Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 608
JAMES O. ALTON

James O. ALTON came to Harrison County in the autumn of 1874, and now resides on section 29, of Jackson Township. For the first six years, he rented land, at the end of which time he purchased his present place, which then consisted of eighty-four acres of wild land, upon which he erected a house, 14x20 feet, with a wing 10x20 feet. He also built the necessary outbuildings, and set out an orchard of twenty-five trees, as well as making the place beautiful, by shade and ornamental trees. To acquaint the reader with the earlier career of this man's life, it may be stated in this connection that he is a son of David F. and Susanah ALTON, natives of New York State, who had ten children, of whom our subject was the youngest. He was born in Hancock County, Ill., in 1854.

In his father's family were the following children--Salome, Harriet, William, Cordelia, David, Benton, Mary A., two deceased and James O. Our subject remained at home until sixteen years of age, at which time his father died, after which he commenced working out by the month, on a farm, following the same until he came to Harrison County. Among the important events to be noted in this man's career, is that of his marriage union, in July, 1877, to Nettie ROSS, the daughter of William and Salena ROSS, who were natives of England, and had a family of nine children. (See sketch of William ROSS.) Our subject and his wife have been blessed with the birth of six children--James A., William V., Byron E., Burt O., one deceased and Stanley. Mr. ALTON is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Lodge No. 389, at Little Sioux, Iowa. In March, 1885, our subject met with a narrow escape, resulting in a serious accident. In company with William SHAW, he was sawing a tree down. A wedge had been placed on the opposite side of the tree from which it was expected to fall. A little chopping was done when the tree fell the contrary way, throwing Mr. ALTON forward with his hand on the stump. The butt of the tree fell and mashed three of his fingers off. Had it not been for the protection of the stump the results might have proven fatal.

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