The Linton Family of Clinton County, Ohio

SETH LINTON, farmer, P. 0. Wilmington, was born in Union Township, Octotober 10, 1812. He was the son of Nathan and Rachel (Smith) Linton. For the genealogy of the family, the reader is referred to the sketch of James Linton, deceased, in the biographies of Vernon Township. Our subject’s mother was born January 18, 1790, and died April 4, 1859. She was the daughter of Seth Smith, who was born May 19, 1761, and died April 1, 1837, and Elizabeth (Littler) Smith, his wife who was born April 9, 1769, and died July 7, 1842. The father of the latter was Samuel Littler, who immigrated to America from England with William Penn. Our subject grew up in the early days of Clinton County, and is well versed in its pioneer history. He was educated in the subscription schools of his day and in a school taught by his father in the milkhouse on their farm. After leaving school he assisted his father on the farm, and when still young bought 200 acres of land for $5 per acre. This land he improved and afterward sold for $50 per acre. He early commenced keeping a nursery, and that business has since occupied a large share of his life. He now owns 233 acres of land on which is located a nursery consisting of the best varieties of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubbery. He also owns an orange grove of ten acres in Florida. He was married, September 21, 1836, to Sarah Ann Moore, at Lytle’s Creek- Meeting. She was born in this county December 7, 1819, and was a daughter of Joshua Moore, who was born in Chester County, Penn., October 10, 1791, and died February 7, 1874, and Nancy (Stratton) Moore, his wife, who was born November 16, 1797, and died December 19, 1881. They were married at Springfield Meeting and had twelve children, nine boys and three girls. By his marriage, Mr. Linton has had six children, viz.: Nathan M., born March 18, 1838, an attorney, and now a member of the Ohio Legislature; Nancy L., born January 3, 1840, and now the wife of Thomas

McMillan, a farmer; Rachel, born October 8, 1841, and now the wife of E. Snowden, a farmer; Joshua, born April 2, 1843, and married to Olive Hadley, by whom he has had six children, three living; Oliver, born August 5, 1845, and married to Sarah Hiat, by whom he has two children; Amanda, born November 11, 1848, and now the wife of Jacob Lewis, a farmer. Mrs. Linton is an ordained minister of the Society of Friends (Orthodox), and attends each yearly meeting held in the United States, with the exception of one held in Kansas. She has traveled many thousand miles during her ministry, always paying her own expenses. She is well known through Clinton County, and the State of Ohio, and highly respected by one and all. Mr. Linton has been very liberal to his children, giving each a large sum of money when attaining their majority. He is strongly opposed to the use of tobacco and all intoxicants, and is in politics a Prohibitionist. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends, as have been his ancestors for two centuries.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMBS LINTON (deceased). The first of the ancestors of James Linton who came to America was John Linton, a son of Sir Roger Linton, of Yorkshire, England. Sir Roger had six sons, named as follows: John, Jacob, Samuel, Benjamin, Rodger and James. John Linton, the direct ancestor of our subject, was born in Yorkshire, England. He was sent by his father to Oxford College, where he was educated for the ministry. At this time, Quakers were being persecuted on account of their religious views, and young Linton was sent with a company of soldiers to attend one of the Quaker meetings, to ascertain if anything was said against the Church of England, and, if he thought necessary, to break up the meeting. He was so impressed with the simplicity, earnestness and faith exhibited, that he became a convert to their religion, and, on this becoming known to his family, he was expelled from his father’s house. Reared as he had been in luxury, it was no small matter to be thrown on his own resources to obtain a living. But with the same indomitable will which induced him to give up home and friends for what his conscience told him was right, he set out for London, where he resolutely began to learn the carpenter’s trade by which to earn a subsistence. He was there married, in 1691, to Rebecca Relf. After accepting the teachings of the Friends Meetings, he engaged in the ministry for a number of years. Desiring more freedom and the privilege of worshiping God as their consciences dictated, he, with his wife, came to America and landed at Philadelphia November 8, 1692. He was an associate of William Penn both before and after leaving England. John Linton and his wife Mary (Relf) Linton had four children — Mary, Joseph, Benjamin and John. Benjamin, the third child, was born in Philadelphia October 6, 1703. He early learned the weaver’s trade, which business he subsequently carried on quite extensively for many years. He was an able and learned man and noted astronomer, to which science he had devoted much time and study. He was twice married; the first time to Elizabeth White on the 25th of March, 1727. She was born September 9, 1705, and they had two children — John and Mary; the mother died January 25, 1732. His second wife was Jane Cowgal, who was born July 3, 1708. By the last marriage, there were eight children — Lucia, Benjamin, Joshua, Sarah, Samuel, Jane, Daniel and Hezekiah. The fifth child, Samuel, was born in Bucks County, Penn., December 17, 1741. He was reared on a farm and also learned the weaver’s trade, and was married on May 10, 1775, to Elizabeth Harvey, who was born March 8, 1748. Their children were Samuel, Nathan, David, Jane and Elizabeth (twins) and James. Early in the year 1802, Samuel Linton and his family started from their home in Pennsylvania with a wagon, ou which 'was carried the family and their effects, for Ohio — then the “ far West.” They came over tho mountains to Pittsburgh, where Mr. Linton bought a raft, on which they floated with their goods down the Ohio River to Cincinnati; thence they came by wagon to Waynesville, Warren County, where he purchased a house and lot and followed his trade of weaver. In 1804, he bought 500 acres of land on Todd’s Fork, three miles northwest of Wilmington, where he located with his family. He was a man of sterling worth and a member of the Friends’ Society.

