Home > United States of America > Iowa > Montgomery County > Villisca > Villisca Cemetery > James McFeely Dalton

James McFeely Dalton

Birth	:	2 Dec 1824 Mason, Warren County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	10 Jul 1911 Villisca, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.9389000, -94.9747009
Description	:	UNCLE JIMMIE DALTON DEAD --- accident causes death at age of 86. At the age of 86 years and apparently in the best of health, James M. Dalton, whom everybody lovingly called "Uncle Jimmie", died on Monday, July 10, 1911, at half past one o'clock in the afternoon at his home in Villisca as the result from a fall from a cherry tree at the home of E.Y. Rice. His death has created a most profound feeling of sorrow in the city and vicinity of Villisca, for "Uncle Jimmie" was known to and beloved of all men and he had... Read More	UNCLE JIMMIE DALTON DEAD --- accident causes death at age of 86. At the age of 86 years and apparently in the best of health, James M. Dalton, whom everybody lovingly called "Uncle Jimmie", died on Monday, July 10, 1911, at half past one o'clock in the afternoon at his home in Villisca as the result from a fall from a cherry tree at the home of E.Y. Rice. His death has created a most profound feeling of sorrow in the city and vicinity of Villisca, for "Uncle Jimmie" was known to and beloved of all men and he had lived so long in the community that his name and his peculiar characteristics were seemlingly an integral part of it's life and progress. Mr. Dalton had always been a firm believer in his own ability and was losth to own that he was growing old or that he was no longer able to do a man's full day's work. Active all the time, he thought nothing of going out on some job and working an entire day regardless of weather and it was cherry picking in which he was engaged when his tragic demise ensued. Mr Dalton had asked Mr. Rice if he might have the cherries which dangled on the tops of his trees, but the latter told him that he was welcome to the cherries, but that it was not safe to pick them. The trees were not large, and the limbs were not considered safe, especially for a man of Mr. Dalton's age. Mr. Dalton, however, was insistant and assured Mr. Rice in no uncertain terms that he was able as ever to climb trees and that he "wanted those cherries". Mr. Rice reluctantly consented. The accident occured shortly after nine o'clock on Monday and Mr. Dalton lingered until half past one o'clock, when his advance age told against him and he gave up the struggle. During the interim, he was faintly conscious at times and just before his death he called to his wife and bade her goodbye, saying that he was dying. He never seemed to realize, however, what the cause of his suffering was, and when questioned concerning the accident seemed to be of the impression that he had been in a runaway. The shock of the fall seemed to have taken away his memory. The injuries he sustained would have made it difficult for a younger man to withstand. The right arm was broken between the shoulder and elbow, his scalp was cut just over the right ear and it was necessary to take two stiches in the wound to close it. His hip was injured and there is no doubt but what he was injured internally. His physician thinks the blow to the head, which probably struck against the brick wall, was the direct cause of death. "Uncle Jimmie" Dalton was what many people termed a peculiar character, yet he was as plain and simple faxhioned in his notions as any. He had no bad habits and countless good ones. He did not drink, chew nor smoke, and for emphasis in his speech he resorted to a vigorous stamping of his stout cane. He did not find it necessary to swear. He did not belong to any church, but he was for fifty-four years a Mason, and his lodge was his church. When he lived on the farm he had been known to get up and walk to lodge, a distance of more than ten miles, sometimes through stormy condition tha kept town members at home. He was always faithful to a trust. Mr. Dalton never aquired wealth. He worked by the day up to the very last day of his life, and the only property he owned was his little home on Fifth Ave., where he could be seen early in the morning or late at night, "tinkering around" Whoever his visitor might be, he was given a most hearty welcome. On the street everybody recognized his familiar form and hailed him with delight. He was always cheerful, optimistic, helpful. He lived more than eighty six years and his long life, contemplated at its close, is one of the most brilliant examples of success that the world knows. Money, he had not, but he was a millionaire ten times over. He had a heart. He had a character. He had health. He had friends! No greater gift could Providence bestow on any of His living creatures than these. "Uncle Jimmie" lived many years and he profited them much. Someone told him one day that he was working too hard for an old man. He replied in his familiar strident tones, "Well, I'd rather wear out than rust out!" And such seemed to be his life's axiom. James Mcfeely Dalton was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 2, 1824. His father died before his birth and the death of his mother followed while he was yet a baby, so that from infancy he had been cared for by his grandparents whose name, McFeely, he bore. While yet a lad his grandparents moved from Ohio to Bureau County, Illinois, and it was there, near the town of Wyanet, tha his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Triplett occurred April 25, 1850. Mrs. Dalton died December 31, 1895 at heir home in Villlisca, and on June 30, 1898, at the home of Mr. Dalton's daughter, Mrs. Dan McNeeley, Mr. Dalton was remarried to Mrs. Mary Wilson, who survives. Mr. Dalton's only brother, a twin, died in Illinois twenty five years ago. By his first wife Mr. Dalton was the father of ten children, three sons dying in infancy. Another son, John was killed by a train at Pacific Junction in 1883, and a daughter, Mrs. Matilda Parker, is dead. There are four daughters and one son living. They are: Mrs. Mary McNeely of Elmwood, Nebraska; R.D. Dalton of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Mrs. Emma Moore of Burwell, Nebraska; Mrs. Belle Rouse of Gretna, Nebraska; and Mrs. Etta Moyer of Gretna, Nebraska. Mr. Dalton and his family moved to Iowa, the year 1874, and settled on the farm now known as the W.A. Brannon place southwest of Villisca. The farm consisted of eighty acres and was partly improved when he bought it for $1600. In the spring of 1893, he sold the farm and took in part payment the house and lot in Villisca where he since lived and died. Funeral services were held yesterday morning at the M.E. Church. Members of the Montgomery Lodge, No. 270, AF&AM, to the number of fifty, attended the services and at the cemetary took charge of the last rites. The body was laid to rest by the side of the wife who had gone before. Mr. Dalton's fidelity to his lodge was one of his most remarkable characteristics. He was made a Mason in Wyanet Lodge, No. 231, of which he was a charter member. During a late visit to the old home there the lodge called a special meeting in his honor. He joined the Montgomery Lodge in 1875, a year after his removal to Iowa. He served as Worshipful Master the year beginning June 1, 1889 and was Tyler from 1894 until 1911. If Mr. Dalton had any trade at all it was that of well digger, an occupation that he followed for many years and was engaged in during much of his time on the farm. He was also an expert at dressing gardens, lawns and trimming trees. There was no more familiar sight in Villisca then "Uncle Jimmie" starting to work somewhere with his long sythe over his shoulder, which with his long beard, gave him a very resemblance to Old Father Time, that mythical character he so long defied. Speaking of his longevity recalls a boast which he was prone to make to the effect that he intended to live to be a hundred and on his hundredth birthday saw a rick of wood. There seem to be every reason to believe he would have made good his boast had not an accident interfered. Five weeks ago, he made a visit to the home of his daughter, Mrs. D.J. Moyer, at Gretna, Nebraska and walk six miles from the train, rather than wait for a ride. On his 84th birthday he visited his son, R.D. Dalton, at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and walked from Pacific Junction, a distance of seven miles, and beat the train for which he would have had to wait a few minutes. "Uncle Jimmie" Dalton remembered very distinctly the great fall of stars in 1833. He enlisted to go to war in 1861, but for some reason his company was not put in service. He was very fond of reading and his excellant memory served him well, for he remembered much that he read. In politics he was a democrat, but he never held any political office nor sought one. His life was quietly lived and he avoided the storms and turmoils which a more ambitious person encounters. Villisca Review Thursday, July 13,1911

