Jane McKechnie Walton

Jane McKechnie Walton (July 16, 1846 – July 24, 1891) was a Scottish-born Mormon pioneer who helped to settle several Utah towns.

Early life Jane McKechnie was born in Edinburgh, the daughter of Jane (Jean Tinto) Bee and John McKechnie. Her father was a bell moulder by trade and died of typhoid on January 3, 1848 when Jane was 18 months old. Her grieving mother gave birth to the McKechnie's only son a few months later. Jane's mother was taught about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) by two Mormon missionaries. She was baptized into the LDS Church on February 21, 1850. Several months later, Jane's grandmother, uncle and aunt also joined the newfound religion. The family moved to the United States by the end of 1850.

Her mother worked in and around St. Louis, and remarried to Ira Stearns Hatch, before joining Thomas Howell Wagon Company in 1852. The company traveled 1,100 miles across the American plains, with six-year-old Jane McKechnie walking most of the way barefooted. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley with other Mormon pioneers in September 1852. While living in Salt Lake City and Bountiful, Utah, young Jane witnessed the Utah War. and traveled around San Juan County in her work.

Personal life Jane McKechnie married Charles Eugene Walton, Sr. on February 22, 1867. They had three children, Charles Jr. (1868–1947), Magnolia (1869–1918), and Leona (1871–1942). She died on July 24, 1891, aged 45 years, when she was shot and killed during a statehood celebration. Jane McKechnie Walton was the first person buried in the Monticello, Utah cemetery. In 2010, a descendant of Walton's wrote a book about her.