MRS. ELMIRA TILTON (widow of Daniel Tilton) was born in Fayette county, Penn., June 12, 1825. She is the daughter of George and Eleanor (Layton) Whiting, and was first married to Jesse Jackman, but some time after his death became the wife of Daniel Tilton, who was of English Ancestry. James Tilton, grandfather of Daniel, was a native of New Jersey, where he was married, three children--John, James and Nancy----being born to this union. He afterward moved to Pennsylvania, remaining in Greene county a short time, and while there almost decided to purchase the wood-covered tract on which the town of Waynesburgh, Greene county, has since been built. John Tilton, the only son of James, was born in New Jersey in 1785. He moved to Washington county, Penn., with his parents, where, in 1806, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Paden, of East Finley township, Washington county. To their union were born eleven children, but one of whom is still living, Elvira (unmarried, a resident of Franklin township). Mr. Tilton was a devoted member of the Baptist Church at Pleasant Grove, and confirmed the donation of the land, made by James, upon which it was built, becoming one of the first deacons of that church. Daniel Tilton, son of John and Elizabeth (Paden) Tilton, born February 6,1815, on his father's farm near Pleasant Grove, died March 4, 1890. His education was received in the schools of the period, and his boyhood was passed in attending them and assisting with the farm duties. He also partially learned the carpenter and cooper trades. In 1835 he was married to Abigail Pratt, who died in 1859, leaving him one child, Mary, now the wife of Henry Enlow, of East Finley township. Five other children were born to them, but none lived to an adult age. On August 23, 1860, Mr. Tilton was united in marriage with Mrs. Elmira Jackman, and to their union the following children were born:George W., born September 14, 1861, now managing the home farm (married to Maggie F. Ferrell, of West Finley township, and has one child, Harry W.); Louisa Catherine, born January 14, 1863, died December 23, 1865; Eleanor W., born April 5, 1864, married to David K. Bell, and died October 1, 1889, and Laura E., born December 20, 1866, an accomplished young lady, residing with her mother. In 1838 Mr. Tilton purchased a part of the "Old Byers" tract of land, situated about three miles south of Claysville, in East Finley township, where he successfully followed the vocation of a farmer the rest of his life. He was a zealous Christian, liberal contributor and hearty supporter of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, of which he was a member and deacon. Politically he was a Republican. His widow, who is also a member of the Baptist Church, resides on the home farm, her son, G, W. Tilton, managing the farm, and taking the place in church affairs held for so many years by his father.

Text taken from page 457 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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