Mancel D. Alton passed away at the Graham hospital, Keokuk, Iowa, on the morning of Nov. 7, 1927, aged 71 years, 10 months and 27 days.

Critically ill for some weeks, this message was not unexpected by the family and friends, who have been hoping against hope that their loved one might rally, but the weakened vitality failed to respond to the skilled and efficient care by which he was surrounded, and well-worn and weary he passed to his reward.

Mancel Alton was born Dec. 10, 1855.  His parents, Miles and Jane (Parker) Alton, long held residence in Fountain Green township, where they were well and favorably known, and where were reared their family, of whom remained for many years, this son and two daughters, but this second summons in recent weeks, leaves alone surviving, Mrs. Jennie D'Autremont, of Hume, New York.

On March 1, 1876, Mancel Alton was united in marriage to Amelia A. Weiser, whose happy helpful companionship brightened his life for nearly a half century.  Six children were born to them, all of whom survive, but one daughter, Ella, who passed away in 1917.  Those who today mourn the passing of a dear father are: Mrs. Maude Murtland and Charles L. Alton, of Manhattan, Ill.; Mrs. Myrtle Barbe, of LaHarpe; Clinton W. Alton, of Keokuk; and Hugh E., of Hamilton. There are also fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mr. Alton was a faithful husband, an affectionate father, a kind neighbor and friend.  He followed farming for many years, later giving up the work for a clerkship.  He was an ardent democrat, receiving from the party positions of trust which he filled creditably and acceptably.  He has been long identified with the Modern Woodmen, holding official relation to the order at various times.

On Feb 27, 1922 [sic], the beloved wife and mother closed her helpful useful life and passed to her reward.  Since that time Mr. Alton's wishes and welfare have been the chief concern of members of his family.  The summer months were passed in the old home with his son, Hugh, as companion and caretaker.  For his long-continued and constant filial devotion too much credit cannot be given.  He never allowed his father to want for any comfort it was in his power to bestow.  As the colder months advanced it was his custom to journey to the home of his daughter, Maude, where the same measure of kindness and watchcare awaited him.

But lately unable to venture upon the trip his closing days were passed in Keokuk, at the home of his son, Clint, who, with his most estimable wife tenderly ministered to his needs.  Mr. Alton has been for years handicapped by a meager measure of health, which was depleted by frequent illness.  In the early spring he was severely stricken and has since been laid aside from active duty.  These later months have marked a steady decline.  Resting his hope upon the justice and mercy of God, he patiently and submissively awaited the summons he felt sure were coming.  He passed on deeply and sincerely mourned by family and friends in whose affections he held a sure abiding place.M. W. B.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church at Fountain Green on Wednesday, Nov. 9th, at 10:30 a. m., Rev. W. H. Harberts officiating.  Mrs. Ray Mosley and Mrs. L. C. Corson sang "Face to Face."

The surname Alton was originally spelled Allton, but through the years some family members began using the spelling Alton.

Mancel married Amelia Ann Weiser on March 1, 1876, in Fountain Green.  The license was issued to Mancel E. Alton and Amelia M. Weiser.  A handwritten note stated: The consent of the father of the said Mancel E. Alton having been given for the issue of this license.

Reverend Thomas M. Walker performed the ceremony.  He recorded Mancel's surname as Allton.  Marriage License  (76k)

Amelia was born in 1858 in Pennsylvania, probably in Northumberland County, one of ten children born to Solomon Weiser and Mary A. Miller.  Amelia died February 27, 1923, in Media, Henderson County, Illinois.  Her final resting place is also Fountain Green Cemetery.

