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 Obits & Bios

 

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The following stories and obits tell a bit more about our Waltons:

John B. Walton - obit

John B. "Jack" and Elsie Walton

Elsie Lucretia Race Walton

Elsie Lucretia Race Walton - photo with link to biography

William Guylott Walton 1874-1961

William Guylott Walton 1807-1882

Eleanor Emma Barnes Walton

Eleanor Emma "Nellie" Barnes Walton  - photo with link to biography

Mary Ann Johnson Barnes

Mary Ann Johnson Barnes - photo with link to biography

Poems from 2 widely separated generations

Race - Walton

The marriage of Miss Elsie Race of this place to Jack Walton of Battle Creek was solemnized Monday evening in that city, in the presence of a large company, including the relatives of the bride and the relatives and friends of the groom. Mrs. Elsie Ralph, the bride's grandmother, with whom she has made her home since a young child, was the only one present from Galesburg. 

Mr. and Mrs. Walton will make their home in Battle Creek where the groom is employed.

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Race-Walton Wedding

A very pretty wedding took lace at the Maccabee hall last evening at eight o'clock when Jack Walton, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Walton, of the East Main street Dry Cleaning company and Miss Elsie Race of Galesburg were united in marriage by the Rev. Frank MacGirr of Pewamo, Michigan, an uncle of the groom. The bride was attended by Miss Ethel Walton, sister of the groom, while Lawrence Kennard acted as best man. Promptly at eight o'clock and to the strains of Mendelssohn's wedding march, played by Miss Lillian Alexander of Ludington, the bridal party took their place before a beautifully arranged altar, banked with palms and ferns. The bride was given away by her grandmother Mrs. Elsie Ralph. The bride's gown was a handsome creation of white satin with a brocaded crepe and the costume was completed with a cluster bouquet of roses. Her attendant wore a very pretty gown of pink and white satin. About 150 guests witnessed the ceremony, following which and after a season of congratulations, a delicious two course luncheon was served, several small tables being prettily arranged in the dining rooms of the hall. Mr. and Mrs. Walton received many best wishes of a host of friends were showered upon them. After a brief wedding trip the young people will take up their residence on Surby St., Foster Park. ==============

Open House Held for the J. B. Waltons on Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. (Jack) Walton of 212 Surby Avenue were complimented to an open house Sunday afternoon and evening given by his brother and wife Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Walton of 145 Honey Ave. The occasion marked their 40th wedding anniversary.

Also assisting in receiving the 80 guests were Mr. and Mrs. William G. Walton, parents of the Walton brothers.

Jack Walton and Elsie Race were married in Battle Creek on Sept. 22, 1913 with the Rev. W. MacGirr of Boone, uncle of the groom, performing the ceremony.

They have lived all of their married life here and have one son, Duane, who lives with his wife and daughter Julie Ann on Breezy Bluff, Goguac Lake.

The tea table was centered with a bouquet of ruby and white gladioli with ruby colored numerals "40". Mrs. G. F. Stapleton had charge of the guest book. Guests came from Kalamazoo, Dowagiac and Bangor as well as Battle Creek. 

John Edward Blunt Barnes Walton 1892-1972

from article printed in the Battle Creek Enquirer & News paper - 

....a silver bowl given in memory of the late Jack Walton, whose activity in sailing on the lake (Goguac) spanned 60 years before his death a year ago, was awarded to Harry Harvey in recognition of service to the club. Harvey, a charter member, was named as first recipient of the award for a wide range of work and service for sailing and for the club.

text of letter sent with newspaper clipping

Nov. 26, 1972
To the family of Jack Walton:

Jack meant much to us who sail on Goguac Lake. He helped us. We enjoyed him. We enjoyed his skill. We enjoyed his memories that gave us continuity in our sport.

In view of his interest and service to our group, the Club proposes to establish a trophy in Jack's name as a token of our feeling for him. We hope that it will serve to recall him to the minds of all who enjoy the winds and waters of Goguac in years to come.

With great sympathy,
Ned Boise
Commodore GYC
(Goguac Yacht Club)

OBIT

John B. Walton

Services for John B. Walton, 80, of 212 Surby Avenue, will be held at 3:30 Monday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Walton, a native of Northampton, England died Saturday in Leila Hospital where he was hospitalized the second time this month. 

