JAMES L. MELTON was born in what was formerly Henderson, now Webster County, Ky., March 19, 1823, and is a son of Samuel N. and Sarah (Mooney) Melton. He is the fourth in a family of nine children, and is of German English descent. His parents were both natives of North Carolina, but in early life immigrated to Kentucky. The father of subject proved to be a valuable acquisition to the pioneers of western Kentucky; he manufactured salt at what is still known as Knob Lick and Highland Lick, and was one of the first salt manufacturers in this part of the State. The pioneers came for miles to exchange venison hams for salt, and he carried on quite an extensive traffic in this line. The regular price for salt was $1 per bushel. He died at Highland Lick about 1836, and the mother of our subject died near the same place some time afterward. James L. has been a farmer from boyhood. In 1849 he settled where he now resides, and now owns 600 acres of good land, the greater part of which is in a high state of cultivation. He was married, June 26, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, a native of Muhlenburgh County, Ky., daughter of Rawley Humphrey. This marriage has been blessed with ten children: Samuel W. (deceased), Sarah J., John W., Mary D. (deceased), Andrew J., Rawley E., James M., Elizabeth A., Vitula and Thomas J. Mrs. Melton died August 24, 1882. Mr. Melton is a Democrat, and is one of the few now living that have spent more than fifty years in what is now Webster County.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 1038-1039.