(Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920)

John A. Dalton is a rancher who has recently purchased a well improved ten-acre tract of land near Perkins station, four miles southwest of Boise. For twenty-two years previous to this time he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits near Grace, in Bannock county, Idaho. He was born in Willard city, Utah, fifteen miles from Ogden, October 26, 1858. His father, Mathew W. Dalton, also a farmer by occupation, was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, and had not reached his majority when he started for California overland with a wagon train in the year 1850. In southern Idaho he left the train with which he had thus far traveled, deciding not to continue the journey to California. He then went to Ogden, Utah, where he remained for a few years, after which he took up his permanent abode at Willard city, Utah, fifteen miles from Ogden. It was in Box Elder county, Utah, that his son John A. was born. The father after settling in Utah joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became a bishop's counselor. In 1906 he wrote and published a small volume, entitled: "A Key to This Earth," or "How Science Agrees With Our Beloved Redeemer." He was always a close student, particularly of astronomy. He passed away at Willard city, Utah, March 14, 1918, at the age of about eighty-eight years, his birth having occurred in 1830. His first wife was Rosilla Whittaker, who became the mother of John A. Dalton. He had three wives and twelve children In all, six of whom are yet living. Mrs. Rozilla (Whittaker) Dalton was born in North Carolina and passed away June 3, 1898.

It is interesting to note something of the more remote ancestry of Mr. Dalton, who finds that the family lineage is traced back to France, and representatives of the family went from that country to Ireland. John Dalton, his grandfather, was born at Arbrockin, Ireland, in 1780 and came to the United States in young manhood. He afterward returned to the Emerald isle, where he wedded Mary McGovern and in 1821 he again came to the United States, accompanied by his wife, thus founding in the new world the branch of the family to which John A. Dalton belongs.

The last named has always been a resident of the west. He was reared and educated in his native state and was married in Salt Lake City on the 22d of January, 1880, Miss- Elizabeth Jane Cook becoming his wife. She was born at Willard city, Utah, November 2. 1860, of Mormon parents — George and Hannah (Burrows) Cook, — who were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. They crossed the Atlantic as converts to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and at once made their way to Utah in 1854. Her father was born at Brabourne, Kent, England. January 28. 1828, and was married in 1854, starting for America with his bride the same year. They made their way up the Mississippi river by boat, then crossed the plains with ox team to Utah and located in Ogden in 1855 and in 1859 at Willard. The father died January 1, 1906, and his wife passed away February 15, 1891.

In 1886 Mr. Dalton removed to Idaho and for five years lived at Elba, Cassia county, but in 1891 returned to his native state. In 1898 he again came lo Idaho, residing at Grace, Bannock county, until March, 1920, when he purchased his present home near Perkins station and not far from the Cole school. He still owns his former place in Bannock county, where he has a fine residence that was built in 1912 and one hundred and sixty acres of land which he homesteaded and developed. He now has an attractive ten-acre ranch, highly cultivated and improved, and the characteristic energy and enterprise of Mr. Dalton will keep it always in excellent condition.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dalton have been born twelve children, six sons and six daughters, the youngest being thirteen years of age. One of the sons, John Alfred, who was born October 23, 1882, died July 8, 1895, at the age of twelve years. The eleven living children are as follows: Hannah Elizabeth, born November 4, 1880, is the wife of Nels P. Johnson. Rosilla M., born July IS, 1884, wedded Lamoni Tolman. Mary E., who was born December 8. 1886, is now the wife of Olaf Norseth. Elsie J., who was born March 9, 1889, is the wife of Charles W. Hubbard. George M., who was born February 1, 1891, married Zenna Anderson, who died of influenza and childbirth February 18, 1920, and both mother and child were buried in the same grave. George M. Dalton is residing near Grace, Idaho, and is prominent in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as bishop of Bench ward of Bannock county. Hazel Pearl, who was born December 4, 1892, is the wife of D. E. Peterson. Asel N., born December 21, 1894, married Ollie M. Larsen. Jennie A., who was born September 25, 1897, is the wife of William C. Brown, a veteran of the World war. The other members of the family are: Raymond E., who was born April 23, 1900; Clyde E., born June 21, 1903; and Floyd W., April 1, 1907.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Mormon church. Mr. Dalton was most widely and favorably known in Bannock county, where for almost a quarter of a century he was actively engaged in ranching. His industry and enterprise brought to him a very substantial measure of success, and he is also profitably conducting his present ranch property, upon which he took up his abode in 1920.