SKELTON, David J.
David J Skelton
Source: Weik's History Of Putnam County, Indiana
Illustrated 1910: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers Indianapolis, Indiana
Author: Jesse W. Weik Pages 324-326
Among the leading farmers and public spirited citizens of Washington township is David J. SKELTON, who was born April 16, 1873, on land in Putnam County, entered by his grandfather, William SKELTON, shortly after this part of the state was opened for settlement. William SKELTON came to this County in an early day and here married mary Ann JENKINS, whose parents were also among the pioneers. He entered a quarter section of land in Washington township, and in due time cleared and improved a farm on which his death afterwards occurred at the age of fifty-four or fifty-six years, which is still in the family name; his widow still survived him a number of years, dying at the ripe old age of eighty-seven. Two sons of this worthy couple grew to maturity and are still living, Jeremiah, of Bowling Green, Clay County, and William, father of the subject of this sketch, one son dying in infancy; there were also two daughters, Almira, who married Philip WARD, and lived for a number of years on the homestead, dying some time ago at Terre Haute, and Mrs. Harriet BROTHERTON, who spent her entire life on the home place.
David J. SKELTON was reared in agricultural pursuits and remained with his father until his twenty-second year, attending at intervals in the meantime the district schools and growing up to the full stature of well developed manhood and amply fitted to grapple with life and duty. Om March 4, 1895, he was married to Martha Charlotte McELROY, daughter of Welcome R and Mary (BARNETT) McELROY, the union being terminated by the untimely death of the young wife within less than a year, she leaving a son, Glenn C., a bright and promising youth of fourteen years at this writing (1910). Later, September 4, 1898, Mr. SKELTON married his present wife, whos emaiden name was Lena Alice WHITE, daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (NUGENT) WHITE, and whose birth occurred in Parke County, on October 8, 1872. Mrs. SKELTON's father was a native of Pennsylvania, but when a young man came to Ohio, thence to Parke County, Indiana, where he married and reared a family of thirteen children and spent the remainder of his days, his wife surviving him and still living on the farm where he made his home for so many years.
Mr. SKELTON, with his brothers George and Clarence, owned the homestead for several years, their father deeding it to them, but the subject afterwards sold out to George, and purchased his present farm, which was formerly owned by Harrison ELLIOTT and to which he has since added three hundred to the original one hundred and twenty acres, making a fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. The place, which is one of the best in the County, is adapted to agriculture and stock raising, to the latter of which Mr. SKELTON devotes especial attention, being a successful breeder and raiser of high-grade horses, mules, cattle and hogs. In addition to his beautiful home place, he owns the W. R. McELROY farm of forty-three acres, which formerly belonged to the father of his first wife and which with its fine buildings and other improvements adds very materially to his fortune.
As a farmer, Mr. SKELTON easily ranks among the most enterprising and successful in Putnam County, being progressive in his methods and keeping fully abreast of the times on all matters relating to modern agriculture. He raises abundant crops of grain, vegetables, fruits, etc. and by a judicious system of rotation seldom if ever fails to realize liberal returns from his time and labor. His continued success indicates the possession of much more than ordinary ability and he is today not only one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of his County, but also stands high as a business man and financier.
The SKELTON home is a model of its kind and in many respects one of the most beautiful and desirable residents in Putnam County. Everything on the premioses bears testimony to the care and attention of the proprietor and the deep interest he takes in the proscecution of his labors.
In political views Mr. SKELTON is a Democrat and as such wields a strong influence for his party locally and throughout the County, being a judicious adviser in its councils and an influential worker in the ranks. At one time he wa a candidate for the office of County commissioner. He is not an office seeker, however, preferring to work for his friends rather than aspire to public honors for himself. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge; altlhough not identified with any religious organization, he is a regular attendant and liberal contributor to the Baptist church, with which his wife holds membership.