My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT A. WALTON. Mr. Walton is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be a farmer, for owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path and to his adoption of new and improved methods, together with industry and good judgment, he has met with more than the average degree of success in pursuing his calling. He is now the owner of one hundred and seventy-nine acres on sections 9 and 16, Niles Township, and although the most of it was improved when he settled on it, it is now in a fine state of cultivation and is one of the finest places in the township.

Our subject was born in Sussex County, Del., near Milford, November 11, 1832, and his father, Joseph Walton, was also a native of that State. The latter was married in his native State to Miss Eliza A. Houston, of Delaware, and farming was his principal occupation in life. Mrs. Walton’s father, Clemont Houston, was a product of Delaware soil also, and in that State spent his entire life. After marriage the parents of our subject farmed for a number of years in their native State, but in March, 1836, removed to Michigan, locating in Howard Township, Cass County, on a farm. About three years afterward the father was killed by a falling tree. His wife followed him to the grave when about eighty-three years of age. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, six of whom are now living.

Of the above-mentioned children, our subject was the seventh child and fourth son. He was about four years of age when he came with his parents to Cass County, Mich., and as a consequence all his recollections are of this State. His time was divided in youth between assisting to clear the farm and in attending the district school, and he remained under the parental roof until about seventeen years of age. When starting out for himself he worked by the month on a farm, and then spent one year in a carding-mill. The breaking out of the Civil War filled him with patriotism, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Michigan Infantry. Four years of his life were passed in fighting for the Stars and Stripes, and he participated in many hard-fought battles. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, took an active part in the battle of Shiloh, and was wounded at Clarendon, Ark., a piece of shell striking his shoulder. In March, 1866, he received his discharge at Jackson, Mich., after which he returned to Cass County and engaged in farming.

In October, 1866, our subject was married to Miss Melvina Kibble, a native of Berrien County, Mich., of which State her parents were early settlers, locating in the same about 1828. In the spring of 1867 Mr. Walton bought his present farm. This was then in an undeveloped state, only a log house on the place, but the young couple went actively to work to cultivate and improve it. By their marriage were born six sons: Byron A., a graduate of South Bend Business College, who is now a stenographer and type-writer in that city; Jay E., who is at home; Herbert, Roy, Dwight and Arthur. All the children were born on the farm where our subject now lives. Formerly a Republican in his political views, Mr. Walton is now a Prohibitionist, he is a member of Frank Graves Post No. 164, G. A. R., at Niles, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Niles, being a Steward and Trustee in the same.