Although our subject helped to build many schoolhouses he never had a chance to attend one. After the death of his mother the family was broken up and he came west without a dime in his pocket. In Highland County, Ohio, he remained three years, when in the summer of 1830, he was offered the privilege of coming to Illinois with a family, to pay for which he was to drive two cows and take care of the baby. Labor and hardship were looked upon very lightly by the pioneers of those days and the vigorous young man eagerly accepted the office, firmly determined to surmount any difficulties he might encounter and secure for himself a home. He landed where Farmington now stands, with ten cents in his pocket which he had earned while en route by carrying pumpkins for one of the horses. His earnest efforts to obtain employment were at first unsuccessful, but he finally succeeded in obtaining work for which he received three bushels of oats per day. There was no market for the grain at the time, but after keeping it a month he sold it to a neighbor for thirty-seven cents.

In the spring of 1831, young Dalton hired out at $10 per month to Parnic Owens who lived about six miles northeast of where Knoxville now stands. In order to reach the place it was necessary to cross Spoon river, and there being no bridges there was no other way but to wade or miss the opportunity of making some money. The latter alternative was not to be thought of, so divesting himself of his clothing, Mr. Dalton held it above his head and walked boldly into the water which, the month being March, was so cold it almost took his breath away. On finishing his work he received his pay, $13.50, all in silver half dollars, which was the most money he had ever possessed. Feeling anxious in regard to its safety, he stripped some bark from a tree, tied it around his pocket and fastened the other end around his neck in order that no accident might deprive him of his earnings. He then walked sixteen miles home.

Mr. Dalton next worked three years for a Mr. Sargent who had offered to furnish land, seed grain and implements, and give our subject one-third of all he could raise in return for his labor. As the grain when marketed brought but little, Mr. Dalton bought three calves, some hogs, a colt and a few sheep and feeding all his grain to them thus secured a start. He enlisted in the Black Hawk War in the spring of 1832, serving through that memorable campaign as member of a company of rangers under Gen. Stillman of Canton. Being quite an expert cook, he volunteered his services in that capacity and between cooking from a scanty store of provisions and fighting Indians, was busily engaged and many are the thrilling adventures that he can narrate.

On September 10, 1835, our subject was married to his second cousin, Miss Delilah Dalton, his capital at that time being a colt, four sheep, three cows and nine hogs. The bride well knew what pioneer life meant, having accompanied her parents to this section in 1829, when but eleven years old and grown to maturity on the frontier where Pottawatomie Indians still lingered, wild game abounded and settlements were few. Armed with industrious habits which she had acquired under her father’s roof, and the love of a true woman for her chosen companion, she cheerfully began the wedded life, of which it can truly be said that more than half a century of happiness has never been marred by a quarrel.

Mrs. Dalton is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Dalton, natives of Virginia and North Carolina respectively, who spent the first few years of their married life in the Buckeye State. In Highland County the wife of our subject was born May 19, 1818, being one of the three children now living in a family of five. After the removal of her parents to Illinois they resided where Farmington now stands, in what was then known as Merchants’ Settlement. The little trading post at Ft. Clark then marked the site of what is now the flourishing city of Peoria. Henry Dalton died in 1862, and his wife in 1871.

One year after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Avery Dalton bought forty acres of land on section 19, their last cow being sold to help pay for it and rails being made by m r. Dalton as additional assistance to that end. The wife did her full share in securing the home, adding by every means in her power to the joint earnings. In March, 1837, the couple located upon the farm which has now been their home for over fifty-five years. Their first dwelling was a log house which they carefully preserve, although long since they erected and moved into a commodious brick residence. They now have a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres and need have no anxiety regarding their support during the remnant of their days, unless some unforeseen misfortune overtakes them. They rejoice in good health and in the prospect of enjoying the good of life for years to come.

Mr. and Mrs. Dalton are the parents of nine children, five now living. Cicero, the oldest surviving child, married Delicia Dixon, has four children, and lives in Elmwood Township; he served three years during the Civil War in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, taking part in a large number of battles and being disabled, on account of which he now draws a pension. LaFayette married Maggie Butler and lives in Knox County, their family comprising two children; Julius married Nellie Scott, lives in Elmwood, and has one child; Almeda is the wife of Charles Richards, of Knox County, and the mother of four children; James, who married Minnie Morris and has two children, lives on the old homestead, and is now School Director of the district.

“Uncle Avery,” as he is familiarly called, has perhaps killed more deer than any man in this region, while scores of wild turkeys and other game fell before his rifle in the days when this section was all wild woods. He speaks the Indian language fluently and many are the stories he can tell of frontier life. He is an uncompromising temperance man, has never used tobacco or sworn an oath. His motto is “as you mete out to others so it shall be meted out to you.” He is a life-long Democrat, having cast his first vote for “old Hickory.” He has been School Director, and as a private individual has ever shown deep interest in educational affairs and other objects that would advance humanity. He and his noble wife are now, in the evening of life, passing their days in happiness and contentment side by side, enjoying the results of integrity and industry and the esteem of all who know them.

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