The first representatives of the Acton Family in Eaton were John Acton and his wife, Nancy Buchanan Acton. The former was born in Maryland, Oct. 23, 1781. He married his wife in Rockbridge county, Virginia, where she was born Oct. 31, 1773. This couple, with their three children, located in Eaton in the year 1816, and the husband and father of the family immediately opened a little shop and began making hats - a trade which was much in vogue in early years, and considered one of the best a man could engage in.
John Acton was, undoubtedly, a very good hatter, for he was successful in a pecuniary point of view and continued the business many years, in fact until a short time before his business many years, in fact until a short time before his death. His shop, a small frame structure, stood precisely upon the spot now covered by the parlor of John P. Acton's home, and the house in which he lived is still in existence, incorporated with his son-in-law's substantial residence which, by the way, improved this site and the general appearance of West Main street as long ago as 1840. Mr. Acton was a very hard working, active man, and saved by the frugality much of that which his industry earned. The whole object and purpose of his life, however, was by no means saving a fortune, or even accumulating an independence. He was one of the most liberal men in the community, and liberal alike with his time and money. There was no measure of public good undertaken which did not receive the support of his labors and influence and means. He aided every church society which erected a house of worship in Eaton, during his citizenship, and it was very largely through his generosity that the "old public church" on the banks of Seven Mile, was brought into existence. He was not a member of any church, but a very moral man, one who by good works made manifest the possession of a noble theory of life's responsibilities and duties. His wife was a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and that society received from the family a very liberal support. It was one of Mr. Acton's deepest grounded beliefs that the highest good, morally,and therefore materially, was to be secured through education, and he therefore took an interest in school matters which was so constant and so intense as almost to become a noticeable eccentricity in his nature.
No pains that he could take to improve the condition of the schools, or indirectly aid education, seemed too much for him, and no outlay of time or money too great. HE was always active in looking out for the advancement of educational interests. For many years he was a school director, and during several terms was president of the board. In early years he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and not long before the close of his useful life was honored with the appointment by the governor of the office of associate judge of the Preble county court of common pleas. He was never an aspirant for public place; had he been he could, doubtless have held almost any position within the gift of the county, for he was personally very popular and held in high esteem for his strict integrity of character, as well as his devotion to the public good. Politically he was a Democrat.
He died July 26, 1849, of cholera - one among the many of Eaton's worthy men who were cut down that year by the terrible epidemic. His wife died Jan. 31, 1855.
This estimable pair of pioneers were the parents of three children, all of whom were born prior to the Acton's immigration to Ohio. Mary R., widow of Samuel Robinson, is the oldest. She was born Oct. 14, 1809, and is still living, and located near Eaton. Her sister, Isabella Hall, wife of S. H. Hubbell, was born Sept. 4, 1815, and is now a resident of Eaton. John P. Acton was born Sept. 4, 1812, and is, consequently, in his sixty-ninth year. As boy and youth he had but very little schooling, a result caused in part by his eyes failing him, and in part by his rapid development to a condition of usefulness in his father's shop. Learning the hatter's trade at the age of fifteen he was soon placed in charge of the shop, his father stepping aside from the management to attend to other affairs, but retaining his interest. Young Acton only followed hat making for four or five years and then went into the grocery business, which he followed for seven years - from 1836 to 1843 - a portion of the time alone, but the greater part in association with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell. His store was where Andrew Coffman now conducts business. Soon after discontinuing the grocery business Mr. Acton engaged in the line which now occupies his attention. He began the business of buying and selling and manufacturing lumber. In 1849 he built a steam saw mill just west of Seven Mile lumber. HE has been generally prosperous in conducting business at this mill, and quite unifor's.
History of Preble County, Ohio - Williams & Bro, Publishers - 1881
John Acton was, undoubtedly, a very good hatter, for he was successful in a pecuniary point of view and continued the business many years, in fact until a short time before his business many years, in fact until a short time before his death. His shop, a small frame structure, stood precisely upon the spot now covered by the parlor of John P. Acton's home, and the house in which he lived is still in existence, incorporated with his son-in-law's substantial residence which, by the way, improved this site and the general appearance of West Main street as long ago as 1840. Mr. Acton was a very hard working, active man, and saved by the frugality much of that which his industry earned. The whole object and purpose of his life, however, was by no means saving a fortune, or even accumulating an independence. He was one of the most liberal men in the community, and liberal alike with his time and money. There was no measure of public good undertaken which did not receive the support of his labors and influence and means. He aided every church society which erected a house of worship in Eaton, during his citizenship, and it was very largely through his generosity that the "old public church" on the banks of Seven Mile, was brought into existence. He was not a member of any church, but a very moral man, one who by good works made manifest the possession of a noble theory of life's responsibilities and duties. His wife was a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and that society received from the family a very liberal support. It was one of Mr. Acton's deepest grounded beliefs that the highest good, morally,and therefore materially, was to be secured through education, and he therefore took an interest in school matters which was so constant and so intense as almost to become a noticeable eccentricity in his nature.
