Captain America Walton

Usually when I research a story I find another. While researching Captain Kittredge who was killed in action during the Great War, I learned he had a grandfather who served in Civil War. His name was America Walton.

America Walton was born in Franklin Plantation, Maine in August of 1835. His family moved to Peru, Maine when he was nine and then on to Lowell by himself in 1856. He worked at the Lowell Bleachery and joined the Company B of the City Guards. He must of resigned from the 6th Massachusetts because he is not listed on the roster in 1861 and in May of 1861 he went to Patten Maine where he joined the 8th Maine Company B Infantry. In 1863 while on furlough he married Sophronia Dow.

Courtesy photo - Maine Archives

He was involved in several battles and was shot twice. He was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865. He was promoted often and ended up a Captain in 1865.

After the war he was an active member of G.A.R Post #120 (James A. Garfield). At a meeting celebrating the 50th anniversary of Lee's surrender at Appomattox he was the only living person in Lowell who had witnessed the surrender.

Unfortunately, he lived long enough to see his grandson, Captain Paul E. Kittredge killed in action in World War One.

He died in Lowell March 15, 1919 and is buried in Edson Cemetery. Our own Captain America.

Update: Thanks to Walter Hickey, Historian Extraordinaire we have confirmation that America Walton was a member of the Massachusetts 6th Company D from 1857-1859.

Captain Paul E. Kittredge

Paul Edward Kittredge was born December 31, 1890 in Newton, MA to Edward and Mary E. (Walton) Kittredge. The family moved to Lowell soon after having family here. Paul joined the National Guard, the 101st Infantry 26th Yankee Division. He married Sarah R. Hemmersley of Lowell, on September 30, 1914 at the Immaculate Conception Church. They had a daughter Marion Louise born May 27, 1915 and they lived at 95 Andover Street.

Paul was called up for the Mexican trouble and was in charge of recruiting more soldiers in Lowell in 1916. His occupation is listed as Special Policeman. Two days after being promoted to Captain he was killed by a mortar shell on October 23, 1918. He received the Croix de Guerre for conspicuous bravery by the French government. He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery in France.

Courtesy: Find a Grave

Washington Square at the intersection of Nesmith and Andover streets was renamed Kittredge Park in his honor. His mother sailed to France May 17, 1932 as part of the Gold Star Mother's Pilgrimage tour that was sponsored by the US Government. His wife remarried after the war to Howard Cameron and she died in Norwood in 1965.

He never came home. We thank him and his family for his sacrifice. Think of him when you drive by Kittredge Park.

In researching Captain Kittredge I found the story of his grandfather Captain America Walton. Isn't that a great name? Blog post about him tomorrow on Veteran's Day.