Clay R. Joslin
About the beginning of the eighteenth century, Pelig Jocelyn, a young English gentleman, married a young lady of the Wakefield family of English nobility. The marriage was not agreeable to the wishes of the lady’s family. The result was the young couple left their native land and sailed for America. They first stopped for a time in New York, but afterward located in Connecticut. Of this family we know nothing except of one son, Benjamin, who married in Connecticut, and had four sons. This father and four sons were all in the Revolutionary War, aiding in the struggle for the independence of their adopted country.
Israel, one of the four sons, married Sally Brown, of Vermont, a cousin of John Brown, of Harper Ferry notoriety. Israel changed the spelling of his name to Joslin, since which time the name has been spelled in that manner. They reared a family of seven children. Robinson Joslin, one of the seven, married Susan wells, in the State of Vermont, in the year 1833. Some four years later they drifted into Ohio, and located in Akron, but remained there only a year or two, when they removed to Wapakoneta, Ohio. Their next removal was to Sidney in the year 1841, since which time he has made his home here. They had born to them six children, three of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, viz., Clay R., Byron W., and Mariah E. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin still reside in Sidney, where he is engaged in the grocery and produce trade.
Clay R., whose name appears at the head of this sketch, is the eldest son of the above. He was born in Sidney January 1, 1843, and has made his home here principally from that time to the present. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, 20th O. V. I., and remained in the service about one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. After regaining his health he went West, and remained a couple of years, then again returned home. In 1868 he engaged with his father in the sash, door, and blind factory, at which he continued until 1872. This year he married Miss Lou E. Vogle, of Piqua, Ohio. January 1, 1873, he engaged in the livery business with Alex. Ramsey. They were partners until 1875, when Ramsey sold his interest to J. S. Patten. They remained together until 1879, when they divided their stock, and Joslin leased his present premises, since which time he has carried on the business of livery and feed stable in connection with that of veterinary surgeon. In 1879 he was elected as coroner of Shelby County, and has filled the office two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have had born to them three children, viz., Mary R., Grace B., and Eugenia L.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883