W.B. QUARTON

QUARTON, BARLOW, GILL, DUNEL, VAN NORSDALE, BARTON, MCFALL, BYRAM

Posted By: Dana Roquet (email)
Date: 10/25/2010 at 07:21:48

Portrait and Biographical Album of Mahaska County Iowa
Chapman Brothers 1887

W.B. Quarton is a farmer, and resident on section 24, Cedar Township. He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 28, 1821, and is the son of Thomas and Lydia (Barlow) Quarton, natives of England, who came to America in 1829. They made the voyage in a sailing-vessel, and were eight weeks and one day crossing the ocean. They landed in Quebec, and immediately started for Morgan County, Ill., making their way by lake and river to St. Louis, and from there to Morgan County by wagon. They remained in Morgan County, engaged in farming, until Mr. Quarton became to old to work, when he sold his farm and returned to a home in Winchester, Ill., where he and his good life lived until their death.

W.B. Quarton remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and then began life on his own account, working the first six years at whatever he could find to do, sometimes at home and then with strangers. In September, 1848, he was married to Charlotte Gill, a native of Yorkshire, England, born Feb. 27, 1832, and daughter of John and Mary (Dunel) Gill. They came to America in 1840, making the trip in a sailing-vessel, and landing in New Orleans, came up the Mississippi River to Naples, then to Morgan County, Ill. He was a book and shoe maker by trade and followed that business until his death, which, with that of his wife occurred in Morgan County.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Quarton have been given twelve children; Marion is the wife of A. Van Norsdale, and resides in Kansas; T.M. married Emma Barton, and lives in Minnesota, Georgia is the wife of Joseph McFall, and lives in Oskaloosa; Charlotte is the wife of James Byram, and lives in Minnesota; W.B. is a lawyer and resides in Algona, Iowa; Amy F. lives with her parents, as does Ezra D. The following are deceased; Hammoleketh, Minnie, Ann M. and Nathan.

Mr. Quarton owns 290 acres of very fine land, 240 of which are in a high state of cultivation, with the very best class of improvements, and everything that is necessary on a well-regulated and first-class farm. As a farmer Mr. Quarton has no superior in the county, as the neat and well-kept fields and fences at the home place clearly indicate. He takes great pride in his buildings and in having all his improvements of the best character, comfortable and convenient. Mr. Quarton is a hospitable gentleman, after the English style, and makes you welcome to a table that groans with the best of cheer. Whenever known he is highly regarded as a most estimable citizen.