Samuel R. Wollerton, deceased, was for many years an enterprising farmer of Elizabeth township, Miami county, and a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family. He was born on a farm which joined his homestead, the date of his birth being November 22, 1836. His parents were Ishmael and Jane H. (Ramsey) Wollerton, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The family is probably of Welsh lineage. Ishmael Wollerton removed from the Keystone state to Miami county about 1833, and on the 1st of March, 1836, was married to Jane H. Ramsey, a daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Fletcher) Ramsey. Their union was blessed with two children: Ziba C., who died in 1858, and Samuel R., whose name introduces this review. The father died during the early boyhood of our subject, but the mother survived until November, 1888, passing away at the age of seventy-six years.

During his early boyhood Samuel R. Wollerton went to live with his maternal grandfather, Samuel Ramsey, who became a resident of Ohio in 1811, locating at Dayton. He was born in Pennsylvania and in that state married Ellen Fletcher, a native of England, who came to America when twelve years of age. After their marriage they located in Lycoming county, whence they removed to Dayton, Ohio. In 18l7 they took up their abode in Elizabeth township, where the grandfather resided until his death. In the war of 1812 he was a soldier in Hull's army. He was a man of great energy and industrious habits, and by the aid of his sons he cleared and improved over one hundred acres of land. His home farm comprised two hundred acres. He died in September, 1860, respected by all who knew him. His brother, Allen Ramsey, also came to Miami county about the time of his arrival, and was here married to Hannah Carson. He then took up his abode on the McCoole farm, where he died in middle life. His widow afterward married again and removed to the west with her children. Samuel Ramsey had a family of nine children, but only one is now living, Harriet, the widow of Jacob Wesler, of Tippecanoe City.

Samuel Wollerton spent his boyhood in the usual manner of farm lads, aiding in the work of the fields from the time that he was old enough to handle the plow. After he had arrived at man's estate he was married on the 24th of December, 1863, to Miss Sarah Ann McManus, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret McManus, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Miami county in the spring of 1847. Her father was of Scotch-Irish descent and was married in the Keystone state. On his arrival in Ohio he took up his abode on what is known as the Squire Dye farm in Elizabeth township, where he remained for twenty-seven years. His death occurred at the home of his daughter in Tippecanoe City, as the result of blood poisoning, caused by an accident. He was then sixty-four years of age. The mother of Mrs. Wollerton had died soon after her arrival in Miami county, when only thirty years of age, and Mr. McManus afterward wedded Sarah Jane Wrigley, whom he survived about two years. In his family were eight children, four of whom are still living in Miami county, namely: William, of Tippecanoe; Albert, a farmer of Monroe township; Lavinia, wife of Joseph Bouseman, of Tippecanoe City, and Iva, wife of Peter Eidemiller, of Monroe township.

After his marriage Mr. Wollerton purchased the Wesley Heywood farm, upon which he lived for eight years, when, in connection with his mother, he purchased the old Ramsey farm, which had belonged to her father, the purchase price being one hundred dollars per acre. Upon the old family homestead the mother resided until her death, and it was also the home of Mr. Wollerton until he was called to his final rest. The house which stands upon the place was erected in 1826 by Samuel Ramsey, and additions were made to it in 1855. The first part is one of the oldest homes in the county and antedates all other brick houses now standing in Elizabeth township. Mr. Wollerton successfully carried on agricultural pursuits, the well tilled fields ever indicating his careful supervision and his progressive methods of farming. Good buildings and modern machinery indicated that he was in touch with advanced agricultural methods and his labors were crowned with a creditable degree of prosperity.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wollerton were born two children: Harry H. and Jennie R., the latter now the wife of Sedate Frey, a farmer of Bethel township. Mr. Wollerton was a charter member of the Cove Springs Grange and served as its treasurer from its organization until his death. His political support was given the Democracy, but he never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. He died after a very brief illness, on the 15th of October, 1881, and the entire community mourned his loss, for he was a valued citizen and a man whom to know was to respect and honor.

Harry H. Wollerton, his only son, was born in Staunton township, and was about fifteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He and his mother have since operated the farm and have remained together, for he is unmarried. His business and executive ability have enabled him to successfully control his farming interests, and he is recognized as one of the enterprising young agriculturists in Elizabeth township. In addition to this he takes great interest in music and is a recognized leader in musical circles in this section of the county. He is a violinist of marked ability and conducts a little orchestra of four pieces, their services being in frequent demand at social functions and party entertainments. He teaches music, making a specialty of the violin, but performs well on many instruments. He possesses considerable poetic talent and has composed several songs that have attracted considerable attention, one of them, "The Fate of the Battle Ship Maine," awakening particular interest among the soldiers in Cuba. Mr. Wollerton also takes an active interest in local literary and debating societies and is heartily in touch with all movements and measures tending to promote the esthetic and intellectual advancement of the residents of Miami county.