My Genealogy Hound

JAMES WALTON. Nearly eighty years have passed over the head of the venerable man who is the subject of this sketch, leaving their impress in the whitening hair and lined features; but while the outward garments of the soul show the wear and tear of years, the man himself is richer and nobler and grander for the experience that each successive decade has brought him. He is one of the prominent farmers of Oronoko Township, and has a comfortable and attractive home within its borders. Honorable and upright in every walk of life, his long career has been without a blot or blemish to mar its whiteness.

Mr. Walton was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1814, and his parents, John and Mary (Shackeleton) Walton, were natives of the same country. The father was a cutter of fustian, corduroy, velveteen, etc., but was also interested in farming. He came to America in 1841, settling in Pittsburg, Pa., and there followed farming for a few years. From there he came to Berrien County, Mich., but after a residence here of a few years returned to Pennsylvania, and died while visiting in that State. He and wife were the parents of six children: Hannah, widow of James Knight, now in Dickson County, Tenn.; James, our subject; John, who died in this county in 1865; Mary Ann, widow of John Lockey, who resides in this county; Priscilla, deceased, who was the wife of James Knight, of Pennsylvania; and Tamar, deceased, the wife of Gilbert Jamison, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Walton died in this State some time previous to the death of her husband.

The schools of Yorkshire, England, furnished our subject with his education, and he remained in his native country until 1830, when he braved Neptune’s tender mercies and came to America. For about a year he was located in the Empire State, and as he came here with limited means he labored by the month on a farm. As he had learned the trade of his father, he attempted to get employment in New York City, but was not successful. From there he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and was employed by a wool dealer, with whom he remained until 1850. Previous to this, in 1842 and 1847, he had made trips to Michigan, and in the latter year purchased his present property, then consisting of four hundred acres, of which a few acres were cleared, and on which was a two-story hewn-log house. This house was not fit for occupancy, and Mr. Walton’s father and brother erected a log house, with the roof sloping only in one direction.

Our subject occupied this house one winter, and in the spring of 1851 he returned to Pittsburg, where he remained until 1854 or 1855. At that date he returned and located permanently on his present property. He paid $4 per acre for his farm, and he now has one hundred and twenty-five acres under cultivation. The remainder is covered with a fine growth of timber. On his farm Mr. Walton raises corn, wheat, oats, grasses and has extensive apple and peach orchards. In carrying on his large farm he does not lose sight of the stock-raising industry, and his broad acres are covered with fine cattle, horses and sheep. His farm is one of the best improved in this section of the county, and everything about it indicates to the beholder that he is a man of progressive ideas and advanced tendencies.

In 1846 this worthy citizen was married to Miss Mary A. Ray, an Irish lady, and the daughter of natives of the Emerald Isle. Her mother in maidenhood was Catherine Hall. Of this family three came to America, viz.: Mary A., wife of our subject; Bessie, deceased, who was the wife of John Wilson; and John, who died in the city of St. Louis. Mary A. and Bessie were twins, and the latter died in St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Walton’s union was blessed by the birth of nine children, five of whom lived to be men and women. These are: Mary A., wife of Edgar Pennell, of this county; Catherine, wife of William Pennell, of this county; Priscilla, wife of C. E. French, also of this county; Carrie, wife of William Flasher, of this county; and Thomas C., who is at home. Three children were born in Pennsylvania, and the remainder in Michigan. Those deceased were named: Sarah, John, James A., and William H. In his political views Mr. Walton is independent, but he believes in Prohibition. Mrs. Walton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.