My Genealogy Hound

JOHN DOOLITTLE, retired, post office Mansfield Valley, was born in West Virginia in 1812, one of a family of eleven children, of whom Jacob and John survive. (See sketch of Jacob Doolittle.) John received his primary education in an old log schoolhouse situated in the woods near his father’s farm, which comprised some two or three hundred acres; and after he had learned his trade, bricklaying, in Waynesburg, Greene county, he attended school again three winters. In 1831 he came to Pittsburgh (which place he had visited with his brother in 1828), and here worked at his trade for a time; then with his brother moved to Birmingham, now known as South Side, and here resided twenty-five years, engaged in bricklaying. Here he served two terms in the town council, one term as school director, and as juryman when the old courthouse stood where the market-house now is, Mr. Grier being judge. Moving to the Brownsville road, in Baldwin township, Mr. Doolittle lived there six years, serving as school director three years; then came to near Mansfield, in Scott township, where he also served as school director three years (war period). He now resides in Mansfield, retired from active work, but superintending his farm, which he had carried on several years.

Mr. Doolittle has been twice married, first in 1836 to Anna Eliza Noble, and second, in 1840, to Elizabeth Duncan. He has had twelve children, four being now deceased. He is a member of the M. E. Church; politically a republican.