Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 299 - 300  

WILLIAM H. NEWTON, a Kansas pioneer of 1868, located first in Manhattan, Riley County, where he staid about one month; he then went to Wabaunsee County, where he was employed by the month one season as a farm laborer. In the winter of 1868-69 he occupied himself as a school teacher, returning to agriculture in the spring. About that time also he purchased a quarter-section of land in Wabaunsee County, and twenty town lots in the village of Wabaunsee. This property he held three years, then abandoned it and came into Wichita Township, this county, where, on the 11th of June, 1870, he pre-empted the northeast quarter of section 6, where he now resides. 

     In the career of Mr. Newton has been admirably illustrated the exercise of good judgment and wise investments, he having been enabled to sell forty-four acres across the river for the snug sum of $200 per acre, and still has 120 acres remaining. This is largely devoted to the raising of grain and stock, in which Mr. Newton with his ripe experience has been very successful. The Motor Line now runs along the western boundaries of the farm, and the latter is already platted into town lots. 

     Our subject was born in Washtenaw County, Mich., March 24, 1837, and is the son of S. B. and Lucy (Moore) Newton, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York State. The father, born Feb. 23, 1805, departed this life at his home in Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1871. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man of sound judgment and good business capacity. The mother was born Jan. 30, 1811, is still living, a widow, and continues at the homestead. The ten children of the parental household were named respectively: Nathan J. W., Susan E., Amos S., William H., Susannah A., Charlotte M., Mary, George W., Harold G. and Origen. The second child, Susan, came to her death by being scalded when about two years of age. 

     Mr. Newton passed his boyhood days in attendance at the district school and in making himself useful around the homestead. He continued a member of his father's household until thirty-one years of age, then left the parental roof and took up his abode in the new State of Kansas. Four years later he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary E. Maxson, a native of Rhode Island, who was born in Washington County, April 22, 1836. The wedding took place at the home of the groom in Michigan, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have no children. Mr. N., politically, votes with the Democratic party, and has held the office of Township Treasurer for the last six years. In 1885 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served two years. 

     A view of the Newton homestead, which often attracts the admiring eye of the traveler through the suburbs of Wichita, will be found elsewhere.

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