Alexander T. Katon was born around 1816 in Maine to Thomas and Lucy Katon. He married Grace Barker on December 17, 1839, and they had at least nine children: Lauraett, born on December 20, 1840; William, born on April 29, 1842; Mary, born on March 19, 1844; Remington, born on September 2, 1845; Hannah, born on April 17, 1849; Thomas, born on November 7, 1853; Lucy, born on November 4, 1856; Frederick, born on November 25, 1857; and Lemuel, born on August 21, 1859. They lived in Pittston, Maine, and Katon worked as a farmer. By 1850, he owned $1,200 of real estate. A decade later, he owned $1,200 of real estate and $416 of personal property.
He enlisted in the Union army on November 8, 1861, and he mustered in as a corporal in Company B of the 11th Maine Infantry later that day. The regiment took part in the Peninsula campaign, the Battle of Seven Pines, and the Seven Days’ Battles. He eventually earned a promotion to sergeant. He remained devoted to the Union, copying song lyrics that called for all loyal Americans to "brave the storm togather and yield to traitors never / For we're bound to defend our glorious union." He died on July 8, 1862.