Nathan Linton, the second son of Samuel, was born on the banks of the Delaware River, in Bucks County, Penn., January 17, 1778. When the territory now comprising Clinton County was organized as a county, he was appointed County Surveyor, which office he held for about twenty years. He surveyed the townships of Clinton and Fayette Counties, and surveyed and laid out the village of Wilmington, and was a standard authority during his lifetime pertaining to the boundaries and divisions of lands. The legal titles to their lands which the citizens of this county enjoy today are owing in a great degree to the care used in making and keeping a correct record of the surveys made by him. He was enterprising and progressive in all things pertaining to the public welfare, as is noted in other places in this volume. He was among the first to introduce and encourage the growing of fine wool, and the propagating of fine fruit. This was the nucleus from which Clinton County gained its prominence to-day for wool and fruit. He was a strict member of the Quaker Church, upright in his dealings and temperate in his habits. It was customary in early times to supply harvest hands with liquor; this he firmly set his face against, although the hands threatened to leave or furnish it at their own expense, but he would not permit them to bring it into the field on any terms. He carried the day, and they found they could work without the aid of whisky. In erecting schoolhouses and assisting the cause of education, he was always foremost. In the opening of the highways of his neighborhood and the construction of turnpikes, he took an active part, and he assisted liberally in the construction of one railroad. Had all the citizens been equally liberal, there would have been no occasion for the expensive mode of taxation for such purposes. He died February 11, 1858, honored and respected by all worthy people. Among his descendants is the Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, Member of Congress, a son of his daughter Elizabeth; another grandson, Nathan Linton, is a member of the Ohio Legislature. Nathan Linton and his wife Rachel (Smith) Linton had a family of twelve children — Elizabeth, Abi,

Samuel, Seth, David, James, Mary, Nathan, Benjamin, Cyrus, Ruth and Jane.

