Numbered among the leading representatives of the commercial interests of Rangeville, Mr. Routson is successfully engaged in the grain business. He is a son of Jacob and Ediah (Hahn) Routson. He was born May 8, 1841, on the old home farm in this locality. His father, a native of Frederick, Maryland, was born January 13, 1813, and in 1833 accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, the journey westward being made in wagons. His education was obtained in the subscription schools of his native state and after reaching Ohio he assisted his father in clearing and developing the wild land. He was married in Adams township, Darke county, in 1835, to Miss Ediah Hahn and upon a farm in Lorain township, Shelby county, they began their domestic life. The grandfather entered eighty acres of land from the government and sold this to his son, Jacob, for a dollar and a quarter per acre. There the latter carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred about 1894. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1867. They were members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Routson was a Democrat in his political affiliations. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, as follows: Josiah, of this review; Clara, who became the wife of David Rhodahaffer and died in Lorain township, Shelby county; Hannah, wife of Jacob Zimmerman, of Newberry township; Harriet, wife of Isaiah Finnefrock, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Eliza, wife of Daniel Swank, of Newberry township; Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years; Ellen, wife of Frank Bronson, of Shelby county; William, who married Sarah Shaffer and died near Bloomer; Orrin, who wedded Jennie Harp and lives in Piqua, and Samuel J., who wedded Lizzie Kelch and makes his home in Darke county.

Josiah Routson obtained his education in the common schools near his home and was later trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm. He assisted his father in the labors of the field at an early age and later learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of Peter Hartle and Reuben Routson. For a short time he followed that business, after which he owned and operated a threshing machine. After his marriage he rented farms in Darke county for two years and then rented land in Newberry township, Miami county, for five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Lorain township, Shelby county, where he remained for ten years, and then purchased seventy-eight acres of land on Stillwater creek in Newberry township, there continuing his business for four years. On the expiration of that time he sold his property and bought one hundred and three acres across the river, continuing the cultivation of that farm for six years; after which he sold, and purchased fifty acres in Newberry township, upon which he lived four years. In October, 1899, he opened his store in Rangeville and has since engaged in general merchandising, his son, Ashley, acting as his clerk. He is also proprietor of a grain elevator there and is railroad agent of the Chicago, Chicago, Hamilton & Dayton road. In addition he filled the office of postmaster and is regarded as one of the most enterprising business men of this section of the county.

Mr. Routson was married in Newberry township, November 1, 1866, to Abbie Swank, daughter of Joshua Swank and unto them have been born the following children: Jacob Wesley, who married Jennie Routson and is living in Newberry township; N. Colvin, who married Emma Deckenhart and resides in Newberry township; Harrison F., a farmer of the same township, who married Lizzie Stayer; Mary C., deceased wife of Ora Rike; Ashley F., who was born December 4, 1876, and was married July 4, 1900, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Routson are widely and favorably known in the locality where they make their home and are esteemed members of the German Reformed church. In his political views Mr. Routson is a stanch Democrat, faithfully upholding the principles of the party. In all business affairs he is reliable and enjoys in a high degree the confidence and respect of his fellow men.