Biographies
MRS. EMILY BARTHOLOMEW, Springfield. Mrs. Emily Bartholomew, nee Ebersole, is a native of Clark County; her father, John Ebersole, of Virginia. In his school days, Mr. Ebersole walked three miles to the nearest school, his path leading over the celebrated natural bridge. In early youth, he removed with his parents to Ohio; in 1819, married Miss Sally Keifer, of Sharpsburg, Md., who, with her parents, came to Ohio in childhood; after marriage, they went on horseback to his home in Cincinnati. In 1822, they removed to his forest home in German Township, this county, where he built one of the finest hewed-log houses of that day and generation, every log, plank, beam and panel passing through his skilled hands. Of their family of one son and four daughters, Dr. E. P. Ebersole has been for years the leading physician in Preble County, and the daughters reside in this and adjoining counties, and have all had experience as teachers in this county. From 12 to 15 years of age, Emily was with relatives in Troy, Miami Co., receiving careful training in the family, church and school; when 16, she received from Isaac H. Lancey, her first certificate as teacher, and her first efforts were in old log houses, teaching nine hours a day, thirteen weeks to a quarter, and receiving the princely remuneration of $8 per month. In some districts, almost any books were thought suitable for "readers," Robinson Crusoe being quite a favorite in some localities. She spent eight years teaching in the county and attending the Ohio Conference High School, during which time great progress was made in the methods of and facilities for education; feminine ability was recognized, new and better houses and books were freely provided, fewer hours required and better wages paid. In 1852, she accepted a position in the Springfield Female Seminary, remaining five years. In 1859, she married Dr. J. Bartholomew, of Butte Co., Cal., a native of Ohio, a graduate of Dennison University, in which he remained a number of years after graduation as instructor, preparing, meanwhile, for the practice of medicine; in 1850, he drove an ox team across the plains to California, acting as Captain and physician of his company. Soon after marriage, they sailed from New York for the Pacific Coast; the Doctor's death occurred four years thereafter, and Mrs. Bartholomew remained four years longer, and, in 1867, she, with her two little sons, Frank and Ralph, took the steamship Constitution, bound for New York, arriving in safety after a voyage of twenty-six days. Since 1868, she has resided permanently in this city, and her sons are each pursuing a college course. It is appropriate to make in this connection passing mention of Miss May Ebersole, a most estimable aunt of Mrs. Bartholomew, who commenced her life-work as a teacher in 1825; in 1833, she built the house still standing on the northwest corner of Columbia and Factory streets, and opened a day and boarding school for girls. The greater part of her life was devoted to instructing the young, and her zeal and earnestness in this direction were remarkable. She often remarked that the material she handled was imperishable, and that her work would be completed in eternity, and that therefore her vocation was especially dear to her. She died at an advanced age, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
From History of Clark County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co. 1881. Page 788-789