James Linton, whose name heads this sketch, was the sixth child of Nathan and Rachel Linton. He was born January 17, 1817, on the old homestead, three miles north of Wilmington; here he passed his youth. He was sent by his parents to Oxford College, Ohio, where he was educated. He was married, September 21, 1843, to Miss Ann M., daughter of John and Ruth (Hale) Hadley, at Clarksville, where his wife was born November 4, 1822. Their children are Mary Emily, Alfred A., John H., William C., R. Ida, James E. and Charles C. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Linton moved to Clarksville, and assisted his father-in-law, John Hadley, in the pork-packing business, in which they were engaged a number of years. Probably no man in Clinton County was more largely identified with its business interests than was James Linton during his lifetime. For business energy, tact and financial ability and integrity, he had few equals He at one time operated one store at Sligo and one at Clarksville, dealing quite extensively in wool for shipment to Boston, and attending to large farming interests. Although having so many and varied enterprises on hand at the same time, they were all managed with success. He owned what was known as the “ Yeasel farm,” two miles east of Clarksville, on the Goshen pike; on this he erected a fine brick house and a saw-mill. He exchanged this for the farm where his widow and family now live, in Clarksville. He took a great interest in all enterprises for the promotion of education. He took the contract for and built the Clarksville Graded School Building. This was in 1868. He was a Director and member of the Board of Education for twenty years in Clarksville. He was identified with nearly every public interest and improvement in this part of the county. Among the marks of his handiwork is the bridge across Cowan’s Creek, near the village, the abutments built in 1867 to the bridge across Todd’s Fork, in the edge of the village; he also acted as Superintendent in the construction of several other bridges. He also engineered several of the pikes in this and Warren Counties. In company with his father-in-law, John Hadley, they took the contract for and graded eight miles of what was then known as the Cincinnati, Circleville & Zanesville Railroad, commonly known as the Muskingum Valley Railroad, which they pursued until the death of Mr. Linton, which occurred July 28, 1881. Thus passed away one honored by all. The poor knew of his unostentatious charity; the youth around him enjoyed better education because of his care; the farmers availed themselves of his intelligent improvements, and society around him was called and strengthened by his teaching and example. He was of those who exalt the character of the American people, and who make free institutions possible. He was a worthy descendant of old John Linton, whose first important act was one of self-abnegation, which common men would denounce as a wrong and despise as a folly, but in the simple and most expressive phrase of the Friends, his descendants have continued to “mind the light” and “walk in the truth;” have increased in numbers, and abounded in all those things that make life really worth living.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CYRUS LINTON, grocer and pioneer dealer in grain and coal in Wilmington, was born on Todd’s Fork, in Union Township, April 17, 1825. His father, Nathan Liuton, was a native of Pennsylvania. In ISO 1. he visited Ohio, and in his wanderings over the State visited what is now Clinton County. lie was favorably impressed with the appearance of the country “ thereabouts,” and its few but sociable inhabitants, and the following year removed his family to Waynesville. In 1303 or 180.5, he removed to Union Township. He vTas a weaver by trade, also a surveyor, and for many years served the county in the latter capacity. He died on the old homestead in 1855. mourned by a host of life-long friends and acquaintances. Mr. Linton’s mother was Rachel Smith, a native of Virginia or Tennessee. She departed this life in 1859. The subject of this sketch was reared a “ farmer’s boy” and resided on the old homestead until the spring of 18G4. He then removed to Wilmington, where he has since resided. He was probably among the first to deal largely in coal and grain in the village, and his operations have always met with reasonable success. He also owns a grocery store near the depot of the C. & M. V. R. R. On September 15, 1870, Mr. Linton's son, Samuel S., was admitted to a full partnership in the business, and the firm name has since been C. Linton & Son. Mr. Linton has always manifested a lively interest in the welfare of his native county, and has filled the greater portion of the elective offices in the township, being politically a Republican. He served as President of the Agricultural Board of Clinton County, four years; one term as County Commissioner; several terms as Trustee; and eight years as Councilman of Wilmington. He was married, in 1847, to Lydia Harvey, a native of this county. One child was given them — Samuel S. Mrs. Linton died in the spring of 1852, and in the fall of 1853, Mr. Linton married Eliza, daughter of Jonathan Hadley, an honored pioneer of Clinton County. Three children were sent to bless this union — Olive, Lydia and Edwin C. Mr. Linton’s wife and family have birthrights in the Society of Friends. Mr. Linton is the owner of the old homestead, in Union Township, consisting of 123 acres, valued at 860 per acre.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALFRED A. LINTON, merchant, Clarksville, son of James and Ann M. (Hadley) Linton, was born in this township May 15, 1848. He was reared on a farm till eighteen years of age, when he became a clerk for his father, who had a general store in Clarksville. After clerking several years, he was admitted as a partner in the firm known as J. & A. A. Linton. They continued together three years, when James, the senior member, retired, giving his son, John II., his interest in the business; the firm was then known as Linton Brothers three years, when Alfred bought his brother’s interest February 1, 1877, and has continued alone since. He has a fine brick store, corner of Main and Second streets, two stories, 80x22 feet, slate roof,, which is the finest building in the village, where he carries a well-selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, notions, etc., valued at $8,000. JHe was married in Richmond, Ind., April 23, 1873, to Henrietta, daughter of Allen arid Ann Hazard. They have three children — James C., Leroy and Benjamin B. Mr. Linton has a fine brick residence on Second street.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN H. LINTON, merchant, Clarksville, son of James and Anna M. (Hadley) Linton, was born in this township, near Clarksville, April 22, 1852. When quite small, his parents moved into the village, where his father was engaged in the mercantile business a number of years. John H. attended school in the village till twenty years of age, and at the age of twenty-two he received an interest in his father’s general store, where he remained three years, and then engaged in farming five years. January 17, 1882, he bought a stock of groceries corner Pike and Second streets, and March 1 he removed to his father’s old stand nearly opposite, where he carries a $2,000 stock of staple and fancy groceries, produce, Queeusware, glassware, etc., and is already doing a good, flourishing business. He was married near Clarksville, October 28, 1875, to Carrie M., daughter of John L. and Elizabeth A. Davis, born on the farm where her parents now live, one-half mile south of Clarksville. Mr. Linton is a member of the Friends’ Church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRED WELDEN LINTON.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Ohio. Mr. Linton's mother was born on December 13, 1870, in Adams township, and died on November 30, 1912.

