Jacob Colton

     Jacob was born on Tuesday, 17 January 1826 in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England. He was christened there on 19 January 1826 in Wrawby at St. Mary the Virgin Church.¹ Jacob married Mary Ann Ward in 1852 in Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada. Jacob & Mary Ann had children: George William [8/31/1857-12/30/1946] [m. 1/04/1882 Anna Teresa Cline], Miriam Jane [701/1859-6/02/1930 [m.9/201899 John Albert Hall], Marvin Ward [12/01/1860-8/281944] [m. 1/14/1890Mary Isabella Minnie Seed], John Bingham [12/27/1862-5/07/1911] [m. Hettie Matilda Munn], James Wilbert [8/24/1864-2/02/1942], [m.1/31/1886 Agnetta Grace Stout], Thomas Bethel [6/23/1866-6/16/1937] [m. Eliza Pierce], Lela [1867], Mary Ida 1/25/1868-9/24/1948] [m. Victor Stevens], Charles Herbert [4/19/1871-11/19/1646]5/19/1897 Elsie Sutton], Alfred Franklin [7/11/1873-11/17/1954] [m. 1899 Rosie LaFountain]. 1881, Jacob and his wife, Mary, were listed on the Canadian Census at the Village of Bronte, Trafalgar Township. Enumerated in this household were Jacob Colton [55 England - Methodist, English, farmer], Elizabeth [48 Ontario - Methodist, English], Jane [22 Ontario], John [18 Ontario], James [16 Ontario], Thomas [14 Ontario], Lela [13 Ontario], Herbert [10 Ontario], Alfred [7 Ontario].² 27 April 1891, Jacob and his wife, Mary, were listed on the Canadian Census at the Village of Bronte, Trafalgar Township. Enumerated in this household were Jacob Colton [65 England - England & England, Methodist, farmer], Mary [59 Ontario - England & England, Methodist], Janne [32 Ontario], Thomas [25 Ontario], Herbert [20 Ontario], Alfred [17 Ontario].³ Jacob made his will circa 1897 at Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada. Jacob departed this life on Tuesday, 17 August 1897 in Trafalgar Township at age 71 years and 7 months.

Newspaper Report - Mangled At A Crossing - A shocking fatality took place within a half a mile of Oakville yessterday afternoon, by which a elderly farmer and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Colton were instantly killed.
Colton was a well to do farmer, about 70 years of age, living at Munn;s corners, four and a half miles from Oakville, on the Dundas road. He and his wife went to town yesterday afternoon and made a number of purchases and then started for home.
A short distance north of the railway tracks they met a man who runs a thresher, and made arrangements for him to come to their farm and thresh on Friday. In view of this they decided that some more groceries were needed, and turned back to get them.
The railway track at Ion's crossing run through a high embankment, and when one is driving south it is impossible to see a train approaching. In addition to this the old man is said to be a trifle hard of hearing. The buggy was right on the track before its occupants saw their danger, and in another second the engine had struck them, hurling the horse high in the air, and scattering the buggy into small pieces. Colton was dragged under the wheels and carried some distance , and his wife was thrown into the ditch. The train was running at between 50 and 60 miles an hour at the time.
Thomas Cavan, who lives near by, was the only witness of the accident, with the exception of the engineer. He ran to where Mrs. Colton was lying and raised her up. She was still living, but before those upon the train reached the spot she was dead.
The bodies were taken to Oakville station on the train, and conveyed to W. H. Young's undertaking establishment. Colton's head was completely severed, and his right arm and right hip broken. Mrs. Colton's skull was fractured, and the left arm broken at the elbow. No blame can be attached to the train hands, as the usual warning signals were given, and the train was not running at more than usual speed at this place.
The scene of the accident is described by residents as nothing better than a death trap. The embankment was thrown up when the track was graded, and owing to a number of other accidents the residents of Oakville recently petitioned the Grand Trunk railway to remove the embankment, in order to lessen the danger to the public, but nothing has yet been done. About two months ago William Smith was driving across at this place when his rig was struck and he was seriously injured. About two years ago an old couple named Van Norman were thrown out and both maimed for life. Seven years ago one Jacob Ribble lost his life at the same spot.
The Colton couple leave nine children, seven boys and two girls, all grown up and away from home.⁴