in 1761, and died at Clinton, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1843. The family is now well distributed over the United States and includes many honorable names in business and professional circles.
Jason T. Stanton received his early education in a log schoolhouse, which was provided with slab benches, puncheon floor and stick chimney, but from such an institution have come many of the noblest characters in American history. After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was a little past eighteen years of age, he started out in life on his own account. Possessing the pioneer instinct, he was attracted to the Minnesota frontier and located a claim upon government land in McLeod county, near the town of Hutchinson. He built a cabin upon his place and while in Minnesota passed through many exciting experiences. He was there at the time when Hutchinson was surrounded by a band of Sioux Indians and a number of the inhabitants were killed. He had previously received an invitation to come into the fort which had been prepared for the protection of the town, but as he had been associated with the Indians on friendly terms he had no fear of them and therefore remained at his cabin. A large band of Sioux in full war regalia camped in the woods in the immediate region of Mr. Stanton's cabin, and he did not hesitate to go out and meet them, being able to extend friendly service to their old chief. He was well received and left entirely unmolested. After spending four years in Minnesota he sold his claim to a brother and returned to Ohio, being subsequently connected with a Mr. Deming in mercantile business in Wayne county, Pennsylvania.
While in the Keystone state he enlisted in 1864 in Company I, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was assigned to duty under General Phil Sheridan, serving under that redoubtable commander for nine months. After receiving his honorable discharge he ran a wholesale merchandise wagon in Ohio, but in 1866 he removed to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and forty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated with highly satisfactory results. In 1892 he retired from active farming and removed to Collins, where he has since lived. He has disposed of his Jasper county farm and now owns a valuable place of one hundred and twenty acres in Collins township, three and one-half miles northwest of the town.
On the 18th of December, 1869, Mr. Stanton was united in marriage to Miss Naomi E. Petefish, a native of Cass county, Illinois, whose parents became residents of Jasper county, Iowa. Four children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, namely: Charles N., who is now living on his father's farm ; Cora Belle, deceased ; J. T., also deceased ; and Jessie M., the wife of W. F. Deming of Hale county, Texas.
Mr. Stanton gives his earnest adherence to the republican party and in Jasper county served for six years most acceptably as justice of the peace. He is not connected with any religious denomination, being friendly to them all, but his estimable wife is an active worker in the Methodist