San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 471
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/23/2009
JOHN C. DUTTON
Among the agriculturists who have reaped the usual rewards that fall to the pioneer in any practical industry may be found John C. Dutton, the owner of a ranch of thirty-nine acres on the Cherokee Lane, about eight and a half miles from Stockton, where he has continuously resided for the past forty-eight years. A native of Illinois, he was born in Lawrence County on August 17, 1842, a son of William and Eliza (Bryan) Dutton, the former a native of Somerset, O., and the latter of North Carolina. Early in young manhood, the father removed to Illinois and was a pioneer farmer of that state. John C. Dutton is one of a family of eight children. The mother passed away in 1861, when she was about fifty years old and the father survived her until 1864, passing away at the age of sixty years.
John C. Dutton had very little opportunity for an education, being obliged to assist his father on the farm. In 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil War in Company H, 61st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Daniel Grass, Colonel Fry and General Thomas. He trained for one week and was sent into action in the Army of the Cumberland and later in the Western Army; he was in eleven engagements, but was never wounded; he was in the battle of Murphysboro, Tenn., and the fall of Vicksburg. At the end of three years he was discharged and then reenlisted for the duration of the war and was finally discharged on December 10, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. Returning to civil life, he worked for awhile for wages, then rented eighty acres of farming land until 1868, when he came to California via the Panama route, settling first at Santa Rosa, where he remained for six years working for wages. He then removed to San Joaquin County and purchased his present ranch forty-eight years ago where he has since made his home. His first purchase consisted of 103 acres of grain land, but from time to time has sold portions of it until he now owns thirty-nine acres, seven acres of which is set to vineyard and the balance is devoted to the raising of grain with ample building space.
The marriage of Mr. Dutton occurred in Stockton on December 6, 1881, and united him with Mrs. Nettie Williamson Potter, born in Calaveras County, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Lewis) Williamson. James Williamson came to California in 1852 from Illinois, driving an ox-team across the plains and became a farmer in Calaveras County; later he removed to Arizona and passed away there. Mrs. Dutton was educated in the Milton and Knights Ferry schools. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton are the parents of two children: Chester, who died in 1919, married Miss Alma McQuator and they had one daughter, Dolly May. Edna May, Mrs. Raymond Burson, resides at Suisun and they have five children—Ralph, Floyd, Ellsworth, Zelma May and Paul. Mr. Dutton is a member of the Hartford Post, G.A.R., of Lodi, and of Charity Lodge No. 6, I.O.O.F., and politically is a Republican.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2011; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.