Walton who came here in 1907 was a retired garment finisher who worked many years for the Battle Creek Cleaners. He retired in January after five years with the Faulhaber Varsity Shop.

He was a life member of the Gull and Goguac Lakes yacht clubs and was well known for making sails and boat covers for members.

Walton is survived by his wife, the former Elsie L. Race; a son, Duane, of Battle Creek; sisters Mrs. John P. (Ethel) Huff of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Annie Gilchrist of Kalamazoo; a brother Richard G. of Olivet, and two granddaughters.

Elsie's recipe for 
Grandma Ralph's Potato Rolls


Put 1 yeast cake into 1/2 cup lukewarm water to soak.

1 c. hot mashed potato

Put 1/2 cup shortening, 1/2 cup sugar and a pinch of salt into the hot potato and mix well.

Add 2 eggs and mix well.

Add 1 c. lukewarm milk then add the dissolved yeast and beat all together. Add 6 or 8 cups of flour.

Put into a greased crock and store in a cold place (refrigerator) till you want to use.

Take out and shape into biscuits (clover leaf or Parker House) put into greased pans and let rise till double in bulk. 

Bake in a hot oven 12 to 18 minutes.

William Guylott Walton 1874-1961

actual date of article unknown - circa 1955-1960 based on tv shows listed on reverse side and publ. date of poems (1953).

List of 10 Oldest Newspapers Compiled by Wm. G. Walton

William G. Walton of 239 Avenue C, a tailor with a literary bent - he has a book of poems published - glanced at the Northampton Mercury & Herald of New Years Eve and wondered, "How many newspapers are older, in point of continuous publication?"

It was a logical question, for that paper, from his birthplace in England's east Midlands, boasts a founding in 1720, a full 236 years ago. Reflecting that "the Mercury and Herald has been in existence since long before the Boston Tea Party," Mr. Walton started combing reference works and came up with this list of the ten oldest newspapers in the world:

The Swedish Post, founded 1645 (311 years in business); the Harlem Courant, Amsterdam, 1656 (now in its 300th year); the London, (England) Gazette, 1663 (293 years); the Edinburgh Gazette, 1669 (287 years); his hometown paper and the Norwich (England) Mercury, each begun in 1720; an unnamed Swiss paper, begun in 1738; and finally, the Connecticut (now Hartford) Courant, first published 1764 and so 12 years older than this nation; the Morning Post of London, 1769 and the Times of London, 1788, with the New York Herald, tenth in the list, 121 years old, founded in 1835. "Am I correct?" he asks.

The retired tailor, long time township and lately Springfield City resident, came here in 1906 and served as a tailor to the first dry cleaners in the city, (the first such business having been started in 1895.)

He built the first house on the old race course (present site of Lakeview school, the first house between Territorial Rd. and Columbia Ave. and was a board member when the first Lakeview School was built.

============
William G. Walton Died;
Local Tailor and Poet

dated 10-26-1961 / Battle Creek Enquirer

William G. Walton, 87, of 239 Ave. C, a retired Battle Creek tailor and poet died Thursday afternoon in a local hospital where he had been a patient for two weeks. 

He brought his family here from England in 1906 after having operated his own tailoring business there for about 12 years. He was first employed here by Will H. Spink and for more than 17 years was in charge of alternations for the Battle Creek Cleaning Company. He once had his own custom tailor shop here and later joined the Roy Henry tailor shop.

Wrote 1,000 Poems

Mr. Walton's poems were first published in his native city of St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, England. He was the author of nearly 1,000 poems and once won a first prize from the Poetry Association of Michigan. As a young man in England, he was a member of the Episcopal Church choir and later sang here in the St. Thomas Episcopal Church choir from 1910 to 1919. 

As a student in England he was a soccer player, a track man and a member of a rowing team. 

