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Samuel Holton

Samuel Holton, a resident of Fayette County since May, 1850, is now engaged in the grocery business in West Union and is accounted one of the leading citizens of that place. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., November 21, 1825, and is a son of Francis and Sally (Alice) Holton. His father was born in Maryland, June 10, 1781, and when fourteen years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Yates County, N. Y. He was married and settled in Ontario County, of the same State, where he resided until 1833, and then moved to Huron County, Ohio. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Columbia County, N. Y. in 1789, and died in 1849, passing away seven years previous to the death of her husband.

Mr. Holton, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on a farm in the Buckeye State, receiving a common-school education and on attaining to mature years was joined in wedlock on the 14th of May, 1849, with Miss Mary Susan Strong, daughter of Pelatiah and Ianthe (Boalt) Strong. Mrs. Holton was born in Lime Township, Huron County, Ohio, January 22, 1830. Her father, who was born in Cortland County, N. Y., December 22, 1806, and was of English descent, died February 25, 1881. His wife was born in Norwalk, Fairfield County, Conn., May 16, 1808, and is descended from an old New England family. She removed to Ohio in 1816, and is still residing in Erie County, a hale and hearty woman.

After his marriage, Mr. Holton followed farming in Ohio until 1850, when, in the month of May, he came to Iowa, locating in Illyria Township, Fayette County, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for about fourteen years. The succeeding two years were spent in travel and in 1866, he came to West Union and entered into partnership in 1867 with H. B. Hoyt, the firm, under the business title of Hoyt & Holton, engaging in the hardware trade. That connection was continued ten years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. In 1878, Mr. Holton embarked in the grocery business, which he has carried on continuously since with marked success. In political sentiment, our subject was a Whig in early life and later an original Abolitionist. He voted for George G. Burnham for President and later, on the organization of the Republican party which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and has since been a faithful adherent of its principles. Socially, Mr. Holton is a member of Round Grove Lodge, No. 41, I.O.O.F and his estimable wife holds membership in the Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 97, both of West Union. Mr. Holton is a man of liberal and broad views and in manner is genial, kind and courteous. He has now been a resident of Fayette County for forty years and is both widely and favorably known among its best citizens. His business career has been marked by the strictest integrity and fairness which has won him a well deserved patronage and made his establishment one of the leading grocery houses of West Union. Both he and his worthy wife have led active and useful lives and enjoy the esteem and respect of a wide circle of friends.