The children of Mancel Alton and Amelia Weiser were as follows.  We are assuming the children were all born at home in Fountain Green Township:

i.	Bessie Maude Alton, born about 1877 in Fountain Green Township, Hancock County, Illinois.  She died between September 3, 1935, and April 23, 1955.
ii.	Clinton Weiser Alton, born February 9, 1880, in Fountain Green Township.  He died between April 1, 1930, and April 23, 1955.
iii.	Myrtle Belle Alton, born October 23, 1881, in Fountain Green Township.  She died February 13, 1963, at LaHarpe, Hancock County, Illinois.  She was buried at LaHarpe Cemetery, LaHarpe, Hancock County, Illinois.
iv.	Alta Ellen Alton, also found as Ella Alta Alton, born March 31, 1884, in Fountain Green Township.  She died January 15, 1917, in Hancock County, and was buried at Majorville Cemetery in Hancock Township.
v.	Hugh E. Alton, born November 10, 1891, in Fountain Green Township, died April 23, 1955, at Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois.  He shares a tombstone with his parents at Fountain Green Cemetery.
vi.	Charles Luther Alton, born in Fountain Green Township.  When Charles signed up for the draft on June 5, 1917, he gave his date of birth at March 8, 1896; Social Security death records online show March 8, 1897.  He was the youngest of the six children who grew to adulthood and appears to have been the last surviving sibling.  He died in November of 1977, probably in Will County, Illinois.
vii. viii.	Mancel's obituary mentions only six children, but the 1900 census reported that Amelia was the mother of 8 children, 6 living; the 1910 census reported 7 children, 6 living.

Mills Alton, 37, male, farmer, value of real estate 2000, value of personal estate 500, born NY
Parker, 30, female, born OH
Eva, 6, female, born IL, attended school within the year
Mansel, 4, male, born IL

Alton, Miles, 35, male, white, farmer, value of real estate 700, value of personal estate 500, born NY, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
Jane E, 30, female, white, keeping house, born OH
Eva, 15, female, white, born IL, attended school within the year
Mansil, 14, male, white, born IL, attended school within the year
Jennie, 8, female, white, born IL, attended school within the year

Family 78
Allton, Miles, white, male, 56, married, farmer, born NY, father born CT, mother born VT
Elizabeth J, white, female, 52, wife, married, keeping house, born OH, both parents born VA

Family 79
Allton, Mansel, white, male, 24, married, farmer, born IL, father born NY, mother born OH
Amelia, white, female, 24, wife, married, keeping house, born PA, both parents born PA
Bessie M, white, female, 3, daughter, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA
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Allton, Clinton, white, male, 4/12, born Feb, son, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA

Alton, Mancell, head, white, male, Dec 1855, 44, married for 23 years, born IL, father born NY, mother born OH, day labor, months not employed [illegible], could read, write and speak English, owned his farm home

[given name illegible] A, wife, white, female, May 1857 [maybe, hard to read], 43, married for 23 years; mother of 8 children, 6 living; born PA, both parents born PA, could read, write and speak English

[continued on next page]

Maud, daughter, white, female, June 1877, 23, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, teacher (school), months not employed - 4, could read, write and speak English

Clint W, son, white, male, Feb 1880, 20, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, farm labor, months not employed - 4, could read, write and speak English

Myrtle B, daughter, white, female, Oct 1882, 17, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, music teacher, months not employed - 6, could read, write and speak English

Ella A, daughter, white, female, Mar 1884, 16, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, at school, attended school for 8 months, could read, write and speak English

Hugh E, son, white, male, Nov 1892, 7, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, at school, attended school for 8 months, could read, write and speak English

Chars [sic], son, white, male, Mar 1896, 4, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA

Alton, Mancil D, head, male, white, 52, married (1st) for 34 years, born IL, father born NY, mother born OH, spoke English, occupation - [no entry], could read and write, owned his home free of mortgage

Melia N, wife, female, white, 50, married (1st) for 34 years; mother of 7 children, 6 living; born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English, gardeness ?, truck, working on own account, could read and write

Hugh E, son, male, white, 18, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Charles L, son, male, white, 13, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Alton, Mansel, head, owned his home free of mortgage, male, white, 63, married, could read and write, born IL, father born NY, mother born OH, spoke English

Melia, wife, female, white, 62, married, could read and write, born PA, both parents born PA

Hugh, son, male, white, 28, single, could read and write, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, spoke English, teacher, public school, working for wages