Dayton, W.H.

DAYTON, MC CORMICK, MATTHEWS, JACKSON

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/9/2020 at 15:14:10

W.H. Dayton is engaged on general farming and stock-raising on section 24, Seventy-Six Township. He is a native of Alleghany County, Md., born May 12, 1835, and is the son of Nicholas and Rebecca (McCormick) Dayton, who were also natives of Maryland. They reared a family of nine children, of whom three are now living: W.H., the subject of this sketch; Mary A., the widow of W.T. Miller, now living in Washington; Maria, the widow of T.M. Gentzler, now living in Columbus City, Iowa. In 1842 Nicholas Dayton left Maryland with his family for Iowa. They first located in Burlington, and in the spring of 1843 came to Washington County, and settled on section 19, Cedar Township, where the father died in 1874. The mother died when W.H. was but a small boy.

The subject of this sketch came to Washington County with his father, and remained at home until February, 1859, when he went to California by way of New York and Panama, being twenty-one days en route from New York to San Francisco. He remained in California until 1869, engaged in mining and lumbering, following the latter occupation for seven years. He was quite successful while in California. When he went to that new Eldorado there was a choice of two routes, by water, and overland by means of teams, the latter requiring several months in making the trip. While in California, the great Union Pacific Railroad was constructed, and on that line of road he returned to Iowa, arriving in his old home in Cedar Township Oct. 19, 1869.

Just before leaving California, on the 3rd of October, 1869, Mr. Dayton was united to Miss Martha J. Matthews, a native of Wisconsin, born May 8, 1846, and daughter of Eugene and Maria (Jackson) Matthews, who were natives of New York. Soon after his arrival with his young bride, Mr. Dayton purchased 160 acres of land on section 24, Seventy-Six Township. When he purchased this land, it was in its wild state, but he immediately went to work to improve it, and to-day has one of the best farms in Washington County. By subsequent purchase he has added 118 acres to his farm, making a total of 278 acres. All the improvements upon the place are of the better class, and Mr. Dayton has reason to be proud of the success that has attended him since his return from the Golden State.

Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dayton: Charley Howard, born Oct. 12, 1871, died Dec. 27, 1876; Nellie B., born Feb. 12, 1876; Orville L., Dec. 5, 1878; Edith, Dec. 13, 1886. Mrs. Dayton is a member of the United Brethren Church. The life of Mr. Dayton is but another illustration of what may be accomplished by the youth of this land. Starting in a life without means, he has toiled on, been economical in his habits, and through his own exertions, assisted by his good wife, has acquired enough of this world’s goods to render him and his comfortable through life. In addition to general farming he is engaged somewhat extensively in stock-raising. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and takes considerable interest in political affairs, always being ready to contribute of his time and means for the success of his party.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of W.H. Dayton, pages 310-311.