William Bebb (1802 - 1873)

Born 8 Dec 1802 in Paddy's Run, Butler, Ohio, United States

Husband of Sarah (Shuck) Bebb — married 16 Oct 1824 in Butler, Ohio

Descendants

Died 23 Oct 1873 at age 70 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Preceded by
Mordecai Bartley

19th Governor of Ohio
1846-1849

Succeeded by
Seabury Ford

Biography

William Bebb is Notable.

William Bebb was an Illinoisan.

William Bebb was born in Paddy's Run, a Welsh Settlement in Butler County, Ohio. His parents, Edward Bebb and Margaret Roberts, were among the first settlers in the area.

He was educated locally and, by the age of 20, decided he wanted to teach so he obtained a job at a school in North Bend, Ohio. It was in North Bend that William met Sarah Shuck, also a teacher, and the two married on 16 Oct 1824. ^[1]

They lived in Butler County, Ohio. ^[2][3]

Bebb and his wife founded a school on his father's farm they called Sycamore Grove School for Boys. It was a success and among their students was the future governor, William Dennison.

During this time, William studied law and he and his wife, Sarah had 5 children:

1. Eliza Ann Bebb 1825–1912; m. John Parker Reynolds 1842
2. Edward Bebb 1828–1895
3. Michael Shuck Bebb 1833–1895
4. Mary Bebb 1839-1893
5. Martha Bebb 1842-1865
6. Sarah Bebb 1846–1848

William Bebb passed the bar in 1832. He closed the school and began practicing law in Hamilton County, Ohio first in the law office of John Woods and then as the junior partner of John M. Millikin. As lawyers often do, Bebb became interested in politics and joined the Whig Party. In 1846, the Whigs nominated him as their candidate for governor. Banking and currency and taxation were major issues, with Bebb favoring the continuation of the Kelley Bank Bill] with only slight amendments. He ran against Democrat David Tod and won, becoming Ohio's 19th Governor.

Governor Bebb's term expired in December 1848, but his administration was continued until January 22, 1849 because of a delay in organizing the two houses of the assembly and in qualifying his successor.

In 1850 he was practicing law in Butler, Ohio. ^[4]

In 1860 they were in Tennessee. ^[5]

In 1870 they were living in Rockford, Illinois, where he died in 1873. ^[6]

The Trial of William Bebb

In the month of May, 1857, Michael Bebb, the second son of Gov. Bebb, had married a wife and brought her home to his father's house. On the night of the 18th, a company of young men, to the number of twelve, collected cow-bells, tin horns and other noise making instruments, together with a number of guns; and about 11 o'clock opened up a charivari, with cheers, ringing of bells, blowing of horns, rattling of pans and discharging of guns.

The family of Gov. Bebb had no previous intimation of what was intended, and were very much alarmed. The Governor took a double-barrel fowling-piece in his hands and went out, and ordered the rioters off his premises. They may not have heard him, by reason of the noise they were making, being in full concert when he went out. Be that as it may, they gave no heed to the warning. He then discharged one barrel of his gun at too great a distance to do any serious execution, and again warned them to be gone. All the company except four retreated. These four made a rush toward the Governor, apparently for the purpose of seizing him. He retreated a few paces, and, turning round, shot the foremost man dead on the spot.

The next morning he assembled the sheriff and other ministers of the law; showed them what was done; furnished them with the names of all the parties, so far as he had ascertained them in the meantime; and demanded an investigation. An investigation was had before the examining court, and the Governor was discharged.

Some months afterward, when he was in the city of Cincinnati on business, he learned through the newspapers that the Grand Jury of Winnebago County had indicted him for manslaughter. He immediately telegraphed the sheriff of the county, informing him where he was and when he would be home. He went home, surrendered himself and gave bail for his appearance.

The trial of the case was set for the 4th of February, 1858, and, in addition to the able council at home, he added the Hon. Thomas Corwin and Judge William Johnston, of Ohio, who were present, conducted the examination, and argued the case to the jury. The argument for the defense was opened by Gov. Corwin, in a speech replete with wit and eloquence. Immense numbers of people crowded to hear the trial, from various motives; chiefly to learn judicially how much an unoffending citizen might lawfully do in defense of his habituation and household when menaced by lawless assemblies.

The result, it is believed, was satisfactory to all well-disposed persons. Gov. Bebb was acquitted, notwithstanding an able and learned effort on the part of the People, in which everything was done, that talent and industry could do, to secure a conviction. — William Johnston, 1887^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ "Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDF4-222 : 25 March 2020), William Bebb, 1825.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGN-1VM : 20 February 2021), William Bebb, Morgan, Butler, Ohio, United States; citing 166, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 127; FHL microfilm 337,938.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRF-QZL : 8 December 2020), William Bebb, Hamilton, Butler, Ohio, United States; citing p. 162, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX3J-6M3 : 21 December 2020), William Bebb, Fairfield, Butler, Ohio, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8TG-ZT9 : 18 February 2021), Wm Bebb, 1860.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64M-VJY : 28 May 2021), William Bebb, 1870.
7. ↑ The People vs. William Bebb

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #21709: accessed 06 February 2022), memorial page for William Bebb (8 Oct 1802–23 Oct 1873), citing Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Find a Grave .
• "The Wales-Ohio Project, William Bebb"
• "Ohio's Governor William Bebb"
• Johnston, William, Arguments to Courts and Juries, 1846-1874
• William Bebb on Wikipedia