Moses Roush Brittingham
Moses Roush Brittingham, proprietor Hotel Britt, Manchester, was born near the old Campmeeting Grounds in Sprigg Township, September 11, 1837. He is a son of Purnel Brittingham and Mary Bryan, whose maiden name was Cartwright, a daughter of Rev. Andrew Cartwright, a celebrated divine in early days in Adams County. Purnel Brittingham was of Scotch descent, born 1782, and died in 1872. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The subject of our sketch worked as a farm hand in Ross County, Ohio, in his youth, and in 1862, volunteered in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, Col. Israel Garrard, and served until the close of the war, taking part in every important battle in which his regiment engaged.
In 1859, he was married to Mary E. Trotter, daughter of James Trotter, of near West Union. After the war, he kept a small store at Killinstown, and in 1868 conducted a general store at Clayton, moving to Manchester in 1870, where for twenty years he has been in the hotel business. During this time he has handled live stock and produce, and for six seasons sold lightning rods throughout the country. He is at present interested in the buying and shipping of leaf tobacco.
In 1884, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of Sheriff of Adams County, but was defeated by a few votes through the treachery of some persons' who should have been his staunch supporters if fidelity to party and party principles count for aught. . By his energy and integrity he has acquired a competency to support himself and wife in their declining years.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900