Joel Letts
Joel Letts, who was one of Berkshire Township's most highly esteemed citizens, successful business men and prominent farmers, was born in Morgan Township, Knox Ohio, August 18, 1822, and died at Sunbury, Ohio, May 25, 1896. His parents were John and Mary (Hanna) Letts.
The parents of Mr. Letts were born in Pennsylvania and they were among the pioneer settlers of Knox County, Ohio. The father secured 400 acres of wild land and settled on it when Indians still roamed through the uncleared forests and game and wild animals were plentiful all through Morgan Township. The parents of Mr. Letts died there. They had ten children and all of this large family were sons with one exception.
Joel Letts was the third member of his parents' family and he remained on the home farm and assisted in the clearing and developing of the land, remaining until his marriage, October 4, 1859, to Ella Lace. Mrs. Letts was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1830, and is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Jones) Lace. They also were natives of Luzerne County, and the paternal grandparents, Michael and Anna (Freeman) Pace, were born in Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather, Michael Pace, was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Letts had three children, namely: Edward Howard, born February 18, 1861, died October 19, 1865; Arthur Reed, born February 4, 1866, residing in Florida; and Lillian M., who was born March 17. 1868. She married Frank Whittier, who is connected with the Sunbury News.
The late Joel Letts owned 100 acres of valuable land adjoining Sunbury, on the southwest, and also a good house and improved lot in Sunbury. He carried on farming and for five years was also interested in a hardware business at Sunbury, for two years with a Mr. Payne and for three years alone. His store was destroyed by fire and he never resumed business but lived retired for three years prior to his death. He was an upright, Christian man and for many years had been a class leader in the Methodisl Episcopal Church. He was also a man who unswervingly followed the path he believed to he right and this was particularly shown in the matter of prohibition. He had been a temperance advocate from his youth and when the question came up at the polls, he was the first voter of the Prohibition ticket in Berkshire Township.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908