HATTON, Sylvester - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Sylvester Hatton, son of Leslie R., and Elizabeth (Slingley) Hatton, was born in Fountain county, Ind., May 27, 1837, and died at his home in Rensselaer, Ind., July 14, 1915, at the age of 78 years, 1 month and 17 days. He came with his parents to Yellowhead, Kankakee county, 111., in 1840. His father died when he was ten years of age and he remained on the homestead assisting his mother in carrying on the farm until she, too, was called from this life in 1852. Then going to Indiana he lived with an uncle until he reached manhood. On Oct. 7th, 1858, he was united in marriage to Martha A. Allhands. To this union were born ten children, two dying in' infancy. The mother died in April, 1903. One brother, W. L. Hatton, of Whittier, Cal., and eight children are left to mourn his departure, viz., Mrs. John Dowsey, of Monticello; Mrs. Albert Witham, of Rensselaer, Ernest, of Idaville, Merritt, of Lowell, Frank of Roselawn, George, of Momence, Mrs. Geo. Chappell, of Grant Park, and Laura, who has always remained at home with the parents, and after the death of the mother, stood faithfully by her father’s side, always ready to administer to his wants, and to comfort him in his declining years. For two and a half years Mr. Hatton had been in feeble health, but had borne his sufferings patiently. Although not identified with any church, his great heart of love and noble self sacrifice for the good and comfort of others, has led him to be one of the most faithful of men. His life was so pure, good and noble, and his deeds of love so widely distributed, that all who knew him felt the blessings of his kindness and the uplift of association with him. A good word and good will toward everyone were conspicuous among his many virtues. None knew him but to love him. Faithful to all his friends, a devoted, self-sacrificing and loving father, not only to his children, but all his relatives and friends rise up and call him blessed.  A precious one from us is gone, A voice we loved is stilled; A place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled. His funeral was held at Momence Friday at the Baptist church and was attended by a large number of his old friends and neighbors, who gathered to pay their last respects to one they had loved and honored, both as a neighbor and comrade. Rev. Deer officiated at the funeral service. Interment was made in Nichols cemetery. Undertaker Melby had charge of the burial service. The following men, friends of the deceased, acted as pallbearers: John and George Graves, B. L. Tabler, James Kirby, Frank Massey and Mat Grimes. —Contributed.