of the most widely known and universally respected men of the community where he had so long resided. His unswerving integrity, unfailing courtesy and genial disposition have won for him the respect and admiration of a wide circle of friends who join the bereaved loved ones to mourn his loss and revere his memory. Funeral services were Wednesday, December 3rd in the bormingham M.E. church by Rev. J.C. Wilson of Buffalo, a former pastor and interment was made in the Hopewell cemetery.