Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of
Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-A. Alton
Portrait and
Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman
Brothers, Chicago, 1890
A. ALTON, a prominent German farmer of Blaine Township, Clay County, is one of its largest land-owners, being the possessor of 400 broad acres, which he purchased in 1879 and which was partially improved. He put up a fine residence with suitable and convenient outbuildings, planted forest and fruit trees, and now has one of the most desirable estates in this section of the county. His home, which lies on section 23, abounds in plenty and comfort, speaking well for the enterprise of the proprietor.
Mr. Alton was born in Germany, in 1828, and lived there until a youth of eighteen years, acquiring a good education in the public schools. Upon coming to America he commenced working on afarm in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Engert. Upon leaving the Buckeye State, they came directly to Kansas. There have been born to them a family of eleven children, all of whom are living, viz: Katherine, Mrs. Philip; Anna; Jacob, a resident of Lewisburg; John, Benjamin, Henry, Alois, Lillie, Jennie, Clara and Louie. Mr. Alton, upon becoming a voting citizen, identified himself with the Democratic party, to which he still gives his honest adherence. He is a member of the church Sts. Peter and Paul.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Engert) Alton was born in the Province of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1831, and came to the United States in 1847, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, where she made the acquaintance of her future husband. She comes of a good family, being the sister of Jacob Engert, who is represented on another page in this volume. The Alton homestead is a credit in every way to its proprietor,and the family is numbered among the most highly respected of the county.