Samuel Reeder Battin

As printed in 1902

SAMUEL REEDER. BATTIN.

Among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of this section of the country is Samuel Reeder Battin, who since 1874, has been a resident of Clark county and has borne an important part in the development and progress of agricultural interests here. He traces his ancestry back to an early epoch in the history of this county, being descended from Quaker forefathers. The traditions of the family state that the Battins were originally of Welsh extraction, and that the name was originally spelled Batten. The founder of the family in America crossed the Atlantic soon after the landing of William Penn. Our subject's great-grandparents, Richard and Elizabeth (James) Battin, settled in the upper part of Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, and there followed agricultural pursuits, in peace with mankind, living in faithful accord with their religious views, as they were members of the Society of Friends.

Their son, John Battin, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born near Wilmington, Delaware, on the 13th of

June, 1767, and life learned the ¿cooper's trade. On reaching manhood’s estate he removed to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and throughout life followed his trade in connection with farming, finding coopering quite profitable at that time. From the Keystone state he removed to Stark county, Ohio, and later to Colunbiana county, being one of its early settlers. There he died in 1847. He married Ann Raley and to them were born ten children. At the time of their death the combined ages of these children were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, making an average of seventy-seven years. They were thus noted for their longevity and well fitted to become the progenitors of such sturdy men and women as were required to take the work of the progress of this great country. And it is due to such a type of civilization that America stands today as she does— foremost among the nations of the world. It was the possession of such strong traits of character, courage to overcome and endure the hardships and trials of frontier life while this country was yet in its undeveloped state, that has led to the establishment of the grand industrial institutions of which the United States may well be proud. The brave spirits who braved the dangers of the ocean voyage, which was then not the easy and comfortable one of to-day, brought this country the best elements of manhood and womanhood and well may we be grateful to them for the privileges and opportunities of this land of the free which we to-day enjoy as the result of their toil.

David Battin, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1803, and as a child accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. On. reaching years of maturity he bought a in early tract of heavily timbered land in the midst of the forest, which he cleared and transformed into a good farm. As his two sons grew older they added ta the farm, more than doubling the original number of acres. Throughout his active business life the father followed farming and stock-raising, and becáme quite a prominent breeder of fine sheep. In early manhood he married Sara Ann Reeder, a daughter of Samuel and Ann (Malone) Reeder, who were among the pioneers of this state, having come here in 1806 from near Westtown Boarding School, Chester county, Pennsylvania. They were also members of the Society of Friends. David Battin died in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 6, 1877, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife, who survived him about six years, was eighty at the time of her death.

Samuel R. Battin of this review was born in Columbiana county, March 3, 1829, and was there reared upon a farm, where in the summer seasons he became accustomed to the work of the field and meadow, while through the winter he acquired a good practical education in the common schools. When twenty years of age he ‘began working on a farm at ten dollars per month, but later turned his attention to the sawmill business, purchasing a half interest in a mill, for which he paid what he could and gave a note for the balance to his uncle, who had’ faith in his honesty. Subsequently he was engaged in farming in Columbiana county until 1874, when he took up his above in Clark county, purchasing one hundred acres of land, to which he has since added, so that he now has one hundred and eighty-three acres. He has made most of the improvements upon the place, which is a rich and arable tract under a high state of cultivation.

A part of his farm is devoted to pasturage, for he is engaged in stock-raising, having for many years paid especial attention to the raising and breeding of fine wool sheep. He has also been interested in shorthorn cattle, and is quite widely known as a progressive agriculturist and breeder of fine stock.

Mr. Battin was one of the charter members of the Clark County Farmers’ Mutual Protection & Aid Association, of which he was adjuster for many years, and now holds - the office of president. This company does an extensive business in insuring farm property in Clark and adjoining counties, and now carries nearly one and a half million dollars of risks, its membership being over eight hundred.

In 1853 Mr. Battin was united in marriage to Miss Lydda Ann Winder, also a native of Columbiana county, and a daughter of Joseph and Efphama (Yates) Winder, of Carroll county, Ohio. By this marriage were born four children: Efphama Ann married John Cole, of Fairfield county, and died, leaving one child, Harry Battin Cole. Dr, David Wilmot Battin, a resident of Clarksville, Iowa, married Jura Cubbison and they have. one child, Edna Cubbison Battin.. Charles Sumner Battin, a florist and plumber of South Charleston, Ohio, wedded Mary Ann Mather and they have two children, Leonard Winslow and Jessie. Amanda died at the age of three years. -The wife and mother died December 24, 1864, and Mr. Battin was again married, June 7, 1866, his second union being with Miss Emily Tomlinson, of Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel S. and Rachel (Street) Tomlinson. Four children blessed this marriage: Orlando T., who assists his father in farming and stock-raising, married Esther Matthews and they have one daughter, Edith

W. Kersey Raley is now engaged in the building of electric railways. Martha Alma is at home. Mary Alice is the wife of Walter Sanders Boone, whose home is near Richmond, Indiana.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Battin remain steadfast members of the Society of Friends. On coming to this county he was in debt four thousand dollars, but by perseverance and industry has steadily advanced to a high degree of prosperity, and is recognized by those who know him as a man of integrity and honesty, these qualities alone being worth a fortune to any man. In early life Mr. Battin was a Free-boiler, but in 1856 he cast his presidential vote for John C. Fremont and has since been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, although he has never been an office seeker. He has served on the board of education and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend. He is one of the highly respected citizens. of Clark county and well does he deserve mention in this volume. He has been quite an extensive traveler, having visited many places of national and historic interest in this country, including the homesteads of his early ancestors.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.