Samuel Tilton

SAMUEL TILTON. His name is among those of the prominent farmers who are residents of Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1834, and is a son of David and Mary (Garver) Tilton.

David Tilton was a native of New Jersey, and a shoemaker by trade. He married Mary Garver, and they reared: Nancy J.; Jacob; Elizabeth; Samuel; Mary J.; David and Hester, deceased; and Sarah A. Mrs. Tilton was a native of Virginia. By a previous marriage with Thomas Forest, she had one son, William Forest, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume.

Samuel Tilton was reared and schooled in his native county. At the age of thirteen years he removed with his parents to Blackford county, Indiana, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age. He then lived in Cass county, Indiana, until 1870, when he removed to Labette county, Kansas, and located in section 1, in the northeast quarter of township 34, range 19, Elm Grove township, where he has a well improved farm. Mr. Tilton bought the cabin which was on the claim, and in this he lived six years. It was but 12 by 14 feet, in dimensions. He entered his claim in 1877, in Independence, Kansas. This he at once began to improve, and up to 1901 he owned one of the best farms in Elm Grove township, where he carried on general farming and stock raising. He then retired and is living in Edna, Kansas, where he moved in June, 1901, after selling his farm. He is all honest and loyal citizen, and is highly respected in the community in which he resides.

Mr. Tilton was united in marriage with Elizabeth Smith. She was born in Cass county, Indiana, in 1835, and is a daughter of George M. Smith. Mr. Smith was a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Fuller. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton have four children, namely: George, who is a farmer in Elm Grove township; Clara A.; Theodore C.; and Marion J.

Politically, Mr. Tilton belongs to the Republican party. He was on the school board for a number of years. The family are members of the Methodist church.