Saint Joseph County MI Archives Biographies.....Catton, Joseph B. August 12, 1824 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 18, 2007, 9:06 pm Author: Chapman Brothers JOSEPH B. CATTON, a retired farmer living pleasantly and comfortably in Constantine Village, has been a witness of almost the entire growth of St. Joseph County, from the primeval forest covered land of more than half a century ago to its present advanced state as a wealthy agricultural region, where commerce and manufactures also flourish, as in 1833, when he was nine years of age, his parents, John and Mary (Barnard) Catton came to this county and cast in their lot with the earliest pioneers of Southern Michigan, and with the exception of a few years he has ben a resident here ever since. He was for a long time subsequent to attaining manhood actually identified withe the agricultural interests of the county, and still owns a valuable farm of 200 acres in Constantine Township. He has therefore been a factor in developing the county, and as such we are glad to represent him in this biographical work, where the record of so many of St. Joseph County's pioneers and leading men is preserved for the editification of the present and coming generations. The parents of our subject were natives of Yorkshire, England, and there grew to maturity and married. In 1832, determining to avail themselves of the numerous advantages that the United States of America presented over the mother country, they emigrated with their family of five sons and three daughters to these hospitable shores, and for awhile lived in the State of New York. The following year they came to St. Joseph County and settled in White Pigeon Township, of which they thus early became pioneers. They lived there for many years and patiently endured the discomforts and even hardships of life in a newly settled country. They afterward spent seven years in Indiana, but returned to this State and settled once more in St. Joseph County, and finally passed to the home beyond the grave from their earthly home in Constantine Township. He of whom we write was the youngest child of those worthy people, and is now the only surviving member of the family. He was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 12, 1824, and was quite young when he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic to make his home in the future on this continent, and as time passed on to become a respected citizen of one of the great commenwealths forming the United States. He lived with his parents until their death, including seven years' residence in Indiana. In 1852 he was smitten with the eager thirst for gold that sent so many of our countrymen and the people of other nationalities flocking across the great plains and over the Rocky Mountains to California, to seek for the precious metal. Two years he spent mining in that State, and his hard toil met with due reward, and at the end of that time he returned to St. Joseph County, well satisfied with his gains, to settle down in life. He turned his attention to farming in Constantine Township, and was so successful in his venture that in November, 1886, he retired to his present home, to enjoy the present competence that he had won by honest and untiring industry, and now lives very quietly, surrounded by all the comforts that heart could wish. Mr. Catton was married in Mottville Township, Jan. 1, 1855, to Mrs. Elmira Shellenberger, daughter of Tobias and Catherine Hassenger. Her parents came to St. Joseph County in 1846, and settled in the western part of Constantine Township, where the father died Jan. 8, 1874, when he was within three weeks of being sixty-two years of age. She died on the 11th of December, 1888, lacking but a few eeks of completing her eighty-first year. Both were natives of Allegheny County, Pa., and both when young emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, where they were married. They removed to Wood County, Ohio, and later to St. Joseph County, Mich., settling upon a farm in the western part of Constantine Township, on which place they lived until the death of the father, after which the mother removed to the residence of her youngest daughter in Constantine Township, where her death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Hassenger were the parents of eleven children, three daughters and eight sons, and Mrs. Catton was their third child in order of birth. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Catton have had four children, of whom the following is recorded: Mary E., is the wife of Morris Hayman; George F. is married to Lutie, daughter of William and Ruth Simmons, has two children, and lives on his father's farm in Constantine Township; Willie died in infancy, and Henry B. is a teacher in Constantine Township. Mr. Catton is in every sense of the phrase a good man. He has been industrious and thrifty, and always dealing fairly and squarely with his fellowmen, deserves that prosperity should smile on him. In his wife Mr. Catton secured a true helpmate, one who is a judicious and capable manager, who has actively co-operated with him in his work and has never neglected the comfort of her household. She and her husband are true Christians and are esteemed members of the Reformed Church, of which he is an elder. They are very pleasant, amiable people, whom to know is to like. Mr. Catton interest himself in the political affairs of the Nation, and warmly espouses the cause of the Democratic party. Additional Comments: Transcribed from the Portrait & Biographical Album of St. Joseph Co. Chapman Brothers 1889 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/stjoseph/bios/catton678gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb