The Mankato free press., 1920-09-17
YEARS RESTING LIGHTLY
j. r. DALTON CELEBRATED
NlNETIETH YEAR
Father of WeII-KnoWn Banker
At Eagle Lake; Story of
Career
Fairmont Sentinel

Mrs. Ernest Dalton of Granada was
hostess Sunday at splendid dinner
party given in honor of the Goth
birthday OF Mr.. Dalton's father, John
r. Dalton. pioneer or Center Creek,
born in Belfast, Ireland, September
IL. 1880, and resident of the United
States since 1889. The dinner fol-
lowed Mr.. Dalton's return from at
tending church at Fairmont. The
guests were numerous members or
the Dalton family and few others.
Aside from relatives living at Gran
ada there were present Marshal Dal-
ton and family of Fairmont; Roscoe
Dalton and family OF Eagle Lake;
John Carol and ]. D. Wilkins OF
Marion, N. ID. and Frank A. Day of
Fairmont.
Seldom does Providence deal SO
generously In physical and mental
preservation as 1t has with Mr.. Dali
ton. He enjoys strength and vigor
on attaining his ninet1eth milestone
in life equal to that Of most men half
his age.
A Sentinel reporter visited Mr.. Dali
ton Saturday and interviewed him on
his rules for longevity. The result
was rather disquieting to those who
adhere to regime for attaining old
age but disclosed a wealth Of inter-
esting "reminiscences. The reporters
Impressions follow:
aIt's great life II you don't weak
en-"
And John R. Dalton, Center Creek
farmer, hasn't weakened for ninety
years.
That is a record. Not merely be-
cause he has lived for ninety years,
but because of the wonderful memory
physique, hearing and eyesight he
has retained during the four score
years and ten that he has padded
about Che universe.
Although his eyesight Is becoming
little dimmed, he did not use glass
es until a few years ago. and he uses
them only In reading by lamplight.
His muscles are hard and firm, his
hearing acute and his step is lighter
than the average mans at forty five.
Although bit grey, his hair has not
yet turned the silvery white that
marks old age.
When the Sentinel man drove up
to the house. an elderly lady came
to the dor and said, spa isn't at
home. He ought to be home most
any time now. I don't see what's
keeping HIM" The lady at the door
was Mr.. Dalton's daughter Further
inquiry developed the fact that he
had walked to Granada. a distance OF
three and one half miles.
We found him In town and had
quite visit. We had talked but
and began searching his pockets for
matches His search disclosed a
pipe and plug OF tobacco.
Used Tobacco Eighty Years.
Our curiosity was aroused. How
long have you used tobaccoT we
asked. "Oh," he replied renectively,
''It must be about eighty years or
So" He said that he had smoked
and chewed every day since early
youth. and occasionally, in the early
days. used liquor moderately.
There was one period of seven
years that didn't use tobacco or
liquor" he added. II swore OF and
stuck to 1t all that time, but when
the railroad went through will Yies :
selman and number OF other Fair
monters had some cigars and liquor.
They passed II to me, and refused.
But when they urged me, took all
there was to take, and / have been
at 1t ever since"
II am very regular about my bed
time" he said jokingly when asked
further about his habits. 81 never 60
to bed before IL, /, 2 and sometimes
/ 8 o'clock. I'll wager that / haven't
had three hours straight, unbroken
sleep for more than twenty years !
always get up at six o'clock or earl
Ter, and before get fully dressed !
fill and light my pipe. When am
working I always chew tobacco, and
as soon as I go in the house 1 take
to my pipe. The last thing l do at
night before blow out. the light, is
to lay my pipe on the table beside
my bed"
Recalls Pres. Zacnary Taylor.
Mr.. Dalton remembers distinctly
when the bells tolled the death of
President Zachary Taylor, and was
close to middle age when, Lincoln
was elected He was In the south
btwo years before the Civil War, and
came near getting in trouble for talk
ing anti slavery. "They told me not
Dalton, and he took their advice, but
came north.
Mr.. Dalton was superintendent of
crew Of masons when the first
steamboat locks on the Ste. Saufe
Marie were built, about seventy two
years ago.
He came to Martin county in 1866,
and took preemption on the quarter
section where he has lived 55 years.
I'VE could homestead 80 acres" said
Mr. Dalton, "but / didn't see any
sense to that when could get 160 a
whole lot easier.
Early Fairmont RecoiIections.
Mr.. Dalton was the mason who
built the first brick house in Martin
county. 1t is the first house north of
the county jail, and is standing and
tenanted today I'VE had to go into
the lake to get enough stones for the
cellar, said Mr.. Dalton. my wagon
ran out OF grease, and went to Reu-
ben Ward to buy some. He didn't
have 1t, and there wasn't grease
enough in Fairmont for any wagon.
He then sold me some brown soap
and ! used that. ! drew three dol
lars day for the team and wagon,
and 81 for myself. The house was
built for DR.. Chubb. am sure that
this was the first brick house in this
territory, including jackson, Fari-
bault and Martin counties
Pioneer Real Estate Prices.
my wife sold the lot the Fairmont
Mercantile store now stands on to
Reuben Ward for 500. and the lot
now occupied by the Strand Theatre
to an English stevedore for 500. We
paid $40 apiece for the two lots,
had 81, 400 then, and believe could
II Of