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James McFeely Dalton's memorial?
James McFeely Dalton's memorial is located at: Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, Montgomery County, USA.
When did James McFeely Dalton death?
James McFeely Dalton death on 10 Jul 1911 in Villisca, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James McFeely Dalton's memorial?
Latitude: 40.9389000
Longitude: -94.9747009

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Elizabeth Margaret Triplett Dalton

(1828 - 1895)

Siblings

Children

Richard McFeeley D Dalton

(1859 - 1917)

Arabella Carrie “Belle” Dalton Rouse

(1863 - 1944)

Etta Viola Dalton Moyer

(1865 - 1945)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Villisca Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9389000, -94.9747009

2. Carlisle Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9225006, -94.9835968

3. Findley Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9578018, -94.9571991

4. Bakers Cut Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9083200, -94.9585900

5. Arlington Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9975014, -95.0093994

6. Nodaway Cemetery
Nodaway, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9627991, -94.8858032

7. North Page Cemetery
Hepburn, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8857994, -95.0511017

8. Fairview Cemetery
Valley Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8570862, -94.9671860

9. Mission Cemetery
Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0052986, -95.0603027

10. Sciola Baptist Cemetery
Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0340000, -94.9859000

11. Mamre Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9865480, -95.0886400

12. Bolt Family Burying Ground
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0362750, -94.9950660

13. North Grove Cemetery
Hepburn, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8422012, -94.9396973

14. Mamrelund Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9810486, -95.0959320

15. Methodist Grove Cemetery
Nodaway, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9136009, -94.8332977

16. Baldwin Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9768982, -94.8244019

17. Thompson Cemetery
Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0527000, -94.9161000

18. Rose Hill Church Cemetery
Clarinda, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8215000, -95.0340000

19. Guss Cemetery
Guss, Taylor County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8502657, -94.8510869

20. Tabor Cemetery
Wallin, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0543700, -95.0619900

21. Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery
Douglas Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8430000, -95.1044000

22. Brooks Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9728012, -94.7953033

23. Strand Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0730000, -94.9100000

24. Mortons Mill Cemetery
Morton Mills, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0793991, -95.0085983