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William S. Addleman, one of the successful farmers of Wayne County, residing in Franklin Township, was born near Whitewater, October 7, 1827, belonging to one of the pioneer families of the locality. The Addlemans were of German lineage ...
... John M. Addleman, the father of our subject, was born April 14, 1790, and was married November 24, 1813, to Sarah Whitaker, whose birth occurred in 1796. ...
... William S. Addleman remained at home with his parents until twenty-four years of age, continuing to engage in the operation of the home farm even after his marriage. He also learned the trades of carpentering and coopering in his youth, and engaged in the manufacture of flour barrels and kegs. Later he purchased a small farm near Whitewater, and after trading land several times, finally purchased his present farm, which he has occupied since 1870, a period of twenty-nine consecutive years. This is one of the oldest improved farms of the county, having been settled by Isaac Commins, who entered the tract from the government and made his home thereon until his death, which occurred when he was about ninety years of age. He erected the house that is now the home of our subject. It is built of poplar logs and has stood for eighty years, but has been greatly remodeled by the present owner. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty-seven acres of rich land, and in addition to the cultivation of the fields, Mr. Addleman has engaged extensively in the breeding and feeding of hogs for the market. He has also grown many fruits, and has found in both departments of his business a profitable source of income.
Mr. Addleman has been twice married. Before attaining his majority he wedded Judith Townsend, who died seventeen years later. Their children were Charles H., who owns a farm near his father's; Orin Davis, a farmer residing one mile west of the old homestead, who is married and has three children; Sarah Ellen, wife of Jonathan White, who resides near Whitewater, by whom she has seven children; and Anna Jane, wife of James Diehl, a farmer of Franklin Township, Wayne County. On the 17th of March 1866, Mr. Addleman married Miss Ellen Townsend, a sister of his former wife and the eleventh child in the family of twelve children whose parents were Jesse and Ellen (Griffis) Townsend. ...
... Mr. Addleman cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, in 1844, and supported the Whig Party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the Republican Party, whose banner he has since followed. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Middleboro. He is a man of energy, industry and sound judgment, and the success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts.