Mr. Walton was born May 20, 1874 and was married 70 years ago last Oct. 3. His wife, the former Eleanor E. Barnes, survives. Their four children, all born in England, are John B. of 212 Surby Ave., Mrs. John (Ethel) Huff of San Diego, Calif., Mrs. George (Annie) Gilchrist of Kalamazoo and Richard G. of 145 Honey Lane. There are nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Township Official

In political life, Mr. Walton served as justice of the peace and as treasurer in Battle Creek Township. He was a member of Battle Creek Lodge No. 12 F&AM, Battle Creek Chapter No. 19 Royal Arch Masons and Chapter No. 24 of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.

==========

Childhood Memories

I am sitting alone in the evening of Life,
And I think of the days long ago;
When nothing I knew of trouble or strife,
And my life, as a child, all aglow.
Long, long ago, in the choir I sang,
As a boy, in the church near my home,
And listened oftimes to the bells as they rang,
Those bells with their wonderful tone.

I would rise with the lark, and with only a stick
For a pole, and some string for a line,
I would fish in the river, along with pal, Dick,
And we'd both have a wonderful time.
With bread for bait we would often catch bream
And keep them regardless of size;
Put them all on a string, then with faces a-gleam
Run merrily home with our prize.

And 'most every day in that river I'd fall,
Scramble out, and run home dripping wet;
And running to Mother quite loudly I'd bawl
For I knew what a spanking I'd get.
Across Mother's chequered apron I lay,
She applied her dear hand to the place
That I use to sit down, and needless to say
That spot was as red as my face.

But the spankings I got were forgotten next day,
And forgotten the tears and the pain;
Then I'd do the same thing and needless to say
I'd fall in that durned river again.
Mother told Father her fear that clung,
That some day I surely would drown.
But, Father said, "People born to be hung
Can never by any chance drown."

I am now seventy-five, but I've never been hung,
Although twice I have nearly been drown.

Guylott Walton Gravestone 2.JPG (577866 bytes)

 

Gravestone of William's mother and father -- 

St. Ives Churchyard in England

(double click to enlarge - very large file!)

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Changes Wrought by Old Age


My eyes are dim, I cannot see
The things that once were clear to me;
Dense cobwebs seem to cloud my eyes,
I gaze through them in mute surprise;
to think my vision once was keen,
And everything was clearly seen.

My nose is blocked, I do not smell
Most of the things I smelled so well;
I miss the smell of flowers sweet,
The tempting smell of roasting meat;
My natural teeth were firm and bright,
My false teeth I take out at night.

My ears are deaf, I do not hear
The sounds that once to me were clear;
When people speak, I do not grasp
Just what they said, and have to ask
What they had said, which irks me sore,
I do not hear good any more.

My voice is husky, cannot sing,
In clarion tones it used to ring
In concerts or cathedral choir,
Quite often people would admire
My tuneful song, but now I fear
Its rasping tones they hate to hear.

My hair, which once, was glossy black,
Is whiter than a flour sack;
Although the trend I've tried to stop,
It's getting pretty thin on top'
"wide parting" by some people called,
The truth is, I am getting bald.

No more I leap, no more I run,
Just sit and think of prizes won
By flying feet then owned by me
That sped me on to victory;
Now, those same feet are slow and sore,
With corns and calluses galore.

At seventy nine, I've passed the span
Of life that is assigned to man;
I'm living now on borrowed time,
But still, can put my thoughts in rhyme;
To cause a smile, or perhaps a tear
With verses that are written here.

For more about WGW's poetry - please click here

Mrs. William G. Walton 1872-1966

OBIT from Battle Creek Enquirer dated Dec. 20, 1966

Mrs. Eleanor E. Walton, 94, formerly of Battle Creek, died Tuesday in the Hayes-Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte (MI). She was in ill health for three years, more seriously for six months. She was born July 7 1872 in Bugbrooke, England, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Johnson Barnes. She was married in Northampton, England in 1893 to William G. Walton. They came here in 1907. Mr. Walton, a tailor all his life, died here Oct. 26 1961. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1953. Mrs. Walton was a life member of the Battle Creek Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a past high priestess and grand chaplain of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Mrs. Walton was a member of the First Baptist Church. She lived here until five years ago when she moved to Olivet to make her home with her son, Richard G. Also surviving is another son, John B. of 212 Surby Ave; two daughters, Mrs. John (Ethel) Huff of San Diego and Mrs. George (Annie) Gilchrist of Kalamazoo; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

William Guylott Walton 1807 - 1882 - my great-great-great-grandfather

Obit from the 'Hunts Guardian and East Midlands Spectator' - dated Saturday September 30th 1882  - courtesy of Linda's great searching efforts!

