John B. Colton
John B. Colton, farmer, P.O. Garrettsville, a native of Connecticut, was born November 27, 1811, son of Theron and Elizabeth (Clark) Colton, natives of Connecticut, who moved to this county in 1815, and who were the parents of eleven children, one deceased in infancy, the remainder attaining maturity, four of whom are now living, whose combined ages aggregate three hundred years. Theron Colton, born in Granby, Conn., established the first blacksmith shop in Nelson Township, this county, and conducted an extensive business for three townships. He died in 1851 at the age of seventy-eight years, his widow surviving him about fourteen years. Our subject was raised on a farm, his education being limited to that obtainable in the log-school house of that early day. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married in 1847 to Mary L. Tilden, a native of Hiram Township, this county, where she was born in 1829. They are the parents of three children: George H., a Professor in Hiram College; Emily N., wife of G. W. Newcomb, and Sheridan B. Mr. Colton has added several acres to the old homestead where his parents lived and died, aud which he now owns. Mr. Colton has served the people of his township in several offices of trust. He has never been a politician or office seeker, but has ever lived contented with the plain home life of a farmer.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885