Kelton, George Bowers

KELTON, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/2/2009 at 16:48:36

Kelton, George Bowers

The proud American title of self-made man can be justly claimed by George Bowers Kelton, who, after a long and very active career, is now living retired in Kellogg, Jasper County. He started in life for himself with practically no aid and with none too great educational advantages, but he had inherited many of the sterling qualities of an old family of the Empire State and he has forged ahead, never permitting cares and responsibilities to thwart him, and on many an occasion, such as when the great war of the Rebellion broke out, he has shown his mettle, and be is justly entitled to the universal respect in which he is held.

George Bowers Kelton, who, after a long and very active career, is now living retired in Kellogg, Jasper County, can justly claim the proud American title of self-made man. He started in life for himself with practically no aid and with none too great educational advantages, but he had inherited many of the sterling qualities of an old family of the Empire state and he has forged ahead, never permitting cares and responsibilities to thwart him, and on many an occasion, such as when the great war of the Rebellion broke out, he has shown his mettle, and he is justly entitled to the universal respect in which he is held.

Mr. Kelton was born in Chemung County, New York, October 24, 1838, and he is the son of Galon and Abigail (Smith) Kelton, the father born at Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, September 17, 1799, and the mother at Tonawanda, Pennsylvania, in 1809. The father attended school in his native state and later taught school two terms; later he devoted his attention to carpentering and the miller's trader. In September 1855, he came to Illinois, where he remained ten years, moving to a farm in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, Iowa, in September 1865, where he remained until his death, October 3, 1875. Politically, he was a Republican, and he was a Free Mason.

There were six children in his family, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: George Bowers, of this review, Sarah Elizabeth, Henry C., Daniel Webster and two daughters who died in infancy.

George B. Kelton of this review attended school in New York until he was seventeen years of age, and then came to Illinois with his father. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served in a very faithful manner until the cessation of hostilities, taking part in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, Knoxville, Tennessee, in which he endured many hardships, having had nothing to eat for many days except small pieces of bread made from bran and water, with now and then parched corn. He was at Greensborough, North Carolina, when the Confederates surrendered, and he was mustered out at Chicago, June 20, 1865.

In September, the same year, he came to Iowa, locating in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, accompanying his father here, and settled one hundred and twenty acres of timberland, which they gradually improved and placed in cultivation, clearing seventy-five acres. They raised general crops, specializing in potatoes, and also raised large numbers of cattle and hogs. They planted a large orchard of excellent variety. Here the subject continued to reside until recently when he moved to a substantial, well-furnished and cozy home in Kellogg, where, in the midst of plenty, he is spending his declining years in comfort. He was a member of the Independent Order of Good Templar, which has now been discontinued. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Kelton has never married. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1061.