No pains that he could take to improve the condition of the schools, or indirectly aid education, seemed too much for him, and no outlay of time or money too great. HE was always active in looking out for the advancement of educational interests. For many years he was a school director, and during several terms was president of the board. In early years he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and not long before the close of his useful life was honored with the appointment by the governor of the office of associate judge of the Preble county court of common pleas. He was never an aspirant for public place; had he been he could, doubtless have held almost any position within the gift of the county, for he was personally very popular and held in high esteem for his strict integrity of character, as well as his devotion to the public good. Politically he was a Democrat.
He died July 26, 1849, of cholera - one among the many of Eaton's worthy men who were cut down that year by the terrible epidemic. His wife died Jan. 31, 1855.
This estimable pair of pioneers were the parents of three children, all of whom were born prior to the Acton's immigration to Ohio. Mary R., widow of Samuel Robinson, is the oldest. She was born Oct. 14, 1809, and is still living, and located near Eaton. Her sister, Isabella Hall, wife of S. H. Hubbell, was born Sept. 4, 1815, and is now a resident of Eaton. John P. Acton was born Sept. 4, 1812, and is, consequently, in his sixty-ninth year. As boy and youth he had but very little schooling, a result caused in part by his eyes failing him, and in part by his rapid development to a condition of usefulness in his father's shop. Learning the hatter's trade at the age of fifteen he was soon placed in charge of the shop, his father stepping aside from the management to attend to other affairs, but retaining his interest. Young Acton only followed hat making for four or five years and then went into the grocery business, which he followed for seven years - from 1836 to 1843 - a portion of the time alone, but the greater part in association with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell. His store was where Andrew Coffman now conducts business. Soon after discontinuing the grocery business Mr. Acton engaged in the line which now occupies his attention. He began the business of buying and selling and manufacturing lumber. In 1849 he built a steam saw mill just west of Seven Mile lumber. HE has been generally prosperous in conducting business at this mill, and quite unifor's.
History of Preble County, Ohio - Williams & Bro, Publishers - 1881
The first representatives of the Acton Family in Eaton were John Acton and his wife, Nancy Buchanan Acton. The former was born in Maryland, Oct. 23, 1781. He married his wife in Rockbridge county, Virginia, where she was born Oct. 31, 1773. This couple, with their three children, located in Eaton in the year 1816, and the husband and father of the family immediately opened a little shop and began making hats - a trade which was much in vogue in early years, and considered one of the best a man could engage in.
John Acton was, undoubtedly, a very good hatter, for he was successful in a pecuniary point of view and continued the business many years, in fact until a short time before his business many years, in fact until a short time before his death. His shop, a small frame structure, stood precisely upon the spot now covered by the parlor of John P. Acton's home, and the house in which he lived is still in existence, incorporated with his son-in-law's substantial residence which, by the way, improved this site and the general appearance of West Main street as long ago as 1840. Mr. Acton was a very hard working, active man, and saved by the frugality much of that which his industry earned. The whole object and purpose of his life, however, was by no means saving a fortune, or even accumulating an independence. He was one of the most liberal men in the community, and liberal alike with his time and money. There was no measure of public good undertaken which did not receive the support of his labors and influence and means. He aided every church society which erected a house of worship in Eaton, during his citizenship, and it was very largely through his generosity that the "old public church" on the banks of Seven Mile, was brought into existence. He was not a member of any church, but a very moral man, one who by good works made manifest the possession of a noble theory of life's responsibilities and duties. His wife was a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and that society received from the family a very liberal support. It was one of Mr. Acton's deepest grounded beliefs that the highest good, morally,and therefore materially, was to be secured through education, and he therefore took an interest in school matters which was so constant and so intense as almost to become a noticeable eccentricity in his nature.
No pains that he could take to improve the condition of the schools, or indirectly aid education, seemed too much for him, and no outlay of time or money too great. HE was always active in looking out for the advancement of educational interests. For many years he was a school director, and during several terms was president of the board. In early years he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and not long before the close of his useful life was honored with the appointment by the governor of the office of associate judge of the Preble county court of common pleas. He was never an aspirant for public place; had he been he could, doubtless have held almost any position within the gift of the county, for he was personally very popular and held in high esteem for his strict integrity of character, as well as his devotion to the public good. Politically he was a Democrat.
He died July 26, 1849, of cholera - one among the many of Eaton's worthy men who were cut down that year by the terrible epidemic. His wife died Jan. 31, 1855.
