My Genealogy Hound

Samuel W. Walton, merchant and lumber dealer and shipper, and postmaster of Diggins, Mo., is a native of the State, born in Cooper County November 25, 1846, and is a son of William P. Walton, who was born in Virginia, and who, about 1838, located in Cooper County, Mo., where he met and married Louisa J. Turley. The latter was also born in Missouri, and is a daughter of Samuel Turley, who was one of the early Kentucky settlers of Missouri. Mr. Walton was engaged in farming in Cooper County for a number of years, and about 1868 moved to Henry County, where he died about 1873. His wife survives him, and resides in Eureka, Kas., with one of her sons. Samuel W. Walton was reared and educated in his native county, and after becoming grown engaged in the mercantile business in La Mine, Mo., where he sold goods and was postmaster for five years. In March, 1882, he moved to Webster County and settled on his present place of residence, which was before the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad was established. He erected him a store-house, and was appointed postmaster of Stella, but at the end of one year resigned, and the office was discontinued. The post-office of Diggins was established in June, 1886, and he was appointed and still serves as postmaster. He built his present business house in 1887, and is carrying on a thriving general mercantile business. He also sells and ships lumber, and handles on an average 1,000 car loads per year. January 1, 1866, he wedded Miss Laura Tyler, who was born and reared in Cooper County, and died May 4, 1880, being a daughter of William Tyler, who was one of the early settlers of Missouri from Virginia. She became the mother of six children: Daisy D., wife of James K. Kibler; Charles B., who is married, and in business with his father; Hattie T., William P., Mollie E. and Jesse B. On Christmas Day, 1883, Mr. Walton married Miss Clara E. Layton, a native of Webster County, and a daughter of T. G. Layton. They have two children, James E. and Freeman. Mr. Walton is a member of the Baptist Church.