TILTON, Henry Leach

TILTON, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 23:31:19

Biography ~ Henry Leach Tilton

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 679-80:

HENRY L. TILTON, one of the active and enterprising business men of Lamoni, was born in Norridgewock, Somerset County, Maine, October 29, 1842, his parents Ira and Rebecca Tilton, being natives of the same State. He was reared a farmer, receiving such education as was common to farmer boys of that State. The Pine Tree State ws his home until 1876, when he joined his eldest brother, Colvin, at Allendale, Worth County, Missouri, who had come West before the war, and become a very successful business man. Henry L. Tilton came West without capital, but possessed of good business qualifications and a determination to succeed. After two years with his brother on a salary he became a partner in the profits of his general mercantile business, the brothers continuing in business together until 1881, when our subject withdrew from the firm, and established his present mercantile business at Lamoni in April that same year, in which he has prospered, having a fair share of the trade of Lamoni. He carries a general stock of family supplies, and is popular as a merchant, having, by his courteous and obliging manners, built up a good trade which is constantly increasing. Besides his business property he owns his residence and a block of city lots, and is classed among the well-to-do citizens of Lamoni. Mr Tilton was married at Davis City, in April, 1882, to Miss Emma Smith, who was born at Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1847, a daughter of Alvah Smith, deceased. Her mother is also deceased. In politics Mr. Tilton affiliates with the Democratic party. He is at present a member of the city council of Lamoni, and trustee of Fayette Township. Of his brothers, Cornelius A. Tilton went to California, in 1851, where he accumulated great wealth, and Benjamin L. lives in Maine. Henry L., our subject, was the youngest of his father's family.

NOTE: Henry died on March 18, 1922. Emma was born on March 27, 1946, and died November 4, 1903. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni IA.

Transcribed by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historial Society Musuem, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014