Solomon D. Newton

SOLOMON D. NEWTON. A thoroughly representative product of Cherokee County is found in the person of Solomon D. Newton, a farmer residing a mile west of Columbus. Mr. Newton is a member of one of the oldest families in the county, and was brought here in 1866 when he was four years of age. In connection with farming, he is extensively interested in real estate, in Benton, Madison and Carroll counties, Arkansas.

Mr. Newton was born in Marion County, Arkansas, in 1862, and is a son of William C. and Mary Ann (Carroll) Newton, both parents having been born and reared near Nashville, Tennessee. After their marriage they moved to a plantation in Marion County, Arkansas, where, at the breaking out of the war, they had accumulated considerable property. Being in an ultra pro-slavery neighborhood, Mr. Newton soon found it desirable to move up into Illinois, where he would be permitted to hold views of neutrality concerning the war. He remained in that State until the fall of 1865, when he moved into Northern Kansas, and in the spring of 1866 took up a claim on Fly Creek, in Lyon township, Cherokee County. He died in 1892 at the age of 64 years; his wife at the age of 74 years, still residing on the old homestead. William C. Newton was a man of the strictest integrity and of firm religious principles, and wielded a powerful influence for good in the early days, when the crude civilization of the time demanded men of the sternest and most unflinching moral probity. To these parents were born seven girls and three boys, as follows: Celia E. (Thornton), of Nevada, Mis- souri; James Jasper, deceased in 1875, at the age of 21 years; Maria, who married Ami Dennis, a farmer living on property adjoining the homestead; Mrs. Ditha Paralee, a widow residing with her mother; Miranda Clementine (Mrs. C. E. Marlette) living near the homestead; Solomon D.; Mary Frances (Mrs. W. M. Frank), of Lyon township; William B., a farmer of Neosho township; Lulu, a teacher in the Scammon schools; and Orpha A., wife of Ed McEwen, of Salamanca township.

Solomon D. Newton is a type of the true Westerner, breezy and enterprising, and with many of the qualities of his father shining in his makeup. He received a fair mental training in the schools of the home district, and remained dutifully at home until he was of legal age. He then began farming on his own account, and by untiring industry soon became the possessor of a fine body of land, amounting to about 400 acres. This he continued to improve in various ways known to the intelligent farmer, until, in March, 1902, he sold the property and purchased his present farm of 160 acres, his removal to a point so near the city being prompted by his desire for better school facilities for his children. Here he carries on diversified farming, giving particular attention to the handling and feeding of stock. As stated above, Mr. Newton is interested in Arkansas real estate, in which he deals in connection with his brother-in-law, Fred Deem.

The wife of Mr. Newton's youth was Jennie Walker, who died in 1896, at the age of 29 years, leaving him with four children, as follows: Lonnie J., born in 1889; Frederick Earl, born in 1890; Ethel Pearl, born in 1892; and Floyd, born in 1896. The lady who now presides over his home was prior to her marriage Mattie Deem, who was, for about seven years, one of the popular and successful school teachers of the county. She is a daughter of John W. Deem, of Columbus. She is the mother of a baby boy,--Johnnie Carroll.

Mr. Newton has always taken an active interest in neighborhood affairs. While in Lyon township, he was one of the trustees, and was always the prime mover in any movement looking to the betterment of society. The present efficient rural mail delivery service in the county is to a certain extent the result of his efforts, as he was one of the prime movers in securing it. Politically, he favors the Populist party, and is a worthy and active member of the A. H. T. A. He and his family move in the best social circles of the county, throughout which they are held in the highest esteem.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Amanda Frost, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 5/12/97.