Joseph Atherton

Joseph Atherton, deceased, son of Israel Atherton, of Kentucky, an early settler of Ohio, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1813. This Israel subsequently settled in Hancock County, Ill., where he died. Joseph came to Stark County in 1S45, and with his twin brother Milton, in the fall of that year, settled south of Toulon. In 1851 they located about three miles south of Lafayette, of which township Joseph was supervisor two terms. He came here with little means, but by work and ability left a valuable property at his death, May 1, 1886. He was married in Ohio, to Miss Eliza Simonson, born in 1812, and a survivor of pioneer days. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Jesse S., of Lafayette; Milton, deceased ; Charles, a Methodist minister in Kansas; William B. resides in McDonough County, Ill.; Sarah J., deceased; Henrietta, Nancy, Hester, Ann, Lusetta, Franklin P., and Paulina. Mr. Atherton was a member of Toulon Lodge, 93, A. F. & A. M., a life-long Democrat, and a citizen of undoubted worth —public and private. Jesse S. Atherton, eldest son of Joseph, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1835, received a common school education, and followed farming until he was nineteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In June, 1883, he moved to Lafayette, and established his hardware business that year. He was commissioned postmaster in 1885, and took possession of the office July 1,1885. This was given as a testimonial of his fathers and his own unswerving democracy. He was married in 1858, to Miss Lois, daughter of Nelson Grant. They are the parents of Allen, Lucy, and Charles Atherton. Mr. Atherton is a member of Stark Masonic Lodge, has filled the office of supervisor two terms, and given promise of being as useful a citizen as his father was.