William Francis Tomlinson
William Francis Tomlinson, a highly respected resident of Mt. Pleasant, where he has been more or less engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of years, is a representative of one of the substantial pioneer families, which was established in Jefferson County about 100 years ago. His whole life has been spent in this county, where he was born May 26, 1849, the seventh and youngest child of his parents who were Samuel S. and Rachel (Street) Tomlinson.
Isaac Tomlinson, the grandfather of William F., was born in Bucks County, Pa., where he married Mary Deweese, and they came to Jefftferson County in 1818. Their first night here was spent at Mt. Pleasant, but the next morning they went on to Emerson and took up their residence in a log house which stood near the present Emerson schoolhouse. He then purchased a farm of forty acres which is now owned by the heirs of Thomas McCullough, on which he lived for some years, but died at his home, which was a brick house that stood east of the town of Harrisville, and his burial was in the Quaker burying ground at New Trenton. He was a chairmaker by trade and some of the comfortable arm chairs that he patiently fashioned are still in use. To Isaac and Mary Tomlinson the following children were born: Samuel S., who was born in Bucks County, Pa., and died in Jefferson County at the age of eighty-nine years and eleven months; Rebecca, who married Amos Marsh, and died in Iowa; Thomas, who moved to Iowa reared a family there and died in that state; Susanna, who married James Carter and lived and died in Harrison County; Carver, who reared a family in Illinois and died there; Comley, who after residing for a number of years in Jefferson County, moved to Salem, in Columbiana County, where his last years were spent; Chalkley, who died very suddenly in Jefferson County; and Sarah, who married Amos Griffith and died in Harrison County, Ohio, after having become a widow in Iowa.
Samuel S. Tomlinson, father of William Francis, was born in Bucks County in 1810, and died in Jefferson County, Ohio, in December, 1899. He learned the trade of chairmaking with his father but after his marriage became a farmer. His first purchase of land was a tract of sixty acres, now owned by John Beam, and afterward he bought forty-four acres from James Robinson. This land he kept intact and cultivated and improved it, spending many busy years here. In 1831 he married Rachel Street, who was also born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1810. Seven children were born to them, namely: Griffith, who spent the greater part of his life in Jefferson County but later moved to Belmont County (married Alice Greer); Emily, who married Samuel R. Battin, resided for a few years after marriage in Columbiana County, Ohio, then moved to Clark County where she died in the fall of 1909; Isaac, a farmer, who resides near West Liberty, Iowa; Elizabeth, residing in Marshall County, Iowa, who never married; Rebecca, who was the wife of Amos Gibson and spent her life in Jefferson and Columbiaua Counties, dying without issue; Edward, who has been engaged in farming in Harrison County, Ohio, for the past eight years (married Hilary Philpot); and William Francis, of Mt. Pleasant. Very few descendants of the above family still live in Jefferson County, they being confined to the immediate family of William Francis Tomlinson and two nieces, Mrs. Worthington and Mrs. Fisher.
William F. Tomlinson remained on his father's farm west of Emerson until he was about twenty-eight years of age. He attended what was known as the Trenton school during its winter sessions but helped in the cultivation of the farm during the summers. Later he attended the Mt. Pleasant school for two months, this completing his regular schooling. It in no wise comjileted his education, however, for he came of intelligent parentage and possessed a quick and receptive mind and from the many visitors to his parents' home and later through a wider acquaintance he secured much practical knowledge that he might not have acquired from a collegiate training. The visitors referred to above were numerous, for his people were hospitable and as they were Prominent Hicksite Quakers, their home was often a place of hospitality for ministers and other travelers of that faith.
William F. Tomlinson was married December 25, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth McCullough, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Porter) McCullough. Mrs. Tomlinson was born on Wheeling Island and came to Mt. Pleasant in 1873, with her parents, who died here. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson: Edith, who has adopted the profession of a trained nurse; and Walter M. The latter was connected for ten years with the Harper hat store and at present is a traveling salesman for a large hat house of Cincinnati. He marlied Mary Jessie House, a daughter of C. A. House, who is a music dealer of Wheeling, W. Va., and they have one daughter, Irene.
William P. Tomlinson at different periods has been engaged in mercantile business and since his marriage has conducted a general store at Mt. Pleasant. He has never taken any pronounced interest in politics, nor has he sought public offlice, but always performs the duties of good citizenship. He votes with the Republican party and has served as township assessor. He attends the Quaker church at Emerson, being a birthright member of the Society of Friends.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910