Elvin Clifton Tilson, 2006 Bio

TILSON

Posted By: Georganna Thompson Tilson
Date: 12/26/2006 at 18:51:07

He became engaged in the stock business, driving cattle over the mountains from Ohio to eastern markets. During the war of the Rebellion he was enrolling officer in Nobel county and vicinity of Prairie City and Des Moines. In 1864 came with his family to live, first in Montazuma, where he spent the winter of 1864 and 1865, buying and shipping stock. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Tilton was elected to represent Iowa county in the 18th General Assembly of Iowa, which duties he performed with such credit that his people reelected him in the fall of 1881 to represent them in the 19th General Assembly which duties he performed with equal credit and to the satisfaction of all, but he returned from Des Monies considerable broken in health. He always voted the Republican ticket and was a prominent worker and organizer in Iowa county. He was well versed in law and was the trusted adviser and counselor of many people who knew him and came to him in difficulty. He was always ready to help others out of trouble, and suffered financial reverse himself because of having helped others to much. No man was ever refused a reasonable favor if it was within his power to grant it. He was a liberal donator and supporter of the educational and religious institutions within his community. Although business matters often called him from his home at times, yet on man ever loved his family and home more dearly than he. No matter what time in the night he arrived at his rail road station, nor how cold and dark the night, he would make his way home to be with his family. In 1892 the family moved on to Stuart where they engaged in keeping the Stuart house.