Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 WATSON PELTON was born in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, February 23, 1837, and is the fifth of a family of eight children of CYRUS B. and THERESA A. (MERRILL) PELTON. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was a native of Massachusetts,as was also the mother. When Watson was five years old his parents removed to Livingston County, New York, where they settled permanently; the father died in the fall of 1883, in his seventy-seventh year, his wife is still living in her eighty- fifth year, in the full possession of her faculties; she is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and regularly attends the services. WATSON PELTON attended the common school at Moscow, Livingston County, New York, held in the old Black School-house, the memory of which is yet fresh in the minds of all those who assembled there in years long gone by. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade under his older brother, HIRAM B., and in 1860 he drifted West to Paines- ville, Ohio, where he went to work at his trade. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army, in Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was ordered to Kentucky, where he participated in the battle of Perryville; he was wounded by a minie-ball in his right foot which disabled him for some time, and on account of which he was dis- charged in September the same year as his enlistment. He then returned to his home in Painesville, Ohio. In 1865 he removed to Iowa, settling in Washington County. The same year he was married to Miss ANNA McDIVITT, of Cleveland, Ohio, whose parents died during her infancy. After coming to Washington County Mr. WATSON worked at his trade, and resided there until 1870, when he removed to Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa; there he engaged in the furniture business for one year, and at the expiration of that time he came to Cherokee, bringing his stock of furniture with him. He continued in the business about eight years, and then sold out. His next venture was in the grocery busi- ness; he formed a partnership with B. O. STEVENS, the style of the firm being PELTON & Co., and continued in the trade until the end of three years. He then embarked in the clothing and merchant-tailoring business, and in about a year he closed it up and went to Chamberlain, Dakota. In eighteen months we find him returning to Cherokee, where he is now residing. Mr. PELTON was married a second time in May, 1878, to Miss MARGARET KNAPP, a daughter of Z. M. and Sarah Knapp. By his first marriage four children were born: De WITT L., a teacher, now fitting himself for the ministry; BERNICE (deceased), WALTER S. (deceased), and STANLEY S., a resident of Sioux County, Iowa. By the second marriage four children were born: HERBERT, MYRTLE, CHARLES C. and GEORGE E. Mr. PELTON was elected the third mayor of Cherokee, filling the office acceptably for one term. He was elected coroner of the county in its early days, and held the office until he went to Dakota; on his return to Cherokee he was re-elected to the same office. He served as justice of the peace for one term of two years. Poli- tically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M., and of Cherokee Lodge, No. 188, I.O.O.F. He is a man who has been prosperous in business, and to-day owns some of the most valuable property in Cherokee. Mrs. PELTON is a worthy member of the Congregational Church. ===========================================================================