Peter T. CLATON

CLATON, MARTIN, BELKNAP, MAIN, MATHENY, HARSH

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/19/2008 at 18:08:18

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1924

DEATH of P. T. CLATON

After an illness of serveral months duration, P. T. CLATON, one of Ringgold county's oldest and most highly respected citizens, passed away at his home in west Mount Ayr Saturday. Due to the infirmities of age, Mr. CLATON had been in declining health for several years, but maintained his happy disposition and in recent months had patiently waited for the call to rest. For fifty years he resided in Ringgold county, during all of which time he was known as a true christian gentleman, his kind good nature and pleasant manner endearing him to all whose good fortune it was to know him. The large attendance at the funeral, which was held Monday forenoon at 11 o'clock from the Methodist church, attested to the high regard in which he was held by friends and neighbors.

Peter T. CLATON was born March 22, 1832, in Clark county, Ohio, and died May 3, 1924, aged 92 years.

He removed to Shelby county, Ohio, in 1839, where he grew to manhood. In 1855 he removed to Beauro county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming.

He was married to Elizabeth MARTIN November 1, 1860, his wife dying February 15, 1861. September 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 7th Kansas Cavalry. In the fall of 1862 on account of trouble with his eye sight he was unable to do calvary (sic) duty and was transferred to the quartermasters department where he served as teamster until his discharge September 25, 1864. After the war he returned to Beauro county, Illinois.

December 25, 1864, he was married to Elizabeth C. BELKNAP. They lived on a farm in Beauro county until spring, 1874, when they came to Ringgold county and located on a farm in Liberty township, where they made their home for forty-one years and reared a family of six children, all living. They are M. L. [Melvin], of Waco, Neb.; Mrs. Chas. E. [Alvira E.] MAIN, John W., Mrs. E. C. [Gertrude] MATHENY, all living in this county; Willard O. CLATON of New Port, Oregeon; Mrs. C. A. [Edith] HARSH of Centerville, Iowa.

In 1915 on account of age they decided to leave the farm, selling out and removing to Mount Ayr, and for the past nine years have lived a retired life.

During his active life, Uncle Peter, as most of his friends called him, aside from his own work always found time for anything that was helpful to the community in which he lived.

He was a member of the M. E. church and the funeral was conducted by his pastor, Rev. Jay KIRKENDALL.

He was a good man and tried to make the world a little better for his having lived in it.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008