Hancock County ILGenweb

Frederick M. Walton
Biography

Transcribed by Marcia Siegfried Redding

  

      Frederick M. Walton—This pioneer, of whom a portrait is given in this volume from a photo taken at the age of 65 years, was a native of Mason county, Ky., where he was born Jan. 9, 1809. He was a son of William and Barbara Walton, both natives of Kentucky, and of German and Welsh descent. The subject of this sketch was raised in the occupation of a farmer, which he successfully followed through life. He came to this county in 1835, settling on sec. 3, in Augusta tp., where he remained until his death, April 9, 1880. Mr. Walton was married in Mason county, Ky., in 1831, to Emily Rice, also a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Ezekiel and Fanny (Garnett) Rice, both natives of Virginia, and of German ancestry. From this union there were 8 children, 6 of whom are living. There names are Wesley and John, born in Kentucky, Frances, Matilda, Wm. C., Simeon M. and Malvina, who died aged 2 ½ years, and Moses S., who died aged about 18 years. All those living are settled in life and holding highly respectable positions in society. Mr. Walton had but little means; but possessing in an eminent degree of high order of intelligence, strict integrity and industry, he accumulated a large property, owning at one time about 1,000 acres of land, the most of which he had distributed among his children during his life, leaving the homestead of some 200 acres at his death. On this place his widow now resides with her youngest son, Simeon M. In his younger days, Mr. F. M. Walton participated quite actively in public affairs, and was on various occasions elected to local offices of trust and responsibility, which he filled with honor to himself and fidelity to the public. He was an honest, conscientious man, an excellent neighbor, and a true husband and father, in every sense a good citizen and respected by all who knew him. His remains were laid in the family burial place upon the home farm in Augusta tp. He was a member of the Baptist Church. His funeral was conducted by Elder McCormick, of the Missionary Baptist Church, of Plymouth, assisted by the venerable Joseph Batts, now in his 91^st year, who knew him when a boy in Kentucky.

Page: 527

Title: 1880 History of Hancock County, Illinois

Author: By TH. Gregg

Published by: Chas. C. Chapman & Co.

 

 

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