Biography - GEORGE C. WALTON

George C. Walton, now deceased, who for many years was well known as a farmer of Macoupin county, was born in Honey Point township, March 12, 1855. He was a son of George Walton, who was born in Staffordshire, England, and on the 4th of January, 1829, married Anna Lippitt at Birmingham, England, both of them being of good English stock. They emigrated to America in 1831 and for two years Mr. Walton engaged in the gold refining business at New York city. Believing that more favorable conditions existed in the west, he came to Illinois with his wife in 1833 and took up eighty acres of government land in Honey Point township, Macoupin county, east of Carlinville. Later he purchased three hundred acres in Shaws Point township and in 1872 acquired eighty-four acres on section 1, Brushy Mound township, where he established his homestead. He died May 1, 1884, and is buried on the old home farm. He was for more than fifty years a resident of Macoupin county and gained acknowledged standing as one of its most respected citizens. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Walton were seven children; Harriett, who married Thomas Morgan, a farmer of this county, both of whom are deceased; Jane, who married Peter Rose, who also engaged in farming in Macoupin county, both having passed away; Sarah, of Carlinville, the widow of Samuel Huddleston, a farmer of Brushy Mound township; William, who is deceased; Emmer, the wife of Dennis Murphy, who is engaged in farming near Nilwood; Cecelia, who married James Rose, a farmer of Palmyra, both of whom died seventeen years ago within a week of each other; and George C., of this review.

After completing his preliminary education in the district schools, George C. Walton attended Blackburn University at Carlinville and then gave his attention to the home place, remaining with his parents until after his marriage. He was then presented by his father with the farm of eighty-four acres on section 1, Honey Point township, and took up his home there, showing an energy and efficiency in his business that produced substantial annual returns. He was a general farmer and, as he had been thoroughly trained in the most acceptable methods of agriculture and stock-raising and took a lively interest in his work, he gained a place as one of the most progressive men in the township.

On November 4, 1878, Mr. Walton married Miss Mary Emma Lawrence, only daughter of James P. and Elizabeth (Kell) Lawrence, and by this union eight children were born. James Herbert married Cecelia Slutts, of Belleville, Kansas. They have two children: Leland, who was born October 24, 1907 and Mary, born October 9, 1909. Elizabeth May is the wife of Fred C. Bangert, a farmer of Carlinville township. They have one child, George Philip, who was born April 8, 1908. Luella is now living with her mother. Mary is the wife of David Oiler, a clerk in a mercantile establishment of Litchfield. They have one child, David Francis, who was born June 9, 1909. Viana and Carrie both died in infancy. George W. has arrived at the age of twenty years and is living at home. McKinley is seventeen years old and is also living at home. He was named after President William McKinley, of whom the father was a great admirer.

Mr. Walton died at the home place September 28, 1901, being then in the forty-seventh year of his age and in the height of his usefulness. His demise occasioned general regret in a wide region with which he had been familiar from his boyhood. Politically he gave his support to the republican party. He took an active part in public affairs and served as highway commissioner two terms, township supervisor two terms and for thirteen years as member of the board of directors of district No. 72, Brushy Mound township. He was a sincere believer in the Bible and an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shaws Point township. Fraternally he was identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor of Womac. After the death of her husband Mrs. Walton moved to Carlinville with her children, but five months later returned to the farm, where she has since lived. On December 3, 1904, she was married to John Kelly, a son of a veteran of the Civil war, who was born in Ireland. Mr. Kelly has charge of the home farm, which he is cultivating to excellent advantage. Mrs. Kelly and her daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shaws point township except Mary, who belongs to the Christian church at Litchfield. The mother is also connected with the Mutual Protective League of Womac and can claim a host of friends in a region where she has been favorably known for many years.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 494-497.