Walter Linton is the son of Joshua and Olive (Hadley) Linton. Joshua Linton was the son of Seth and Sarah Ann (Moore) Linton, the former of whom was the son of Nathan and Rachel ( Smith) Linton. Nathan was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Harvey) Linton and Samuel was the son of Benjamin uiid Jane (Cowgal) Linton. Benjamin was the son of John and Mary (Relf) Linton. John Llutou was the son of Sir Roger Linton, of Yorkshire, England.

Sir Roger Linton had six sons: John. Jacob. Samuel, Benjamin, Roger and James. John was born at Yorkshire. England, and sent by his father to Oxford College, where he was educated for the ministry. Sent with a company of soldiers to attend one of the Quaker meetings to ascertain if anything was said against the Church of England, John Linton was so impressed by the simplicity, earnestness and faith of the worshippers that he became a convert, after which he was expelled from his father's house. He learned the carpenter's trade In London and was there married to Mary Relf. In 1691. After preaching for a number of years, he and his wife came to America, landing at Philadelphia on November,S, 1(592. Before leaving Englnnd. he had been an associate of William Penn. John and Mary (Relf) Linton had four child ret.: Mary. Joseph, Benjamin and John. Benjamin, the third child, was born in Philadelphia. October 6, 1703. He was a weaver by trade and an able and learned astronomer. By his first marriage to Elizabeth White. March 25. 1727, there were two children. John and Mary. The mother of these children was born on September 0, 1705, and died on January 25, 1752. He next married Jane Cowgal, who was born on July 3, 1708. By this marriage there were eight children: Lucia, Benjamin. Joshua, Surah. Samuel, Jane. Daniel and Hezekiah. Samuel was born In Bucks county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1741. He was a farmer and weaver and was married on May 10. 1775. to Elizabeth Harvey, who was born on March 8. 1748. They had six children: Samuel, Nathan. David. Jane and Elizabeth (twins), and James. Early In 1802, Samuel Linton and his family started from their Pennsylvania home towards the "far West." They floated down the Ohio river to Cincinnati and came by wagon to Wayuesvllle. in Warren county, where he followed his trade of weaver. In 1804 he bought five hundred acres of land on Todd's fork, three miles northwest of Wilmington. He was a member of the Society of Frleuds.

