Hinton, Alfred
BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885
Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.
Page 671
HON. ALFRED HINTON was born in Frederick county, Md., Feb. 15, 1800, being the second child of James and Catharine Hinton, who had a family of 12 children. The ancestors of Mr. Hinton, in consequence of religious persecution, came to America at an early day and settled in the colony of Maryland. Four of the brothers of Catharine Hinton were soldiers in the American army during the Revolution. In 1860, James Hinton, removed with his family to Wellsburg, Va., and, four years after, moved to Delaware county, O. In 1816, he became a resident of Ghent, Gallatin county Ky., where his death occurred in 1819. Mrs. Hinton outlived all her children, except the subject of this sketch, and one son, Otto, who died in California later, and died at the advanced age of 80 years, at Carrollton. Judge Hinton, quite early in life, commenced learning the trade of carpenter, and, in the fall of 1818, came to Edwardsville, Ill. He lived there about two years, and, in Sept., 1821, became a citizen of Green county. In 1822, he entered a tract of land on Apple Creek Prairie, about three miles west of where White Hall now stands. In March of the same year he married Lucretia Pruitt, daughter of William and Sarah Pruitt, and immediately after his marriage he built a cabin and commenced the improvement of his land. Mr. and Mrs. Hinton had 11 children, of whom only five are living - all daughters, and they are married and settled in life. Their son, Emanuel J. Hinton, after his marriage, settled on a farm three miles south of Carrollton, and in Aug., 1858, was murdered within a few rods of his house. Court being then in session, the murderers were promptly arrested, tried, convicted and hung within 30 days. In 1835, Mr. Hinton was elected justice of the peace, and by re-election held that office about 12 years. In the fall of 1842, he was elected a member of the legislature form Greene county. In the spring of 18443, for the purpose of educating his children, he settled in Carrollton, and soon after was appointed postmaster, which office he retained about nine years. In the fall of 1846, he was again elected to the legislature, and in March, 1830 or 31, he superintended the building of the present court house at Carrollton. In 1865, he was elected judge of the county court of Greene county, and filled that office four years. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has been justice of the peace most of the time until about 1880. In 1832, Judge Hinton and wife became members of the Christian church, at Carrollton, and for many years he has been an elder in the church. In politics, the judge has always been a straight democrat. His first vote for president was cast for John Quincy Adams, in the memorable contest of 1824. On the 18th of Feb., 1869, the beloved partner of his bosom breathed her last, and in March, 1870, Judge Hinton was married to Mrs. Amy Holliday, of Kane, when he became a resident of that town. His second wife died in 1881, and he again returned to Carrollton, where he now resides. He has five children living - Maria, married Johnson W. Davis; Sophia, now the wife of M. J. Frank; Louise, now the wife of H. V. Jackson; Harriet, wife of James B. Morrow; Elizabeth, wife of W. A. Morrison.
Bio Index
All material contained on these pages
are furnished for the free use of those engaged in researching
their family origins. Any commercial use, without the consent
of the host/author of these pages is prohibited.
© ILMAGA