For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 692
THOMAS NEWTON....Thomas Newton, who resided within the borders of Muscatine county for more than half a century, was successfully identified with agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and owned three hundred and eighty-one acres of valuable and in Pike township at the time of his demise, which occurred January 12, 1904. He was born in Indiana, April 20, 1820, and was married in that state in March, 1846. Four years later he came to Iowa, arriving in Muscatine county on the 11th of November, 1850. During the first year of his residence here he was busily engaged in the cultivation of rented land, while subsequently he entered a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Pike township, the operation of which claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of his demise he owned three hundred and eighty-one acres of highly improved and productive land in Pike township, having extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase as his financial resources permitted. He was widely recognized as one of the successful and representative citizens of the community and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. A record of his children is given below.Philander Newton, the eldest, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, on the 15th of March, 1847, was but three years of age when brought to this county by his parents. The old family homestead in Pike township has remained his place of residence continuously since, with the exception of the period of eighteen months which he spent as a Union soldier in the Civil war. It was on the 17th of February, 1864, that he became a member of Company A, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which command he participated in the Battles of Atlanta, Georgia, Kenesaw Mountain, and Big Shanty, and also in Sherman's march to the sea. Returning to Davenport, Iowa, he was there honorably discharged on the 25th of July, 1865. In association with others in his father's family he has since operated the home place in Muscatine county and the success which has attended his labors as an agriculturist indicates that his choice of vocation was a wise one.
Waldo Newton was born in Indiana on the 27th of October, 1849, and has lived on the home farm in Pike township since his second year. Since early manhood he has managed and helped to improve the place in association with his brother Philander and sister Ida, the three children now owning the property.
Webster, whose natal year was 1856, remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He has since lived in different counties of Iowa and now makes his home near Columbus Junction, Iowa, where he owns a farm.
Ida, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 30th of April, 1862, lived with her parents until they passed away and since that time has kept house for her brothers on the old homestead place. She owns a third interest in the property, which comprises three hundred and eighty-one acres of rich and arable land.
Thompson, the fifth living child, was born May 15, 1865, on the homestead in Pike township and is still living on a farm in that township. Jesse, the next in order of birth, was born on the same place, June 14, 1867, and now resides at Atkinson, Nebraska. Angeline died in infancy, and Warner when in his seventeenth year.
In politics Thomas Newton was a republican but his aspirations were not in the line of office holding. The cause of education, however, found in him a warm friend and he served as a member of the school board for a time. He passed away January 26, 1891. They were Universalists in religious faith and were both laid to rest in the Watkins cemetery of Pike township. Mr. Newton lived to attain the age of almost eighty-four years and his career was at all times upright and honorable.
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