Biography of Asa Borton, Jr.

Asa Borton, Jr.
Company B
1845-1922

Asa Borton, Jr. was born March 25, 1845 in Columbiana County Ohio to Asa Borton, Sr. and Elizabeth Hazen. He was the youngest of four sons and six daughters. Asa's family moved to Fulton County in 1848, along with two of his father's brother's, Isaiah and Ezra. This Borton family were prominent Quaker abolitionists. His Uncle, Ezra Borton, was one of the original Garrison Abolitionists who had burned a copy of the U.S. Constitution (because of its protection of slavery). His mother, Elizabeth Hazen, was also an outspoken abolitionist and took a firm stand against the Fugitive Slave law, vowing to go to jail rather than turn in a runaway slave.

When the war started, Asa's brother, Arthur; his brother-in-law, Abija Rodgers; and two of Isaiah's sons joined the 67th Ohio Volunteers. �However, being Hixite Quakers, many of the family saw the Civil War as a war to preserve the Union, and not a war to free the slaves so they remained at home. However, all of that changed in late 1863-4 with the Emancipation Proclamation. In late March 1864, nineteen-year-old Asa and three brothers-in-law (Noah Specht, Michael Shaffer, and Abraham Mason) joined the 60th Ohio Volunteers. All of them were in Captain Eddy's Company B of the 60th Ohio. Asa and his brothers-in-law joined on March 31, 1864. On May 5th, only 35 days later, they were in combat in the Battle of the Wilderness.

Michael Shaffer was the first to die. He contracted "camp fever" in early August 1864 during the first siege of Petersburg and died on August 19th. Abraham (Abe) was the next to die. He was shot in the gut at the Battle of Hatcher's run on Oct 27, 1864 and was sent to the Army hospital at Center Point. Asa was with "Abe" when he died on October 29th. Abraham left a wife and six children. Before Abe died, Asa promised him that he would look out for his family, a promise that he kept until the day he died in 1922. Asa was a leader in raising funds to assist the widows of his fallen comrades.

After returning from the War, Asa married Sarah Hagerman, daughter of Peter and Mary Jane Hagerman (Peter had served in the 80th Ohio). They settled in Dover township of Fulton County, Ohio near Asa's father and his family. Asa and Sarah had three children: Ellis, Arthur, and Elizabeth. Asa built a brickyard, made bricks, and farmed 110 acres. Asa was an outspoken Republican and an active member of the GAR. He and his two sons attended the reunions of the 60th Ohio. Asa died on August 23, 1922 at his home near Tedrow, Ohio and is buried in the Tedrow Cemetery near many of his brothers and cousins that fought with him in their Holy cause.

A special thanks to Lyle Borton for contributing this biography.