Elihu Tipton Eaton - Protector of Clarksburg

Jolly was a township in Washington County, Ohio that was established in 1840. Elihu Tipton Eaton, who was seven years old in 1850, lived on a vast 600 acre farm in Jolly Township with his father David Eaton, mother Hannah Mantle Eaton, 6 brothers and 2 sisters. In 1851 part of Jolly Township was incorporated into Monroe County, Ohio. Then in 1859 the remaining part of Jolly was incorporated into Grandview Township, Ohio. The township of Jolly ceased to exist. 

Elihu was born 15 April 1843 in Ohio. A census from 1860 shows the family living on 400 acres in Wood County, Virginia. Elihu is working the farm along with his father and three brothers. 

26 September 1864 in Wheeling, West Virginia the 17th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized.Only one man in the Regiment died from battle wounds while 24 men were reported to have died from disease. On the 27th of September 1864 the Regiment was marched to Clarksburg, West Virginia where they were tasked with guarding the Railroad and Clarksburg. The Regiment was mustered out on 30 June 1865. Elihu is in Wheeling on 8 September 1864 to enlist in the Union Army. He is assigned to the 17th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company D.

                    Civil War Era photo by Bennett Rider of Clarkburg

Less than a year after he musters out he meets the lovely Mary Elizabeth Melrose and they marry 18 March 1866. A few months later their first child, a son, George William Eaton is born. 

             Marriage Record of Elihu and Mary

On the Northeast side of the North Branch of Lee Creek in Steele Township, Wood County, West Virginia in 1870 lived Elihu Tipton Eaton with his wife and young son. Their nearest Post Office was in Wadesville, West Virginia. He was a farmer and blacksmith, a skill he learned from his father. He farmed his land up until his death 22 October 1912.