HUGH McDERMID CATON

Hugh M. & Nancy Ann (Harvey) Caton

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri.  Brown & Co., p. 882-883:

Hugh M. Caton

(Farmer, Section 6, Post-office, Nevada)

   Perhaps within the limits of Vernon county there is no name more familiar--especially to the early settlers--than that borne by the subject of this sketch, and it is one on which no shadow of reproach has even fallen. A number of the prominent men of the county have married members of this family, while others trace relationship to that honored pioneer citizen, Noah Caton, than whom no more popular man ever resided here. Noah Caton was born in North Carolina, and when about four years old accompanied his parents to Kentucky, from whence they subsequently came to Warren county, Mo. After attaining manhood he married Miss Fanny McDermid, who was a Kentuckian by birth, her father also being an early settler of Warren county, this State. Up to the age of 17 years Hugh M. lived at home in Warren county, then moving with the family to Carroll county in 1834, where he resided until 1837. While a resident of that locality, and during the season of 1837, he and his mother made a trip on horseback to Little Osage, in Vernon county, and became so favorably impressed with the locality that it was not a great while until their permanent settlement here. Previous to this time two sisters of Mrs. Caton had become residents of this county, one having married Moses Summers and the other Jesse Summers, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. January 1, 1839, Mr. Caton decided to remove to this section, which he did in March following, the father locating north of Nevada. Of his large family of children 10 grew to maturity: Christopher P., who settled in Holt county, Mo.; Hugh M., Jesse H. who went to Oregon in 1842; William S., Elizabeth, Susan, wife of Thomas Myers; Roselle, who married first Isaac Jones, and after his death Sylvester Fuller; Nelson B., Caroline, now Mrs. John Wray; and Hester, wife of James Moore.  After remaining here two years our subject returned to Carroll county, but in 1854 again came back, settling where he now lives. August 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Harvey, a native of Alabama, daughter of Ebenaezer and Sarah Harvey, the former of whom died when his daughter was some five years old. The mother died in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Caton have a family of six children living: Frances, wife of A. J. Longacre; Charles, Theresa, now Mrs. William P. Barnett, of Iowa; John W., Mary, wife of W. H. Parman, and Lee. Mr. C. and wife are members of the M.E. Church South, in which they take great interest. The former since his residence here has made all the excellent improvements which now adorn his place. Though owning at this time but 275 acres, he has been a large land owner, but has given liberally to his children.

VERNON’S OLD SETTLERS.

 They Meet and Talk Over Olden Times.

 Brief Biographical Sketches of Old Settlers.

 A Glorious Day at Sulphur Springs—Some of the Speakers Notes of Interest About Old Timers.

   The old settlers of Vernon county picnicked to-day at Sulphur Springs.

   About six hundred were there by noon, many of them with well filled baskets of palatable provisions, which were spread at the noon hour, and all enjoyed a gorgeous feast.  There was an abundance for all, and to spare.  The old timers talked and laughed and ate together, and many were the incidents of other days that were related.  Some of the older ones lived again, in the long ago, and enjoyed it.

   No regular set program of speaking was arranged, further than for Judge C. G. Burton, Jno. T. Birdseye, Judge Cresap and Guy Nelson.  They all spoke during the afternoon, and others were added to the list.  The speaking was what might be expected at an old settlers re-union.  It was good and was attentively listened to.

   Among the old settlers the Mail reporter found the following.   ...

   H. M. Caton was born October 15, 1817 in Warren county, Mo.  He came to Vernon in April 1839, and drank at the Sulphur Spring where the reunion is held, on his arrival here.  His home has been in Drywood township since his arrival here.

The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri.  August 8, 1894.

DEAD IN BED. 

Sudden Death of the Venerable Hugh M. Caton.

Attended the Old Settler's Reunion and Then Returned Home.

His Last Meeting with Earthly Friends -- The Wife's Terrible Discovery -- He Passed Peacefully Away.

   Yesterday the old settlers of Vernon county held one of the most enjoyable meetings in the history of the county.

   Among the pioneers in attendance was Hugh M. Caton.

   Today he is a corpse. This announcement will tinge the horizon of happiness of that meeting with sorrow, as his death was so sudden and unexpected.

FOUND DEAD IN BED.

   After Mr. Caton had attended the old settlers' meeting he returned home in Drywood township, and, up to the hour of retiring for the night, was feeling well for a man of his advanced years, but before retiring he remarked to his venerable wife that he felt a strange feeling about his heart. The couple occupied separate beds in a room at the time. The wife was not the least apprehensive of the terrible realization that was to follow. Upon her arising this morning, and, after getting breakfast and doing other morning routine work, she went to awaken her husband. He was apparently peacefully sleeping, but it was the calm sleep of death. He did not respond to her calls--he was dead. He had died peacefully, there being no evidence of pain or struggle. In his hand was a handkerchief, as though in life.

August 10, 1894.

Front row: Sarah Frances (Caton) Longacre, Hugh Caton, Nancy (Harvey) Caton, Charles Caton.

Back row: John Caton, Theresa (Caton) Barnett, Robert E. Lee Caton, Mary (Caton) Parman.

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