Nathan Linton, the second son of Samuel, was born In Bucks county. Pennsylvania. January 17, 1778. He was surveyor at the time Clinton county was organized and held this office for twenty years. He surveyed (Hinton and Fayette counties' townships and laid out the village of Wilmington. He died on February 11. 1858, honored and respected by all worthy people. Benjamin Butlerworth, a member of Congress, was a son of his daughter. Elizabeth. Another grandson, Nathan, was a member of the Ohio Legislature. Nation and his wife, Rachel Smith, had twelve children: Elizabeth. Abl. Samuel. Seth. Dwvld. James, Mary, Nathan, Benjamin, Cyrus. Ruth and Jane.

Seth, the fourth child born to Nathan and Rachel Linton and the great-grandfather of Fred Welden Linton, was born on October 10, 1812. in Union township. His mother was born on January IS. 1790, and died on April 4. 1850. She was the daughter of Seth Smith, born on May 19. 1761, and who died on April 1, 1837, and Elizabeth Littler, who was born on April 0, 1760. and who died on July 7. 1842. The father of the latter was Samuel Littler, who emigrated from England to America with William Penn. Setb Linton was married on September 26, 1836, to Sarah Ann Moore, of Ly tie's creek meeting. She was born in Clinton county, December 7. 1819. the daughter of Joshua Moore, who was born on October 10. 1791, In Chester county, Pennsylvania, and who died on February 7, 1874, and Nancy Stratton. who was born on November 16, 1797. and died on December 19. 1881. By this marriage there were six children: Nathan M.. born on March 18, 183S, a lawyer and former member of the Ohio Legislature; Nancy L..

January 3. 1840, who run rr led Thomas McMillan, u farmer; Rachel, October 8, 1841, who married E. Snowden; Joshua. April 2. 1843, who married Olive Hadley; Oliver, August 5, 1845, who married Sarah Hlntt; and Amanda, November 11. 1848, who married Jacob Lewis, a farmer.

Joshua Linton, the grandfather of Fred who was born in Clinton county, obtained little education. He grew up ou the farm and was married in September, 1804, to Olive Hadley, the daughter of Joshua and Kuth (Edwards) Hadley, the former of whom was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, and who came to Ohio with his parents when he was twelve years old. His im rents were William and Sarah (Clark) Hadley. Willinm Hadley laid out the town of Clarksville. in what is now Vernon township, Clinton county, and named it for his wife's maiden name. He was a devout Quaker and died of heart failure while going to the monthly meeting of the Friends church. Ruth Edwards was the daughter of Archibald and Nancy Edwards, who were early settlers in Union township, having come here from North Carolina. In 1914 Joshua and Olive Linton celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. After his marriage, he had lived on his grandfather's farm near Clarksville in Clinton county for five years and afterwards obtained land in Union township, northwest of Wilmington, and lived there until 1802, when lie retired and moved to Wilmington, where he and his wife still live on West Locust street. He still owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres In Union township. He and his wife are lifelong members of the Friends church.

