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Biographies
Source:
A Biographical History
of
Preble County, Ohio.
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Compendium of National Biography
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Illustrated
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Chicago
The Lewis Publishing Company
1900
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JOHN ACTION.
John Acton was born in Maryland, Oct. 23, 1781, and died
in Eaton, Ohio, July 26, 1849, of cholera. In Rockbridge
county, Virginia, he married Nancy Buchanan, a native of
Virginia, born Oct. 31, 1773. She died in Eaton, Jan. 31,
1855. this worthy couple, with their three children came
to Eaton in 1816, and here Mr. Acton immediately
opened a small shop and began making hats. He was a good
hatter and prospered, continuing in the business many years and
suspending it only a short time before his death. It has
been recorded of him that he was a very hardworking man, frugal
and prudent. However, he was open-hearted and liberal, and
in every sense a respected and valued citizen. Though not
a member of any church, he gave of his means toward the support
of church, school and every public measure tending to public
benefit. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian church
and was a woman of sterling qualities.
In politics Mr. Acton was a Democrat,
though never an aspirant for office. However, not long
before his death he was honored with the appointment by the
governor to the office of associate judge of the Preble county
court of common pleas. To him and his wife were born three
children, namely: Mary R., who married Samuel
Robinson; Isabella H., who became the wife of S.
H. Hubbell; and John P. Acton, of whom personal
mention is here given.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble County, Ohio - Published
Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1900 - Page 293 |
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JOHN P. ACTON.
John P. Acton was the son of John and Nancy (Buchanan)
Acton. He was born Sept. 4, 1812, and was but four
years of age when his parents located in Eaton. He had
little schooling, because of failing eyesight, in part, and
then, too, he very early developed a condition of usefulness in
his father’s shop. Learning the hatter’s trade, his father
placed him very early in charge of the shop, his father turning
his attention to other affairs and only retaining an interest in
the business. The younger Acton did not remain in
the hat business long, however, for from 1836 to 1843 he was
engaged in the grocery business; and during a portion of this
time he was associated with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell,
as a partner. Disposing of his grocery interests, Mr.
Acton engaged in the business of buying and selling and
manufacturing lumber, a business which occupied his attention
for many years thereafter. He was a successful business
man, and the independence to which he attained financially was
reached by the slow, sure, laborious process of legitimate
business. Many other enterprises than the lumber industry
received a share of his attention and activity. In 1872 he
was one of four men who established the Preble County Bank.
For many years he was a very influential promoter of public
improvements, doing much toward giving Preble county its
railroads and turnpikes. During his long career in
business, such was his spirit of enterprise that he left his
name indelibly stamped upon the pages of the county’s history.
He was a man of unusual ability, and his business sagacity,
energy and integrity won for him an enviable reputation.
His life was characterized by qualities of kindness and
benevolence.
Politically Mr. Acton was a Democrat, but, save
a few minor positions held in early life, he never sought or
filled public office.
May 16, 1841, he married Burthenia M. Stephens,
and to them six children were born, namely: John Thomas,
Nancy Margaret, Harvey H., Joseph W., Mary Isabella and
Elizabeth Ann. Mrs. Acton was a daughter of John
and Margaret Stephens, who came to Preble county in 1817,
from Bourbon county, Kentucky, and located near Eaton.
They were among the early settlers of the county and were highly
respected. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He was a native of Kentucky, while his wife was a
native of Maryland.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble County, Ohio - Published
Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Co., 1900 - Page 294 |
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