NEEDINGWORTH - The Late Mr. Walton - On Sunday afternoon the remains of an old and highly-respected resident, Mr. W. G. Walton, were interred in the cemetery of the above village.  For many years he has collected the rates and taxes of the parish, but for some time before his death he had been obliged to resign this appointment on account of failing sight and infirmities incidental to old age.  That he was well respected in his native village

Mary Ann Johnson Barnes 1846-1941

Celebrates 90th Birthday

Mrs. Mary Ann Barnes, 28 Surby Avenue, has had a four-day party, in celebration of her ninetieth natal day, festivities ending Sunday when a dinner was given in her honor at the home, with covers laid for 16. Birthday cakes and a beautiful large bouquet of white and yellow roses graced the table. One of the cakes was colorfully decorated with 90 stars. A big surprise which was arranged for the pleasure of Mrs. Barnes was the arrival of her elder daughter, Mrs. Annie MacGirr of Boon Mich. late Friday afternoon. Besides Mrs. MacGirr, out-of-town guests were Mr. and Mrs. G. Gilchrist and family of Galesburg; Mr. and Mrs. William Burnett and grandson William Barnett, Jr. of Charlotte. Music and singing were features of the day. Saturday was spent with calls from relatives and visiting with Mrs. MacGirr. Friday open house was held for all friends of the family at the home of the honoree's younger daughter Mrs. William G. Walton where she resides. About 125 guests called and presented Mrs. Barnes with lovely flowers and gifts. The rooms were filled with a profusion of chrysanthemums, the large and showy blooms, as well as the baby mums. Miss Virginia Lee Huff, 48 Orleans Avenue, celebrating her sixteenth birthday, had dinner Thursday with her great-grandmother, having dined together for the last 15 years on their birthdays. 

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Is 90 Today

Mrs. Mary Ann Barnes, who resides with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Walton, 28 Surby Avenue, is celebrating her ninetieth birthday today by keeping open house, which will extend through this evening. Already greetings and gifts have been received by this remarkable English woman who has resided in Battle Creek since 1907 and has won the friendship of a host of citizens. Mrs. Barnes, a member of the Battle Creek Three-Quarters Club, is the mother of two children, Mrs. Walton and Mrs. MacGirr, widow of the late Rev. Frank MacGirr, Boon, Mich. Of her 12 grandchildren, nine are living, as are 22 great grand children and one great-great grandchild. She was born in a small village near Northampton, England and with her husband came to Battle Creek 29 years ago. His death occurred in 1921, five years after they had observed their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Barnes enjoys wonderful health, retaining her eyesight and hearing and being able to do many little household tasks with perfect ease. Each Sunday finds her at the radio listening to Sunday sermons, this modern invention being regarded as miraculous by her. 

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Mrs. Mary A. Barnes Dies at Age of 95
Resident Here for 34 Years was Member of Three-Quarter Century Club.

Mrs. Mary Ann Barnes, 95, of 28 Surby Avenue, widow of Thomas Barnes and a Battle Creek resident for 34 years, died at 2:30 p.m. Monday in a local hospital. Death was due to senility.

Mrs. Barnes was born Nov. 6, 1846 in Bugbrooke, England, the daughter of Edward and Mary Webb Johnson. As a girl she worked as a dressmaker and later became a trained nurse.

She was married October 24 1886 in England to Mr. Barnes, who died in November 1921. They came to Battle Creek from England in the spring of 1907 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Oct. 24, 1921. Mrs. Barnes was a member of the Three-Quarter Century Club.

Since coming to Battle Creek Mrs. Barnes had lived in the home of her son-in-law and daughter Mr. and Mrs. Wm. G. Walton of 28 Surby Avenue, with the exception of parts of several summers which she spent in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Pursley of near Paw Paw.

Surviving besides Mrs. Walton are another daughter, Mrs. Annie MacGirr of Boone, Wexford county; nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday from the e. E. Royal funeral home with the Rev. Mark F. Sanborn in charge. Burial will be in Youngs cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.