Asa H. Battin was born on a farm approximately one mile west of Hanover, Columbiana County, Ohio on March 16, 1829 and was the son of John and Sarah (Howard) Battin. He spent his boyhood on the farm and received the rudiments of the common school education in the local school system; at the age of 18 became a teacher in the public schools. At the same time he studied law and was admitted to the practice before the bar in May of 1853.
Except for a brief time when he served as captain of Company K, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War, he continued to practice law. The only political office he held was that of City Solicitor for the City of Steubenville. It is widely reported that in the practice of his profession he made many friends and secured and retained the respect of his associates.
M. W. Brother Battin was made an Entered Apprentice on December 1, 1854 in Perry Lodge No. 185. He was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on January 6, 1855 and raised a Master Mason on February 3, 1855. He served Perry Lodge as Secretary in 1855 and 1856, as Senior Warden in 1857. On December 15, 1858 he dimitted from Perry Lodge No. 185 and affiliated with Wellsville Lodge No. 180 on January 17, 1859. He served Wellsville Lodge No. 180 as Worshipful Master in 1860, 1861, and 1863 and dimitted therefrom about 1865. He reaffiliated with Wellsville Lodge No. 180 on 18 March 1867, dimitting therefrom again on August 16, 1869. He thereupon affiliated with Steubenville Lodge No. 45 on October 7, 1869.
He was elected and served the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio as Senior Grand Warden in 1869 and 1870; Deputy Grand Master in 1871 and Grand Master in 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1875.
He was a member of the Chapter and the Commandery in Steubenville and was also a member of the ancient and accepted Scottish Rite.
Immediately following his term of office as Grand Master of Mason in of Masons in Ohio, controversy arose between M. W. Brother Battin and the Grand Lodge of Ohio concerning certain funds that were due the Grand Lodge of Ohio by Brother Battin. The controversy simmered for a few years and the eventual outcome is recorded in the 1886 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge: At the last Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge a commission was appointed, consisting of your Grand Master and Past Grand Masters Jos. M. Goodspeed, W.M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, and Charles C. Kiefer, to take action in the case of M. W. Brother Asa H. Battin, who was delinquent to Grand Lodge. On December 28th last a meeting of the commission was held in Steubenville, the home of Brother Battin, at which every member was present. A careful investigation of the case satisfied us that Brother Battin had experienced serious financial difficulties, against which he had struggled manfully, and that his inability to liquidate the claim earlier was extremely mortifying to him. The commission, therefore, unanimously agreed to offer the brother an opportunity to settle the claim by giving his note, with approved security, for the principal only. A recent fortunate turn of circumstances, which was fully and satisfactorily explained to the commission, enabled the Brother to make a draft to my order for the amount, which, on the following day, was presented and paid, and the proceeds turned into your treasury. I have full confidence to believe that you will give your hearty approval to our action.
Brother Battin remained in good standing in Steubenville Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Ohio until August 25, 1891 when he was suspended for non-payment of dues. On May 15, 1894 he was reinstated.
Death came to M. W. Brother Battin in the City of Steubenville on June 3, 1896. In this connection the following extract from an editorial published in one of the leading papers of his city appears appropriate:
“In every-day contact with his fellow man, Mr. Battin was not only one of the most agreeable men in the world, but his well stored mind was always ready to give of its wealth to the casual companion who might otherwise have been listening to vain discourses on the weather; he did his own thinking, and consequently had information ready at hand. Moreover, in expressing opinions or making statements of fact, his grave manner and calm utterance carried the weight of conviction, and the mind of his hearer was invariably impressed. He possessed the judicial turn in eminent degree, and had he been so called would not only have graced the bench but have won enviable distinction as a jurist; as it was, his legal opinions were always much regarded by his fellows of the Bar, and frequently he was called upon for counsel and advice in difficult cases, involving fine points of the law. His death is a real loss to the community and to the profession of which he was an honored member, and the regret expressed on every side is as sincere as it is general, as are also the many expressions of sympathy for the family and especially for the devoted wife who, in a sense, is left alone in her sorrow, each daughter being the presiding genius of a happy home of her own.”
M. W. Brother Battin was laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Section H, Lot 11, Steubenville, Ohio on June 6, 1896.