BURTON FAMILY.  The Burton family in the United States, numbering at the
present time over 80,000, are of English and Welsh origin.  The first
authentic account we have of the family in this country is the settlement of
four brothers--John, Richard, Thomas and Allen--near the present site of
Richmond, Va., in the year 1655.  All purchased large tracts of land in what
is now Henrico County, except Thomas, and all married and reared large
families, many of whom became distinguished in military and civil life,
among whom might be mentioned Cols. Robert and Hutchins Burton, who served
on Gen. Washington's staff in the war of the Revolution, and the latter as
Governor of South Carolina after that war.  William Burton, brother of
Gideon Burton, a wholesale boot and shoe dealer of Cincinnati, was Governor
of Rhode Island, and the late Allen A., of Illinois, and John W., of
Tennessee, were jurists of recognized ability, the former being the only man
in his county in Kentucky who voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.  "Old Abe"
afterward made him Minister to Chili.  John Burton, of Virginia, was a noted
Baptist divine.  The family is represented in all the trades, professions
and different departments of business, the largest number, however, being
engaged in agricultural pursuits.  In the late war they furnished their
proportion of the army, rank and file, from Major-General to private.  Some
of the family fought for the "lost cause,"  but whether willingly or not the
writer of this was unable to learn.  Those residing in North Carolina,
Kentucky and Tennessee, however, were largely represented in the Union Army.
The Burtons residing in this portion of Indiana are descendants of Richard
Burton, a native of the Old Dominion, who soon after the war of the
Revolution removed with his family to Ashe County, N.C.  His son, John P.,
was born in Virginia, July 8, 1758, and was married in Ashe County, to Miss
Susannah Stamper, who was born August 22, 1867.  To them were born the
following children:  Richard, Patsey, Allen, John, Mary, David, William,
Hutchins, Hardin, Zachariah, Ann, and Eli and Isom, twins.  Of this large
family only the three youngest sons are now living.  John P. Burton came
with his family to this county in 1826, locating on the farm now owned by
Ransom Burton.  Mr. Burton died July 4, 1836, and Mrs. Burton August 10,
1845.   They were people of the highest respectability, and had the love and
respect of all who knew them.  Mr. Burton was a member of the Masonic order,
and a great admirer of that ancient institution.  Besides rearing thirteen
children of their own, John P. and wife reared six orphan children, doing
and caring for them as though they were their own.  All their children
married and reared large families.  William, one of the sons, was married,
in Ashe County, N.C., to Miss Obedience Reeves, and in 1826 came to this
county, locating on the farm now owned by their son, John W., which they
soon afterward made their home, and where nine of their family of fifteen
children were born.   William was one of the best-known and most prominent
of John P. Burton's sons.  He was an unswerving Democrat, and represented
Lawrence County in the State Legislature.  He assisted in many of the early
land surveys, and was a useful and progressive citizen.  He died September
20, 1846, and his wife July 28, 1853.  Several of their children now reside
in the county, among whom are Alfred, Allen C., Eli and John W.  Alfred was
born in Ashe County, N.C., September 22, 1816, and came with his parents to
this county in 1826, and in 1842 was married to Miss Hannah E.,daughter of
the late Hugh Hamer.  To them were born eleven children:  Hugh H., Mary E.,
Caroline O., William, Felix G., Catharine, Alice A., George C., Theodosia,
Josephine and Oscar J.  Alfred Burton has always followed farming, and is
one of the county's most worthy citizens.  Eli, brother of Alfred, was born
in Ashe County, N.C., October 2, 1822;  was united in marriage with Miss
Sarah Koons, August 15, 1850.  She died June 27, 1877.  The following
children were born to them:  Henry A. and Nancy J., living;  Franklin P.,
Delana, Florence, Eli G., Laura E., and two infants deceased.  In 1879 Mr.
Burton married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Taylor.  Mr. Burton owns a good farm
and is a practical and successful farmer and stock-raiser.  Allen C. was
born in the township in which he now resides, January 12, 1827, and received
the benefits of a common school education.  September 10, 1840, he was
untied in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Holmes, a native of Lawrence County,
and to them were born four sons:  William S., Joseph R., Zachariah T. and
Charles W.  Mrs. Burton died February 3, 1854.  Mr. Burton was united in
marriage with Miss Sarah A. Richards, November 16, 1854.  She was born in
Jackson County, Ind., in 1830.  Six children were the fruits of this union:
James B., Alonzo, Sallie O., Indiana, Lydia and Della.  Allen C. voted with
the Democratic party until the breaking out of the late war, since which he
has voted with and zealously labored for the success of the Republican
party.  He has twice appraised the real estate of Lawrence County, has been
one of its Commissioners, and has held other positions of honor and trust.
