OLIVER M. LINTON is descended from an honored ancestry who came to Washington county at a very early period in its history. John Linton immigrated to America about 1682 and was apparently the first of the family to set foot upon American soil. An old family Bible, now in the possession of our subject, contains a record of five generations, and the first item in this record is the following: "Benjamin Linton, son of John and Rebecca, born 6th month, 10th day, 1703." Joshua Linton, son of the above-named Benjamin, by a second wife, nee Jane Cowgil, was born January 22, 1738, and was the great-grandfather of Oliver M. In early pioneer days he was a resident of Bucks county, Penn., whence, in company with his three sons Benjamin, Mahlon and Joshua, Jr. he came to Washington county toward the close of the last century. [This is taken from data supplied by Prof. Edwin Linton.] Of these sons, Mahlon was born in Bucks county, at 9:30 o'clock, A. M., February 6, 1781, was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, after the fashion of those early times, and also learned the trade of weaving, both of which occupations he followed through life. After his arrival in Washington county, he purchased, on March 10, 1789, seventy-six acres of wild land in East Bethlehem township, where he made a settlement, clearing his place of the primeval forest, and enduring the many hardships incident to pioneer life. On March 31, 1803, he married Ann Hilles, who bore him the following named children: Sarah, born August 14, 1804, died in 1873; William H., born April 30, 1806, died 1862; Samuel, born June 23, 1809, died 1864; Joseph, born January 28, 1813, died 1882; Mary Ann, born April 27, 1815, died 1882; Isaiah, born September 29, 1817, died 1891; Caroline, born August 21, 1820, died in girlhood, and Margaret, born September 21, 1825. The father died April 4, 1831, the mother following him to the grave June 21, 1838. He was a Whig in politics, and in his religious connection was a Quaker. William H. Linton was born on the farm now owned by his son, Oliver M., in East Bethlehem township, and which has been in the possession of the Linton family ever since its purchase in 1789 by Mahlon Linton. He received his education at the subscription schools of the locality of his birth, and afterward attended Westland Academy. His brothers and sisters, who grew to maturity, all married and became scattered, but he continued to live on the old homestead, assisting his father in the duties of the farm, and at the latter's death he inherited the property. He was married October 31, 1832, to Matilda, daughter of Benjamin Taylor, one of Washington county's early Quaker citizens. To this union were born children as follows: Eli, Caroline, Elizabeth Ann, Oliver M., William Hilles, Mary and Eliza, John Francis and Lawrence, all of whom are now deceased, except Caroline, Oliver M. and William Hilles, the last named being a resident of Salem, Ohio. The father by occupation was a farmer, shoemaker and broom maker; in politics he was a Republican, in religious faith a Quaker: he died March 29, 1862; the mother was called from earth September 17, 1869. Oliver M, Linton, whose name opens this biographical memoir, was born on the farm which he now owns, and of which he has been a lifelong resident with the exception of three years (1882 to 1885) he spent in Centreville. He was educated at the common schools of his district, receiving at home a thorough training in the arduous and manifold duties of a practical agriculturist, and has made farming pursuits, including threshing by horsepower, the vocation of his life. On October 26, 1865, he was married to Miss Philena Cleaver, who was born September 18, 1841, in Columbiana county, Ohio, daughter of Eli Cleaver, and this union was blessed with five children, viz.: Nora M., born August 19, 1867; Mary M., born August 2, 1869; Lizzie L., born September 10, 1871; Cora E., born April 3, 1873, and Eva O., born November 2, 1882. Of these the following named three all died in 1872 of diphtheria: Nora M., March 14; Mary M., February 15, and Lizzie L., March 12. Mr. Linton's farm, comprising ninety-three acres, in a high state of cultivation, is equipped with all modern improvements, and is devoted exclusively to general farming and stock raising. In his political preferments our subject is a Republican, and has served as judge of election.

Text taken from page 253 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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