My Genealogy Hound

HENRY P. MELTON, farmer, stock-raiser and old settler of Ballard County, was born April 2, 1822, in Jackson County, Ala., and is the second of two children born to John C. and Penelope (Vester) Melton, natives of North Carolina. The grandparents, Joseph and Ferabe Melton, were supposed to have been descendants of Pocahontas; the grandfather, on the mother’s side, was David Vester, of Irish descent. Both grandfathers were in the war of 1812, and both were wounded. Grandfather Melton was also in the Creek war. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, received a limited education, and with his brother came to the Purchase in 1839, and settled south of Mayfield Creek, Ballard Co., Ky., where they bought 160 acres of land and improved it Our subject has improved here ten or twelve farms, more than any other man in the county. He located where he now lives in 1860, and owns 433 acres of land in good condition, and two other farms containing 173 acres; also two houses and lots in Blandville. He is the architect of his own fortune, having started in life almost penniless. He was married in October, 1840, to Mary A. Sams, of Ballard County, daughter of Wiley and Sarah (Atherton) Sams, natives of North Carolina, the mother of Irish descent. He had born to him by this union four children: M. C. (deceased), Eliza J. (now Stienbeck), H. R. and F. M. Mrs. Melton died in August, 1856, a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Melton was next married in June, 1858, to Frances Atherton, of Ballard County, daughter of C. and Ellen (Burrow) Atherton, and one child was born to this union: Mary G. (now Owens). The second wife died in April, 1859, a member of the Baptist Church. He was next married in June 1860, to Sarah Stienbeck, of Missouri, daughter of William and Zylpha (Poe) Stienbeck. Her father was born in Berlin, Prussia. To this union were born six children: Maganar (Spencer), Leander J., Belle B. (now Chandler), Henrietta J., Sidney Lee and Flora F. This third wife died in November, 1873, a member of the Baptist Church. His fourth marriage was on July 30, 1874, to Mrs. Anna M. Barnum, of Pulaski County, Ill., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Cams, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina and of French and English descent, respectively. By this union one child was born: Angie H. Mr. and Mrs. Melton are members of the Baptist Church. He has served as justice for nine years, has been a Mason since 1848, and is an Odd Fellow. He cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk, and has voted the Democratic ticket ever since.