HENRY E. ALTON

ALTON, MARSH, GILCHRIST, WELLS, KERR, ROBINSON, SWARTZ

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:12:49

HENRY E. ALTON, of Keokuk, of the firm of Alton Bros., is successfully engaged with his partner in conducting one of the best livery stables in the Gate City. Their establishment is located at Nos. 825 and 829 Main street, and their outfit consists of about twenty-five fine driving animals and a choice selection of conveyances. The subject of our sketch is a native of Illinois, born in 1857, and the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Marsh) Alton, natives of the Empire State. After leaving New York State, Henry Alton became engaged in agriculture on the prairies of Illinois, and afterward for a short time was engaged in the livery business. He disposed of his interests there in 1872, and came to Keokuk, where he established the business which is now carried on by his two sons, and which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1881. The parental household included seven children, as follows: Lucretia, now Mrs. Gilchrist, is a resident of Keokuk; Thomas is the second son of the family; Mary, Mrs. Wells, is a resident of Keokuk; the next was Henry, our subject; Maggie married Mr. Kerr, and Nellie is the wife of Mr. Robinson, both of Keokuk; Birdie, the youngest, lives with her mother in this city.

Henry E. Alton of our sketch received a good education in the public schools, and remained at home until his father's death. Then, in company with his brother Thomas, he purchased the interest of the heirs in the livery business which their father had established, and they have maintained its old-time popularity and success. Their courteous demeanor and straightforward methods of doing business, have constituted them one of the most popular firms in the Gate City.

Mr. Alton was married in 1885 to Miss Minnie Swartz, of Keokuk, Iowa, and of their union a daughter has been born—Laurie M. They occupy a handsome residence at No. 1009 Exchange street, and are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Alton is Republican in politics, and is fully entitled to be classed as a valued citizen.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887
 

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887