Thomas Oliver Betton
Thomas Oliver Betton, postmaster and a general merchant of Rayland, O., has been a resident here since 1869 and was born August 8, 1850, at Little York, Jefferson County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Julia A. (Ginovin) Betton.
William Betton was of English descent and was born near Baltimore, Md., where he was reared and learned the shoemaker's trade. He was twice married. The first wife died in Maryland, and he subsequently married Julia Ginovin, whose parents came to this country from Ireland. William Betton and his wife came overland in wagons to Jefferson County, Ohio, and located at Little York, where he followed his trade the remainder of his life. He died in 1876, aged sixty-eight years, and was survived by his widow until 1884, her death occurring at the age of seventy-two years. The following children were born to William and Julia Betton: Elizabeth, who married Joseph Parkinson, both now deceased; Hanna J., who is the widow of B. N. Daniels; Mollie, who is a resident of Little York, O.; Catherine, who is the widow of L. W. Sutherland; Harry, who served in the Civil War, a member of Company G, 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the army; Margaret, deceased, who married D. C. Kennedy; Henrietta, who married Joseph A. Hobson, and lives at New Alexandria, O.; aud Thomas Oliver, the subject of this record.
Thomas O. Betton obtained his education in the schools of Little York and in 1869 came to Warren Township, where for twenty-two years he taught during the winter months and farmed during the summer. He then clerked in Ward & Smith's store at Rayland for three years, after which he established himself in business in a small way and also invested in real estate here and at Tiltonville, O. He became postmaster at Rayland under President Cleveland's administration and was also appointed postmaster by President McKinley, and has continued operating his store in connection with his official duties. Mr. Betton was married February 12, 1873, to Anna B. Aken, who is a daughter of William and Mary (Chamberlin) Aken, and they have reared four children: Jessie; Erma, who is deceased; W. Kinsey, who married Myrtle McMannis and has three children; and Benjamin, who married Ida Baum, and has one child. While his father was an Abolitionist, he is a Republican in politics, and has served three terms as township clerk. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1876. The religious connection of the family is with the Presbyterian Church.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910