Loftus W. Linton
As a member of the farming community of Jefferson Township, Greene County, Mr. Linton has been a decided success. He resides a short distance from Bowerville, and makes a specialty of stock-raising, giving much attention to Poland-China swine. He settled upon his present farm in March of 1887, having removed hither from Clinton County. He was born in Wilmington, that county, March 21, 1864, and is the son of the Hon. Nathan M. Linton, who is still engaged in the practice of law at Wilmington. The father of our subject was also born in Wilmington, and fairly earned his title of Honorable by representing his county in the State Legislature. He was married in Clinton County, to Miss. Mary A. Linley, who only remained his companion for about seven years. At her death four children were left motherless, of whom Loftus W., our subject, was then only two and one-half years old, and is the only survivor.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Seth Linton, a native of Union Township, Clinton County, this State, where he was reared and married, and where he is still living at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, formerly Miss. Sarah A. Moore, likewise a native of Clinton County, was a daughter of one of its pioneer families. She is still living, and although seventy-one years old, is active and healthy, and in full possession of all her faculties. Both she and her husband were reared in the Quaker faith in which Grandfather Linton served as an Elder, and the grandmother a preacher. The father of Seth was Nathan Linton, a native of Pennsylvania, a descendant of William Penn, and also a Quaker in religion.
Nathan Linton was one of the first settlers of Clinton County, migrating thither about 1800. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and for many years was prominent in local affairs, officiating as County Surveyor and Land Agent for a long period. He was likewise interested in agricultural pursuits, and was the first man to introduce fine wool sheep into Ohio. He likewise established the first nursery in Clinton County, and from it many of the first orchards of that region for miles around, were set out. He put up the first brick house in Clinton County, and this still stands firmly on its foundation as a fitting monument to its builder. He departed this life in 1860, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was for many years an Elder in the Quaker Church, and one of the chief pillars in the church. Many and great have been the changes which he was permitted to witness during the transformation of a wilderness into the homes of a civilized and intelligent people.
Nathan Linton was married in Clark County, this State, to Miss Rachel Smith, a daughter of one of its earliest families. She died at the old home in Union Township about eighteen months after the decease of her husband, and was eighty odd years old. The male members of the Linton family have been members of the Republican party since its organization. Nathan Linton, the father of our subject, was an active politician as were they all, and he with his brothers became well-to-do. Both men and women put their shoulders to the wheel in building up their homes, and maintained an enviable position in their community. They were the warm friends of education and progress and Seth Linton, like his kinsmen, contributed substantial aid to the establishment and maintenance of Wilmington College.
The subject of this sketch, after the death of his mother, was taken into the home of his grandfather, Seth Linton, with whom he remained until old enough, and far enough advanced in his studies to enter Wilmington College. On account of failing health, however, he was obliged to abandon his studies before being graduated. He then resumed the farming pursuits to which he had been reared, and on the 31st of December, 1885, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married at Wilmington, Clinton County, to Miss Cora L. Vanniman. Mrs. Cora Linton was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, April 14, 1867, and is the daughter of William H. Vanniman. The latter, also a native of Jefferson Township, was born in February, 1840. His father was Benjamin Vanniman, one of the first settlers of Jefferson Township, a man who became well-to-do, and who was prominent, among his fellow-citizens. He there lived and died, passing away when quite aged.
William H. Vanniman spent his boyhood and youth in his native county, and when reaching man’s estate, was married to Miss Mary J. Chaney. This lady spent her childhood and youth at her birthplace in Greene County, and after marriage the young people settled in Jefferson Township. After a few years they removed to Bowersville, where Mr. Vanniman died June 26, 1880. His wife, Mary J., who was born October 26, 1845, departed this life at their home in Bowersville, November 24, 1881; both were active members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Of this church Mr. Vanniman was an officer for many years. Politically, he was a sound Republican.
Mrs. Linton received careful home training, and a good education, completing her studies in Wilmington College. She lived with her parents until their death, and is now the mother of two children, Nathan E. and William Noal. Mr. Linton in religious matters adheres to the Quaker faith of his forefathers. Mrs. Linton is a Methodist.
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Clark and Greene Counties, Chapman Bros., Chicago, published 1890