El Dorado County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm




ARETAS J. WILTON
 
            A resident of Kentucky Flat, first saw the light of day in the town 
of Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, on February 27, 1827.  His father, 
James Wilton, was from Woolwich, Kent county, England, and his mother Hulda 
(Bristol) was of German descent.  In 1845 Aretas became master of a vessel on 
Lake Champlain, and continued sailing on the lake until 1853.  During that year 
he arrived at Placerville, California, and for three years following was a miner 
at White Rock.  He next moved to Volcanoville, and in the spring of 1859, he 
came to his present home of 160 acres, on Section 22, township 13 north, range 
11 E.  It is valuable mining land, and also much of it good agricultural land, 
and well adopted to fruit growing and vines.  He was wedded to Isabella 
Marshall, a native of Canada, on February 25, 1850, and to them have been born 
four children, viz.:  Jane Ann, who died when 18 years old, George J., Seth A., 
and Merrick, who lost his life by accidental choking when 14 months old.  
            His sons are both married and residing on Kentucky Flat.   George J. 
was married April 26, 1881, to Lora E. Smith, Fred Elmer, their son, was born 
February 9, 1882.  Seth A. was married July 26, 1877, to Lydia A. Dow, and one 
son, Cyrus Merritt has been born to them.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p � 268-269
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler