(6) Robert H. Alton and (7) Isabella Texas Davis

Lineage: Pauline McClanahan Cooper > Leona Alton >

(6) Robert H. Alton (my 2nd great-grandfather) was born around 1854 in the Chattanooga Valley in Walker County, Georgia to John Alton and Elizabeth Amanda ?. He was a farmer and politician.

(7) Isabella Texas Davis (my 2nd great-grandmother) was born on 27 Mar 1859 in Snow Hill, Hamilton County, Tennessee to )(14) Barney Davis and (15) Nancy Reed. Texas’s family on her mother’s side were members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Click here to find out more about our Cherokee Ancestry.

Robert is first seen, in the 1860 census, living in the Dirt Town district of Floyd County, Georgia. Floyd County is just south of Walker County, where he was born. He is 7 years old and living with his parents John (29) and Amanda (26) Alton and his younger sister, Mary E. Alton (3).

In 1864, during the Civil War, Isabella was 3 years old and living with her family in Hamilton County, TN. Her father was a staunch Unionist and two of her brother’s were Union soldiers. In late January, a group of Rebel Guerrillas arrested her father, along with two other men, and shot them in the back of the head. This incident is covered more in the profile of Barney and Nancy Davis. Isabella’s mother, Nancy, died the next year.

In the 1870 census, Isabella is living with her grandmother, Sarah Eastridge Davis. Isabella and all of her siblings are listed as “Indian (Native American).”

In the 1870 census, Robert is 16 and living with in the home of his parents John L. (44), Eliza A. (34), and siblings Mary E. (13), John D. (9), Elijah B. (4), and Martha P. (4 months). They are living in Hamilton County, TN, just over the boarder from Walker County, GA. Robert is listed as a farm laborer.

In 1879, Robert H. Alton marries Isabella Texas Davis.

In the 1880 census, Robert (26) is married to Isabel T. [Isabella Texas] (22). They are living in James County, TN and Robert is still a farm laborer.

The 1890 census was destroyed, but in the 1900 census, Robert and Texas are living in Marion County, TN and are living with their following children James (13), John (12), Kate (8), Lina (7),  McKinley (4), and Claude (5 months). Their daughter, Leona (18), is living next door to them with her husband George Alexander McClanahan. Robert is listed as a farmer, renting his own farm.

On 5 Apr 1906, Robert H. Alton was appointed as a delegate for the Republican Delegate Convention, according to the Sequachee Valley News.

 In the 1910 census, Robert and Texas are still living in Marion county with 6 of their children living with them. Robert is still a farmer and rents his farm. He is listed as an employer, rather than as an employee.

On 2 Jan 1918, their granddaughter, Nellie McClanahan was married at their home.

Isabella Texas (Davis) Alton died on 5 May 1919 in Richard City, Marion County, Tennessee. She died of tuberculosis, which had already taken two of her sons. She is buried in Lasater Cemetery. She was 60 years old.

In the 1920 census, Robert is listed as a widow, living in Richard City, Marion County, TN with his children Kate, Lina, Claude, and grandson Clyde. He is still renting his home.

Robert H. Alton died on 9 Jun 1921 in Marion County, Tennessee. He died of tuberculosis, which had already taken two of his sons and his wife. He is buried in Lasater Cemetery. He was approximately 67 years old.

Robert H. Alton and Isabella Texas Davis:

1. Leona “Ona” m. George Alexander McClanahan
2. James Robert m. Mattie Schadwick
3. William Burdine m. Nancy Jane Curtis
4. John
5. Decatur “Kate”
6. Lina “Liney”
7. McKinley
8. Claude

Appendix:

Tennessee "Tennie" Davis 1906 Guion Miller Roll Application (pdf)

Texas (Davis) Alton 1906 Guion Miller Roll Application (pdf)

Lafayette Davis 1906 Guion Miller Roll Application (pdf)

Leona "Ona" (Alton) McClanahan's 1907 Guion Miller Roll Application (pdf)

Burduir Alton 1906 Guion Miller Roll Application (pdf)