Biography - Alfred Hinton

HON. ALFRED HINTON was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 15th of February, 1800, being the second child of James and Catharine Hinton, who had a family of twelve children. The ancestors of Mr. Hinton, in consequence of religious persecution, came to America at an early date, and settled in the colony of Maryland. Four of the brothers of James Hinton were soldiers in the American army during the Revolution. In 1806, James Hinton removed with his family to Wellsburg, Virginia, and four years after, moved to Delaware county, Ohio. In 1816 he became a resident of Ghent, Gallatin county, Kentucky, where his death occurred, in 1819. Mrs. Hinton outlived all her children, except the subject of this sketch, and died at the advanced age of eighty years.

Judge Hinton, quite early in life, commenced learning the trade of carpenter, and, in the fall of 1818, came to Edwardsville, Illinois. He lived there about two years, and, in September, 1821, became a citizen of Greene county. In 1822, he entered a tract of land on Apple Creek Prairie, about three miles west of where Whitehall now stands. In March of the same year he married Miss Lucretia Pruitt, daughter of William and Sarah Pruitt, and immediately after his marriage he built a cabin and commenced the improvement of his land. Mr. and Mrs. Hinton had eleven children, of whom only five are living - all daughters, and they are married and settled in life. Their son, Emanuel J. Hinton, after his marriage, settled on a farm three miles south of Carrollton, and, in August, 1858, was murdered within a few rods of his house. Court being then in session, the murderers were promptly arrested, tried, convicted, and hung.

In 1835, Mr. Hinton was elected justice of the peace, and, by re-election, held that office about twelve years. In the fall of 1842 or 1843 he was elected a member of the legislature from Greene county. In the spring of 1843, for the purpose of educating his children, he settled in Carrollton, and soon after was appointed postmaster, which office he retained about nine years. In the fall of 1846 he was again elected to the legislature, and in 1851 and 1852 he superintended the building of the present court house, at Carrollton. In 1865 he was elected Judge of the Court of Greene county, and filled that office four years. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has been justice of the peace most of the time.

In 1832, Judge Hinton and wife became members of the Christian Church, at Carrollton, and for many years he has been an elder in the church. In politics, the Judge is a Democrat. His first vote for president was cast for John Quincy Adams, in the memorable contest of 1824.

On the 18th of February, 1869, the beloved partner of his bosom breathed her last, and in March, 1870, Judge Hinton was married to Mrs. Amy Holliday, of Kane, since which time he has been a resident of that town.

Extracted 05 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 34.

30 Jan 2019 Update
"I have done extensive research on my great, great grandfather, Judge Alfred Hinton. I discovered his biography has several errors on it, mainly that he was not the only child left alive when his father died. He had a sister, who lived in Carrollton and was married to a Reno and they were the parents of Marcus Reno, well known for his part in the Battle of Little Big Horn and the controversy which surrounded it. Judge Hinton was also a member of the Illinois State Legislature at one time."
Linda Davis Ballard linda.artmartfoods@gmail.com

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