Albert Hilton

page 290

The name borne by this gentleman has been a familiar one in Appanoose and Monroe counties ever since their organization as bodies politic, and the Hilton family has been an influential one in this section from the time that Iowa was admitted into the Union as a state. In fact, the history of the founder is largely a history of Monroe county, as he came here when the Indians were still in possession, and only three years after Iowa was given existence as a territory. No apology therefore is necessary for dwelling at some length upon the biographical details of this early pioneer, as they will prove interesting to all who enjoy stories of the “olden time.”

James Hilton, who was destined to become such a prominent citizen of the future Iowa, was born in Orange county, New York, July 9, 1816. Nine years later he was taken by his parents to New York city, there grew to manhood and in October, 1841, left his native state to identify himself permanently with the rapidly developing region beyond the Mississippi. Travel then was mostly by the rivers, and after a tedious journey across intervening states the young voyager found himself on one of the small steamers used at that time for navigating the great “Father of Water.” On this boat he ascended the Mississippi to a little town called Keokuk and situated in what was then known as the Black Hawk Purchase.

The landing at this point was made on the 20^th of November, 1841, or only three years after Iowa territory had been organized, and when white men were not allowed to occupy the land west of the Purchase. What is now Monroe county was at that time the hunting grounds of roving tribes or red men. Owing to the unsettled condition of affairs young Hilton went to Missouri and remained there until September, 1842, when he returned to be present at the Iowa Indian agency when the treaty was negotiated between the national government and the Sac and Fox Indian tribes.

The negotiations resulted in the purchase and throwing open for settlement of all the territory extending from the west line of Jefferson to the Missouri river, comprising more than two-thirds of the present state of Iowa. The young easterner was much impressed with what he saw on this occasion, and often in after life detailed the circumstances to parties of friends. The aboriginal owners of the land, yielding to inexorable fate and overwhelming odds, were assembled to bargain away under duress their hereditary homes and yield the land they loved to the hated pale face. The chieftains present at these negotiations bore names that have been perpetuated throughout Iowa to designate different political divisions of the state, but this is all that remains of that romantic race which roamed at will over all the boundless prairies of the west. Among the mighty chiefs taking part in this sad and solemn ceremony were Keokuk, Mahaska, Powshiek, Wapello, Pashpaho, Hardfish and Appanoose.

After the conclusion of this historic treaty, young Hilton returned to Missouri and remained there until May, 1843, in which time the Indians were to vacate so much of the territory as extended westward to a line agreeing with the west line of what is now Monroe county. He then came back, and the picture presented on his return so impressed his imagination that it remained a vivid recollection to his dying day. The country was still in all its virgin newness and wild grandeur. Herds and flocks of wild game, the great open country without habitation, houses, fences or any other indication of civilization—such was the panorama unfolded before James Hilton in the spring of 1843.

But this young man was there for practical rather than sentimental purposes, and the urgencies of the situation left him little time for moralizing; the main thing was to secure a home, and he at once made claim to a tract of excellent land, containing at that time two hundred and eight acres, on which he soon had erected the small log cabin so characteristic of as well as so indispensable to the early pioneer. On this place, which, however, underwent many changes in the way of buildings and other improvements, James Hilton resided during the long period that intervened between his first coming and his final call to rest nearly sixty years later.

These years were marked by great activity both in public life, and during the time he held many offices of trust, which were administered with ability and unswerving integrity. He was the first clerk of the district court of Monroe county, having been appointed by Judge Charles Mason, in March, 1846. In April, 1857, he was elected judge of Monroe county, which necessitated his removal to Albia, where he resided for several years in a hewed log house in West Benton street.

While occupying the position of judge he built the court house at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, and was warmly commended by the people for the economic judgment displayed in its construction. In October, 1871, he was elected to represent Monroe county in the fourteenth general assembly and acquitted himself as a legislator with the same discretion he always exhibited on the bench. He was an authority on all things relating to the early settlers and the history of Monroe county, and it was a rare treat to hear him relate stories and describe incidents of the remarkable times which have long since passed away never more to be seen of men. In the spring of 1860 Judge Hilton gave up his residence at Albia and returned to his beloved home in the country, where death overtook him on the 9^th day of January, 1902, more than sixty years after he first set foot on the soil of Monroe county.

In September, 1845, Judge Hilton was married to Mary E. Rankin of Davis county, with whom he lived in utmost harmony and affection until she was called from the scenes of earth in 1875. The union proved as fruitful as it was happy and of the twelve children all of the seven sons and three of the five daughters are still living. It is with Albert Hilton, one of the elder sons, that this biography is more immediately concerned, and some particulars concerning him will now be given.

He was born in the old historic homestead in Monroe county, Iowa, April 8, 1853, and was trained to farm life under the excellent instruction of his honored father. He received a good education as he grew up, and upon reaching manhood was well qualified fort he duties which it was his destiny to discharge during his lifetime. His ambition had always been to succeed in the higher branches of agriculture, and his wishes in this respect have been amply fulfilled. After securing a home of his own and one hundred and sixty acres of land as a basis of operations, Mr. Hilton soon developed his qualities as a farmer and breeder. Turning his attention to blooded stock, he soon had one of those fine thoroughbred herds for which Iowa has so long been famous, and to-day he ranks as one of the most successful breeders of Monroe county. He has never aspired to office, but devoted all his time to the prosecution of his agricultural interests, and is a pronounced Democrat, but in local affairs votes for the best man.

May 15, 1884, Mr. Hilton married Miss Mary A. Arnold, a member of another of the old and highly respected families of Monroe county. Her father, Willis Arnold, was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, October 13, 1809, being the ninth child of a family of twelve sons and one daughter, all of whom grew up, married and had families; the last survivor is Mrs. Eliza J. Deal, a widow, who lived for some time with a daughter at Magnolia, Iowa. In 1816 Willis Arnold went with his parents to Washington county, Indiana, and later removed to near the town of Greencastle, where in 1835 he was married to Martha Rice Reed. There were nine children by this union, the three survivors being Elizabeth A. Noble, Eliza J. Sylvester, both residing at Albia, and Marcus T. Arnold, a prominent business man of Burlington, Kansas.

In the fall of 1850 Willis Arnold came with his family to Albia and in the fall of 1853, was elected to the office of sheriff of Monroe county. He joined the Christian church at Greencastle, Indiana, in 1835, and at his house in Albia the first Christian organization was made. His first wife died a few months after this event, and in 1853 Mr. Arnold married Zerelda Robinson, of Indiana, by whom he had four children, and the three now living are Mrs. Mary (Arnold) Hilton, Martha L. Waugh of Lucas county, and Albert G. Arnold of Fairfield, Nebraska. The father died February 24, 1899, at his home in Albia, when well advanced in the ninetieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hilton have one son, Carl A., who was born January 6, 1888, has developed already into a zealous student and gives promise of a career in life that will reflect credit upon his honored ancestry. The family are members of the Christian church and highly respected in the best social circles of the county, as well on their own merits as because of the respect felt by all the people for the memory of their pioneer fathers.