Hylton, Benjamin A.

HYLTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 15:36:55

BENJAMIN A. HYLTON
born Apr 9, 1855, Indiana

B. A. Hylton, the popular Clerk of Virginia township, Warren county, Iowa, is well known throughout the county and needs no introduction here. The Hyltons were among the first settlers of Virginia township. Nathaniel and Scytha (Tincher) Hylton left their home in Hendricks county, Indiana in the year 1857, and with their four children moved out to Iowa, then a frontier State. Their journey hither was made in a wagon drawn by two horses, they crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, and in due time landed at their destination in Warren County. That was in the month of May. They at once became prominent factors in the pioneer settlement, devoting their energies to improving the land upon which they settled in Virginia township and at whatever promised to be of benefit to the community. Of this worthy pioneer couple, the father was born in the Old Dominion. It was in Floyd county, Virginia, March 27, 1811, that Nathaniel Hylton first saw the light of day, and early in life he removed to Indiana, where he met and married Miss Scytha Tincher. Their union resulted in the birth of the following children: John W., who died at the age of thirty-nine years and is buried in the New Virginia cemetery; J. F., a prosperous and respected farmer on section 17 of Virginia township this county; Samantha J., who resides at the home place with her mother and has charge of the household affairs; B. A., the immediate subject of this article; and S. of Elmwood, Cass county, Nebraska. Nathaniel Hylton united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was ever true to the cause of Christianity. After a long and useful life, the good father passed away, the date of his death being July 25, 1882. A mound and an appropriate stone in the New Virginia cemetery mark his last resting place. He was a man of many excellent traits of character, was domestic in his tastes, was the soul of integrity and his hospitality was unbounded. None were ever turned away empty-handed from his door. The good Christian lady who shared with him the many vicissitudes of pioneer life has survived him, still maintains her residence at the old homestead, and in her declining years is a comfort to her children. Although feeble and afflicted with heart trouble, she is uncomplaining, and her sunny face and happy smile are an inspiration. The casual observer would not take note of her sufferings. She was born in Clark county, Kentucky, January 10, 1826, and her nearly seventy years have been years of activity and great usefulness. Many are her delightful reminiscenses of early life here. She united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in early life and is still a faithful member.
Her son, B.A. Hylton, “ Ben,” as he is familiarly known, was only two years old at the time of their removal to this State. He was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, April 9, 1855, was reared in Warren county, is tall and comely in appearance, and together with his fine physique is combined a strength of character, Of a studious nature, he has acquired something more than the ordinary attainments, and the good people of his township have shown wisdom in their selection of him for Township Clerk. He has also served as Constable. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic order and his membership in the lodge at New Virginia. Mr. Hylton is unmarried. He has charge of the farming operations at the old homestead and resides with his mother and sister. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.379