This estimable pair of pioneers were the parents of three children, all of whom were born prior to the Acton's immigration to Ohio. Mary R., widow of Samuel Robinson, is the oldest. She was born Oct. 14, 1809, and is still living, and located near Eaton. Her sister, Isabella Hall, wife of S. H. Hubbell, was born Sept. 4, 1815, and is now a resident of Eaton. John P. Acton was born Sept. 4, 1812, and is, consequently, in his sixty-ninth year. As boy and youth he had but very little schooling, a result caused in part by his eyes failing him, and in part by his rapid development to a condition of usefulness in his father's shop. Learning the hatter's trade at the age of fifteen he was soon placed in charge of the shop, his father stepping aside from the management to attend to other affairs, but retaining his interest. Young Acton only followed hat making for four or five years and then went into the grocery business, which he followed for seven years - from 1836 to 1843 - a portion of the time alone, but the greater part in association with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell. His store was where Andrew Coffman now conducts business. Soon after discontinuing the grocery business Mr. Acton engaged in the line which now occupies his attention. He began the business of buying and selling and manufacturing lumber. In 1849 he built a steam saw mill just west of Seven Mile lumber. HE has been generally prosperous in conducting business at this mill, and quite unifor's.
History of Preble County, Ohio - Williams & Bro, Publishers - 1881
John Acton was, undoubtedly, a very good hatter, for he was successful in a pecuniary point of view and continued the business many years, in fact until a short time before his business many years, in fact until a short time before his death. His shop, a small frame structure, stood precisely upon the spot now covered by the parlor of John P. Acton's home, and the house in which he lived is still in existence, incorporated with his son-in-law's substantial residence which, by the way, improved this site and the general appearance of West Main street as long ago as 1840. Mr. Acton was a very hard working, active man, and saved by the frugality much of that which his industry earned. The whole object and purpose of his life, however, was by no means saving a fortune, or even accumulating an independence. He was one of the most liberal men in the community, and liberal alike with his time and money. There was no measure of public good undertaken which did not receive the support of his labors and influence and means. He aided every church society which erected a house of worship in Eaton, during his citizenship, and it was very largely through his generosity that the "old public church" on the banks of Seven Mile, was brought into existence. He was not a member of any church, but a very moral man, one who by good works made manifest the possession of a noble theory of life's responsibilities and duties. His wife was a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and that society received from the family a very liberal support. It was one of Mr. Acton's deepest grounded beliefs that the highest good, morally,and therefore materially, was to be secured through education, and he therefore took an interest in school matters which was so constant and so intense as almost to become a noticeable eccentricity in his nature.
No pains that he could take to improve the condition of the schools, or indirectly aid education, seemed too much for him, and no outlay of time or money too great. HE was always active in looking out for the advancement of educational interests. For many years he was a school director, and during several terms was president of the board. In early years he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and not long before the close of his useful life was honored with the appointment by the governor of the office of associate judge of the Preble county court of common pleas. He was never an aspirant for public place; had he been he could, doubtless have held almost any position within the gift of the county, for he was personally very popular and held in high esteem for his strict integrity of character, as well as his devotion to the public good. Politically he was a Democrat.
He died July 26, 1849, of cholera - one among the many of Eaton's worthy men who were cut down that year by the terrible epidemic. His wife died Jan. 31, 1855.
This estimable pair of pioneers were the parents of three children, all of whom were born prior to the Acton's immigration to Ohio. Mary R., widow of Samuel Robinson, is the oldest. She was born Oct. 14, 1809, and is still living, and located near Eaton. Her sister, Isabella Hall, wife of S. H. Hubbell, was born Sept. 4, 1815, and is now a resident of Eaton. John P. Acton was born Sept. 4, 1812, and is, consequently, in his sixty-ninth year. As boy and youth he had but very little schooling, a result caused in part by his eyes failing him, and in part by his rapid development to a condition of usefulness in his father's shop. Learning the hatter's trade at the age of fifteen he was soon placed in charge of the shop, his father stepping aside from the management to attend to other affairs, but retaining his interest. Young Acton only followed hat making for four or five years and then went into the grocery business, which he followed for seven years - from 1836 to 1843 - a portion of the time alone, but the greater part in association with his brother-in-law, S. H. Hubbell. His store was where Andrew Coffman now conducts business. Soon after discontinuing the grocery business Mr. Acton engaged in the line which now occupies his attention. He began the business of buying and selling and manufacturing lumber. In 1849 he built a steam saw mill just west of Seven Mile lumber. HE has been generally prosperous in conducting business at this mill, and quite unifor's.
History of Preble County, Ohio - Williams & Bro, Publishers - 1881
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