OBIT: Samuel WIGTON, 1886, formerly of Huntingdon County, PA

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Death of Samuel Wigton.

  From the Altoona Tribune, we learn that Samuel Wigton died at his 
home in Altoona on Monday at 12.30 p.m.  The Tribune says: Mr. Wigton 
had been so long and favorably known by the citizens of this and 
adjoining counties and was a man of such sterling worth and mature 
character that we feel assured our readers will be interested in the 
following sketch of his life:
  Mr. Wigton was the oldest son of Captain Christopher Hughes Wigton 
and Margaret Hines Wigton, and was born in West Caln township, Chester 
county, Pa., on the 25th of October, 1812.  He had three sisters older 
than himself, two of whom, Elizabeth and Mrs. Margaret Riddell, are 
deceased, while one, Mrs. Eleanor Wallace, lives in Harrisburg.  There 
are also two brothers and one sister younger than himself living, viz.: 
A. J. Wigton, of Six Mile Run, Bedford county, this State; R. B. 
Wigton, the well-known iron and coal merchant of Philadelphia, and Mrs. 
Mary A. Dysart, wife of Joseph Dysart, of this city.
  About the year 1838 Samuel Wigton came with his parents to the Spruce 
Creek valley, Huntingdon county.  He was married on the 27th of April 
1841, to Eliza D. Ingram, Rev. Samuel Hill, who was for many years the 
pastor of the Spruce Creek Presbyterian church, officiating.  Mr. and 
Mrs. Wigton lived together happily for a period of almost forty years, 
her death occurring on the 12th of April, 1881.
  The children of this union were, Theodore H., of this city, cashier 
of the Altoona bank; Wade H., of Harrisburg; John M., of Spruce Creek; 
Anna M. and C. W., of Altoona; William I., living in the west, and a 
son, G. B. who died in childhood.
  Mr. Wigton was a substantial and successful business man and a 
citizen of great usefulness.  A man whose advice was sought, and whose 
judgment was trusted by his neighbors and fellow citizens.  He 
possessed in a large measure those qualities and characteristics which 
beget respect and inspire confidence.
  For some years he was associated with his brother, R. B. Wigton, in 
the Mattern forges in Spruce Creek valley, and afterward from 1845 to 
1857 they successfully operated together the Rock Hill furnace, near 
Orbisonia.  During all this time, and indeed during his whole active 
life, Mr. Wigton maintained the vocation of a farmer, that peaceful and 
honorable pursuit which has given to this land so much of social 
strength and moral solidity.  He lived on the homestead until 1856 when 
he removed some miles up the valley, to the farm on which he made his 
home, until less than a year since.  Mr. Wigton served for three years 
as a commissioner of Huntingdon county.  He was one of the founders of 
the Altoona bank, and one of its directors at the time of his death.
  Mr. Wigton was a man of strong religious convictions and character.  
He was for about fifty years a member of the Spruce Creek Presbyterian 
church, and for more than twenty years a ruling elder, in which office 
he served with great acceptance, and efficiency.  His consistent 
religious life made a deep impression for good upon the community in 
which he lived.  Many bear witness to the help that came to them from 
his example and his counsel in their purpose and efforts to forsake 
evil and do good.
  The deceased was a pronounced temperance man.  His voice and his 
influence, his whole life were against the great evil of intemperance.  
In connection with Judge McWilliams and other pioneers in this cause, 
he was instrumental more than thirty years ago, in banishing from the 
township (Franklin) in which he lived, all sale of any intoxicating 
liquors.
  Mr. Wigton removed to Altoona in October, 1885.  He was taken sick in 
January and by the steady, gradual encroachment of disease health and 
vitality were undermined, until peacefully he fell asleep and "was 
gathered in, as a shock of corn cometh in, in his season."  During his 
last hours he was most carefully and faithfully watched over and 
ministered upon by his children, who loved and revered him living and 
will in all the years to come cherish his memory as a most priceless 
possession.
  The remains were interred at the Spruce Creek Presbyterian cemetery 
yesterday morning at 11 o'clock.  Revs. Joseph Kelley and J. L. Russel 
officiated.

Huntingdon Globe, Huntingdon, Pa., May 6, 1886