JAMES P. WALTON

The life record of James P. Walton is a credit to the history of a family that has long figured conspicuously and honorably in connection with the agricultural development of Cedar county. He was born in Sugar Creek township on the 22d of June, 1861, and was second in a family of six children whose parents were James C. and Caroline (Copeland) Walton. The father, now deceased, was a son of the first white settler of the county. The mother is still living and makes her home with her children.

The associations of boyhood as well as of manhood have brought James P. Walton into close connection with the interests of Sugar Creek township, for he has always resided within its borders. Here he enjoyed the sports in which youths of the period indulged, and in the public schools he acquired a knowledge that fitted him for life’s practical duties. He was also trained in the work of the home farm and continued with his father until his marriage, when he started out in life on his own account. In the second year after his marriage he came to his present home, which is an excellent tract of land of two hundred and forty acres on sections 24 and 25—originally a part of his father’s estate. It is known as Elm Grove Farm, so named because of a grove of trees, mostly elm, that is near the house. The home commands a fine view of the surrounding country and, looking to the south, one is able to see for a distance of twenty miles. The place is situated on the Iowa City and Davenport state road, which was the old stage route. Here Mr. Walton carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Percheron horses, of which he has about thirty head, all of high grade. He is also engaged quite extensively in raising hogs and his livestock interests are an important and profitable feature of his business. He has just completed a beautiful fourteen-room modern dwelling, has good outbuildings upon his place, and his well improved property is indicative of his progressive spirit, for all of the buildings are new and have been erected by him.

In 1888 Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Clara Port, who was born in Sugar Creek township in 1868 and is a daughter of Theodore and Susannah (Doerr) Port. They are an old Cedar county family, having come here in the ‘50s, and they now reside in Wilton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walton have been born seven children: Clarence P., Harry C., Vernon C., Franklin T., George D., William P. and James E., who are all at home. In his business affairs Mr. Walton manifests a determined spirit that brings success where a man of less resolute spirit would fail. He watches carefully every detail of the business and as the years pass by is making substantial and gratifying progress. In politics he is a republican and has served as commissioner of his township for some years.