AUSTIN KNOWLTON, P. O. Adrian, one of the pioneer farmers of Big Spring Township, this county, was born in Massachusetts November 15, 1809, son of Timothy and Rhoda Knowlton, of English descent, natives of Massachusetts, where they were married and remained until the former's death in 1823. The family then came to Wyandot County, Ohio, and after residing there some years moved to Big Spring Township, this county, where Mrs. Knowlton died at the age of eighty-six years. Our subject has resided in this county since 1830. He was united in marriage, December 27, 1839, with Louisa McKenzie, by whom he had five children, only one now living, Mark L., born November 1, 1841. Mrs. Knowlton departed this life in September, 1848, and Mr. Knowlton then married, October 11, 1856, Mrs. Sarah E. Swigart, widow of Josiah Swigart, and born in Newark, Ohio, January 19, 1819, daughter of Titen and Elizabeth Henderson, the former deceased, the latter living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. To our subject and wife were born four children: Richard J., born April 17, 1858, married to Ida S. Gladstone May 8, 1884; Frank Y., born May 7, 1860; Lucy S., born January 5, 1862, and Mary L., born September 26, 1863. In early days Mr. Knowlton served as captain in the militia regiment of which ex-Gov. Fosters father was colonel. He has always engaged in farming, and now owns 160 acres of good land, most of which he has helped to clear. Mrs. Knowlton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Trancribed by Bonnie Walsh.
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1886
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Part IV, p.723
BIG SPRING TOWNSHIP