The parents of Gertrude (Hadley) Linton and the maternal grandparents of Fred W. Linton were Micajah and Ellen (Cowgill) Hadley. the latter of whom was a native of Highland county, Ohio, and is still living. The former, who was a farmer in Adams township, where he owned two hundred and fifty acres of land, died In May. 1808. He as the son of Ell and Abigail (Green) Hadley. the former of whom was born on September 27, 18(>4, and died on November 20. 1854. and the latter of whom died on April 30, 1837. at the age of twenty-eight. She was the daughter of Reuben and Rhoda Green. Ell Hadley was the son of John and Lydia (Harvey) Hadley. the former of whom was born on September 23. 1770. In Chatham county. North Carolina, the son of Joshua and Ruth Hadley. Lydia Harvey was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Harvey, of Orange county. North Carolina, who came to Ohio In 1soi. anil settled near Todd's fork. They were married in Crane's creek monthly meeting. North Carolina, in 1704.

Walter Linton, the father of Fred W.. grew up in Union township, and after his marriage lived ou his mother-in-law's farm until lSItO. when he purchased seventy-five acres in Union township on the Waynesville pike. There he built a fine home, which is unoccupied by the subject of this sketch. In 1013 the father moved to Norwalk. Ohio, where he is engaged in selling silos. He and his family are members of the Friends church. His wife died in 1012, and in January, 101.1, he married Mndora Kelly. He is an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle and for fourteen years was in the dairy business. He and his first wife had two children: Fred Welden. and one daughter. Eleanor, born on August 11. 1K04, who Is now a student at Cincinnati University. Walter Linton is an ardent Republican.

Fred Welden Linton received his education In the public school a of Adams and Union townships. Early in life he attended Wilmington College and was graduated from that institution In 1!MK). Subsequently, he worked one year lu the West on the Sante Fo railroad as a civlf engineer, but In 1010 came back to his father's farm and for two years rented a farm near Cuba. Ohio. In 1014 he purchased his father's farm of seventy-five acres in Union township and here he now lives.

On June 2\ 1013, Fred W. Linton was married to Louise Truitt. who was born in Union township. Clinton county. Ohio, the daughter of J. F. and Sue Truitt. the former of whom is a farmer of this township.

Mr. Linton is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Central Christian church of Wilmington. Very few young men of the present generation in Clinton county are more enterprising, more capable or more jmpuhir than Fred W. Linton. Few young men have the inspiration of a more worthy and eminent ancestry than he. Ir may be truly said that he Is fulfilling the natural obligations of the young man who Is well born, ami faithfully discharging all of the duties of life.

Frank B. Pond is an enterprising and successful young farmer of Union township, Clinton county, Ohio, who was born on March 21. 1*77, at New Autloch, in Green township, Clinton county. He is the son of William A. and Alice (Teller) Pond, the former of whom was born on March 20. 1852. and the latter of whom was born at Iocust Grove, in Adams county. Ohio.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES W. LINTON, farmer, P. 0. New Burlington. Allan Linton, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born January 27, 1807, in Warren County, Ohio. He was the son of David and Lctitia Linton. When about seven years of age, he was left an orphan, and was taken into the family of Mr. George Arnold, with whom he lived until he arrived at the years of manhood. He passed his youthful days on a farm; received a fair English education, by the acquirement of which he was enabled to teach school for several terms. In 1828, October 30, he married Miss Elizabeth Ragin, by whom he had six children, five of whom are still living. She departed this life October 9, 1839. By his second marriage he was united to Miss Melissa Conger, by whom he had four children, of whom three are still living. About the year 1829, he purchased 294 acres of land in Chester Township, Clinton Co. Ohio, and by subsequent purchases bad at one time in his possession about 430 acres. He served as Justice of the Peace in Chester Township. In politics, his views were with the Republican party, and he was at one time a strong abolitionist. He was a man of considerable energy and perseverance, and firmness of purpose, and died January, 1875. James W. Linton, the subject of our sketch and son of Allan Linton, was born April 23, 1843, in Clinton County, Ohio; was reared on a farm, and received a fair English education. On'Septernber 18, 187S, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Mary A. Bailey, born August 28, 1847, and daughter of William H. and Rachel Bailey. Mrs. Linton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady of superior intellectual attainments. He is the owner of about fifty-eight acres of land, and well worthy of representation in the history of our county.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.