G. W. Tilton

H. W. Beckwith, History of Vermilion County (Chicago: H. H. Hill, 1879)

page 647

G. W. Tilton, Catlin, dry-goods, groceries, etc., son of the Rev. Enoch and Elizabeth (Wilson) Tilton came to Vermilion county in 1862, being at that date twenty-six years of age. His first occupation after arriving and locating at Catlin, was to take charge of the Catlin schools, which were under his supervision for four years following this date. He then engaged with Richard Jones in his store as book-keeper and salesman, in the village already mentioned. At the expiration of two years he formed a copartnership with J. C. Sandusky, in a store of general merchandise, under the firm name of Sandusky & Tilton. Five years afterward Mr. S. retired from the firm, selling his interest to L. C. Kyger, the firm name changing to Tilton & Kyger. This copartnership lasted for five years, when Mr. Kyger retired, since which time Mr. Tilton has conducted the business alone. The first five years' business of the firm amounted to but $11,000, but by steady application, good management and indomitable perseverance, the sales have steadily increased until they have reached nearly $50,000 per annum. Mr. Tilton is also interested in two other mercantile houses with his brothers: one at Pilot and another at Palermo, Illinois. In 1862 he became identified with the Vermilion County Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and has since taken an active part in the work and interests of that society. He has served as secretary, vice-president

page 648

and president, filling the latter position for three years, and is its present incumbent. He has also served one term in the county board of supervisors, representing Catlin township. At the age of fourteen years he became a member of the Baptist church, and at sixteen years of age taught his first school. Until his advent in this county, at the age of twenty-six years, he was variously engaged at farming, carpentering, teaching and surveying. In 1862 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Allbright, a native of Ohio. The fruits of this union are Charlie Vigil, Elsie Venus and Bertie Victor, aged respectively, fifteen, thirteen and ten years. According to the best information available, the Tilton family in this country owe their origin to three brothers who came over from England at the same time, during the colonial period of the nation's history. Most, if not all, bearing this name in the United States, trace their ancestry back to this source. Previous to this no knowledge of their predecessors is known. In writing the history of the county, personal sketches of old settlers and some of the more prominent business gentlemen, we deem it but proper to devote at least a short space to the Tilton brothers, five of whom have found a location in Vermilion county. Their father, Enoch Tilton, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of July, 1811, and is of English descent. He was married on the 12th of September, 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who was born on the 12th of January, 1811, and whose ancestry came from Ireland. In 1844 they came to Ripley county, Indiana, where Mr. Tilton has been known for a number of years as a leading minister of the Baptist church. Although now sixty-eight years old, he has the pastoral care of four congregations, and conducts a farm of one hundred and twenty acres.