Walton, Judge Wellington C.

The news of the death of Judge Walton in Omaha came as a great surprise and shock to this community yesterday morning. He was operated upon at the Clarkson hospital on Friday but seemed to recover from it and was getting along nicely up to late Monday evening, when he became suddenly worse. His daughter, Mrs. C.T. Farnham, was sent for and she and Mr. Farnham drove down in the rain, the word having been received too late to go on the train. Mr. Walton recognized them after they arrived but failed rapidly, death coming at 3:05 yesterday morning. The body was brought up on the train this morning and the funeral will be held at the residence at 3:30 this afternoon, Rev. W.H. Underwood officiating. Mrs. Walton died only a little over two months ago, March 18th, so they were not long separated.

Wellington C. Walton was born in Edwardsburg, Mich., May 10th, 1844, and was therefore just past 73 years of age. He grew to manhood there and studied law for a time in St. Paul, finishing in Judge Lake’s office in Omaha, and was admitted to the bar. He came to Blair about as soon as there was any Blair, in 1869, and went into partnership with M. Ballard. After Mr. Ballard’s death he was alone for a time, later forming a partnership with D.Z. Mummert. He was appointed judge in this district by Gov. Crounse, but the work wasn’t congenial and he resigned before his term had expired. He had served as member of the state senate, county attorney, mayor of the city, city attorney and in many other capacities during his long residence among us. He was a man of large abilities and he passes on full of years and honor. He was married to Miss Addie R. Lantry January 29th, 1871, in this city and leaves an only daughter, Mrs. C.T. Farnham, and one sister, Mrs. John Williams, of Edwardsburg, Mich. He will be greatly missed by many friends old and new, but especially by the surviving members of a quartette of old settlers that gathered so often in front of the Lantry market in the evening, L.L. Lantry, Joe S. Cook and John McQuarrie.

PROMINENT LAWYER OF STATE DIES IN OMAHA

(picture of Judge W.C. Walton of Blair and Grandchild)

Attorney W.C. Walton of Blair, aged 73 years, died yesterday at the Clarkson hospital, Omaha, from a complication of diseases. Mr. Walton came to Blair in 1869, the year the town was started. His home was in Niles, Mich., where he was graduated from a law school. He was a member of the state legislature, served a term as district judge and had been mayor of Blair, county attorney and also several terms as city attorney. Mr. Walton leaves one daughter, Mrs. Charles Farnam, and grandchild, Ruth. He was a staunch republican all his life.

#2-Published in the Blair Democrat May 24, 1917

Judge W. C. Walton Passes To The Great Beyond

Death claimed Judge W. C. Walton at 3:05 a.m., Tuesday May 22, 1917, following an operation at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. He was operated on Friday and seemingly recovered from the effects, but Monday began to fail rapidly. His daughter, C. T. Mrs. Farnham was notified and accompanied by Mr. Farnham, they drove to Omaha and were with the judge when the end came.

Judge Walton was one of the landmarks of Blair, coming her in 1869 shortly after the town started and has been prominently identified with the growth of the city, from a small, prairie town to the Blair today, and Judge Walton had not a little to do with the growth of the city, having served in the capacity of mayor and city attorney at several different times. He at one time represented the county in the state senate, and was appointed by Gov. Crounse as judge of the second judicial district. Not particularly liking the work, he resigned before his term expired.

Wellington C. Walton was born in Edwardsburg, Mich., May 10, 1844, where he grew to manhood. He studied law at St. Pau, Minn., for a time and finished in Judge Lake’s office in Omaha, where he was admitted to the bar. He came to Blair in 1869 and entered the practice of law with M. Ballard. After the death of Mr. Ballard he was alone for a time later forming a partnership with D. Z, Mummert, under the firm name of Walton & Mummert and continued the practice of law up to the time of his death.

On January 29, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Addie Lantry, who died on March 18, of this year. Judge Walton is survived by his only daughter, Mrs. C. T. Farnham of this city, and a sister, Mrs. John Williams, of Edwardsburg, Mich. The body was brought up from Omaha on Wednesday morning and taken to his late residence, from whence the funeral was conducted by Rev. Underwood of the Methodist Church, at 3:30 in the afternoon.

~~~There is an additional obituary on file, published in the Tribune May 23, 1917. It does not have any additional information.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.