Biography of Robert Colton (1892)

Last Updated 9/1/00

From Portrait and Biographical Record of Winnebago and Boone Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1892):

    Robert Colton. The English-American citizens of Winnebago County have an excellent representative in the person of Mr. Colton, whose portrait and life sketch are here presented. He is one of the pioneers of 1846, and his splendid estate in Durand Township, which consists of three hundred and twenty-five fertile sacres, is supplied with all the needful buildings, erected substantially and designed attractively. He has put forth his best efforts to make of it a home suited to his tastes and the needs of his family, and well has he succeeded.
    The natal day of Mr. Colton was October 15, 1819, and his birthplace, Notthingham County, England. He is the youngest child in the family circle, that included three children, the others being Ann, who married John Ballader, and John. Our subject was a lad when his parents died, at which time he was compelled to start out in life on his own account. He resided with one man three years, and when old enough to receive wages, hired out to a man named Richard Scott, whom he served five years, receiving as compensation for his labors, from $40 to $75 per year.
    In the spring of 1843, Mr. Colton concluded to try his fortune in the New WOrld, and, setting sail in the American vessel "Mississippi," after a voyage of twenty-three days, landed in New York Harbor. He at once proceeded to Steuben County, NY, and worked by the day, job, and month, at anything he could find to do. He was thus employed for two years, and during that time saved $201, which served to start him in life. Coming to Winnebago County, he purchased from the Government a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, located on section 29, Durand Township.
    January 17, 1848, Robert Colton and Miss Martha Jane Himes were united in marriage. The lady, who was the daughter of Kingsley and Lucinda (Campbell) Himes, was born in New York State, and came to Illinois with her parents. Mr. Colton finally sold the farm above referred to, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 28. The land was covered with timber and underbrush, and here our subject settled, and erecting good buildings on the place, resided there until October, 1889, when he removed to another farm on section 21. His property in the county aggregates three hundred and twenty-five acres.
    Mrs. Martha Jane Colton departed this life at her home in April, 1858, leaving five children: Letitia C., Mrs. George Krone, makes her home in Monona County, Iowa; Elizabeth L. resides in Durand Township, and is the wife of George Cole; Grace A. married Warren Pettingill, and lives in Green County, WIs.; Anna E. is the wife of CHarles Hammond, and makes her home in this township; one son died in childhood.
    The lady whom our subject chose for his second wife was Mrs. Ann Ranney, nee Jayne; she was born in New York, and was a daughter of WIlliam Jayne. By her marriage with our subject she became the mother of two children: George Robert, who died in infancy, and WIlliam Walter, a graduate of Rush Medical College, at Chicago, and engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. After the death of Mrs. Ann Colton, our subject was married, October 10, 1887, to Mrs. Carrie A. Moore, nee Bradley. The lady was born in Highgate, Franklin County, Vt., June 5, 1847, and was a daughter of Stephen and Phoebe Bradley. She was reared to woman in the Green Mountain State, and was there married to Richard Moore, by whom whe became the mother of six children, viz.: Phoebe, Frederick, Jennie, Richard, May and Stephen.
    He of whom we write is Democratic in his political affiliations. During the war he was a strong Union man, and a member of the Union League. He has become fully identified with the interests of the county, and has contributed in no small degree to its growth and prosperity. His present large property has been acquired through excellent judgement, and his position is among the foremost agriculturists of the county.

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