William J. Willsey
William J. Willsey, farmer, P. O. Edinburgh, was born in Fulton, Schoharie Co., N. Y., October 3, 1823; son of Henry T. and Orpha Willsey, natives of New York, who came to this county in 1840, thence removing to Ashtabula County in 1853, where they remained until the father's death, January 6, 1854. The mother subsequently married William Johnson and died March 28, 1884, at the residence of her son, A. V. Willsey, Atwater, this county. Our subject was married October 6, 1853, to Samantha L. Clover, born in Deerfield Township, this county, July 3, 1833, daughter of Nathan and Hannah Clover, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to this county in 1827 and here remained until their death. Mr. Clover died in 1872, and his widow in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Willsey are the parents of one child—Cecelia L. A., born September 30, 1854, wife of Dix Gilbert. Our subject has been a teacher and farmer; owns 122½ acres of land; is a Justice of the Peace and has filled most of the township offices. Mrs. Willsey is a member of the Disciples Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885