James H. Walton

As printed in 1902

JAMES H. WALTON.

Agriculture finds in Tymochtee township, Wyandot county, Ohio, one of its ablest and most skillful representatives in the person of the subject of this sketch, who was born on his father’s farm in this township April 26. 1831, and is a son of

'Matthew and Catherine (Shepler) Walton, who settled here among the pioneers and Indians in 1827 and were largely instrumental in clearing up the land from the wilderness and in developing the civilization which at this day blessed Crawford county, of which Wyandot county was then a part, and of which civilization Wyandot county now has its full share.

Matthew W alton was a native of Allen county, X. J.. was born October 20, 1707, and there grew to manhood. In 1818 he came to Ohio and located in Ross county, his father, William Walton, being the leader of this movement. There he married Miss Shepler August ti. 1819. This lady was a native of Pennsylvania, born November 20. 1799. After clearingup a farm from the woods and suitably improving it, Mr. Walton resided in Ross county until 1827, when he came to Wyandot county, then a part of Crawford county, driving across the country with a team. He bought eighty i acres in the woods in section 10. Tvmochtee township, on which he lived a short time only and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 27. deep in the woods, without a road within miles. Here he erected a cabin of round logs, in which he passed the remainder of his life, dying June 1. 1860, his wife having passed away March 12, 1854. Mr. Walton was a very public-spirited man, voted the Republican ticket, and did all in his power to aid public improvements, such as the laying out of roads, etc.

To Matthew and Catherine (Shepler) Walton were born ten children, in the following order: Sarah Ann, born May 1.

j 1820, died June 2. 1860; William, born June 15, 1822, died November 15, 1822; Richard, born April 10. 1826; Irvin, born October 20. 1828; James H., the subject of this sketch; Cassandra, born November 10, 1835: Daniel, born September 8, 1837. died in Des Moines, Iowa; and Matthew, born March 8. 1841, deceased.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

- ate son, and on October 26, 1854. he married Miss Barbara Coon, who was born in Sycamore township, March 20, 1831. She was a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth ( Heckenthorn ) Coon, the former of whom was born January 23. 1803, and the latter August 30, 1807. Mrs. Walton was called away September 6. 1900. and left three children, viz: John Orlenthus, who married

Mary Cletus Gribben. but still lives with his father and owns the old homestead; Adam, who is married to Mary E. Buck, and has two children, Grace F. and F water Bixby Walton: Laura E., wife of Henry Houck, of Columbus. Ohio, the mother of two children. Hazel P. and Barbara C. John O. supplemented a good common-school education by attendance at the Ada Xormal Institute and also at Lebanon College. He has made a specialty of mathematics, of which science he is very fond. For over twelve years he has successfully taught school in Wyandot county, and has as such earned for himself a splendid reputation. Aside from pedagogy, he has also spent much time in Pennsylvania in the capacity of a salesman. As stated above, he also operates the old home place.

On marrying Mr. Walton lived on the old home farm for one year, then lived in Sycamore township while; he next returned to the old homestead and at the death of his father purchased the place, which comprised two hundred acres, of which he has sold forty acres to Elias Ellis. Mr. Walton also owned a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, of which he sold fifty-seven acres to Joseph VanDcren, and later sold a small tract to another party, leaving his son Adam the possessor of seventy-three acres. Mr. Walton carries on general farming. and also fatten and sells stock. Of recent years he has lived a retired life. His farm is nicely improved and is under a high state of cultivation; everything is neat and tidy and Mr. Walton is recognized as one of the best agriculturists in Tvmochtee township, if not in the county of Wyandot.

In politics Mr. Walton is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, the Whig candidate, and has never since found reason to change his ad-

I ference to the party, but has never sought an office of any kind. He is a member of the Evangelical church, but belongs to no secret societies. In the church, however, he is very active, and for the forty years in which he has been a communicant has liberally aided financially in its support and for many years has been superintendent of the Sunday school.

Since the loss of his life-companion. Mr. Walton has led a retired life, but he has not lost his interest in the progress and well-be- 1 ing of his township and freely contributes of his means toward every project designed for i the township’s weal. He is highly respected j by his neighbors, and is regarded all over ' the township as one of its best and most ! prominent citizens, and this is a reputation he certainly is entitled to. as all admit.

As printed in Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.