He has given his children liberal educations, and has taken an active and
leading part in the advancement of all enterprises that go to build up the
country or benefit his fellow-man.  He served as Second Lieutenant in
Company H, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the late war, but
after one year of active service was discharged on account of physical
disability.  He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is one
of the county's most progressive and useful citizens.

John W. Burton was born upon the old homestead in Marion Township, October
12, 1828, which has always been his home.  He received a common school
education, and December 14, 1854, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J.
Baker, a native of Orange County, Ind., her birth occurring April 27, 1830.
Eight children have been born to them:  Volney T., Obedience, Douglass,
Clara E., Mary L., Edgar, Jesse L. and Virgil.  Mr. Burton owns a
well-improved farm of 350 acres.  In politics he is a stanch Republican, and
during the war did much to encourage the boys in the field and keep up a
strong loyal sentiment at home.  He liberally contributes to all laudable
public enterprises and is one of the leading farmers and public-spirited
citizens of the county.  Richard Burton, eldest child of John P. and
Susannah (Stamper) Burton, was a native of Ashe County, N.C., and there was
married to Miss Nancy Edwards, and to them were born these children:  John,
Jane, Young, Robert, Noah, David E., James, Celia, Hiram, Susan, Mary,
Cynthia and Timanza.  Richard Burton and wife were well and favorably known
to the early settlers, and were people of the highest worth.  David E.,
fifth son born to these parents, is a native of Ashe County, N.C.;  his
birth occurring August 26, 1815.  His educational advantages were very
limited, and from early childhood he was accustomed to hard work.  He was
married July 29, 1844, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Margaret
(McBride) Conley, both natives of the old North State, as was their
daughter, whose birth occurred January 2, 1828.  Twelve children have been
born to David E. Burton and wife:  Timanza, Joseph, Margaret, Nancy A.,
Phoebe, Richard, Susan, Rebecca, Jincie, Naomi, Frances and Henry.  David E.
has been a life-long Democrat.  He is a self-made man, and one to the
wealthiest farmers in Lawrence County, owning at the present time nearly
2,000 acres of land.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
an upright and useful man.  Other members of Richard Burton's family reside
in the county, and are among its most worthy and honored citizens. Rev.
Hardin Burton, ninth of John P. Burton's children, was born in North
Carolina, in 1798.  He came to Indiana in 1827, and settled near Bloomfield,
Greene Co.  He was thrice married, his first wife being Miss Jennie Reeves,
who bore him the following children:  Jackson, John, Singleton, Chaney, Ann,
and Jane.  His second wife was Miss Lucy Maxwell, to whom he was married in
1835.  The following children were born to this union:  George W., Nancy,
James, Eli, Isom, Hardin and William J.  In 1852 he married Miss Kisiah
McBride, who still survives him.  In 1834 he came to Lawrence county, and
engaged in farming and stock-growing.  In 1843 he was licensed to preach and
two years later was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church, and from this
date on gave much of his time to his professional duties, and did much to
build up the churches of Lawrence and adjoining counties.  He was
industrious, honest, philanthropic, an upright Christian, true to all of
life's obligations.  He died October 6, 1875.  Several of his children are
residents of Lawrence County, among whom are:  Dr. John Burton, of Georgia,
Ind., and Dr. George W., of Mitchell.  The former  was born in Ashe County,
N.C., March 16, 1821, and is the second child by his first marriage.  He was
brought up on a farm, receiving a common school education.  He was united in
marriage with Miss Linna Riggs, October 26, 1839.  She is the daughter of
Moses and Mahala (Laswell) Riggs.   To this union have been born the
following children:  Mahala J., Jackson, Levisa A., Nancy S., Hardin R.,
Mary E. and Moses.  Dr. Burton followed farming until 1845, when he took up
the study of medicine, which he pursued until 1851, when he began practice,
which he has since continued with unusual and uniform success, and at
present has a large and steadily increasing practice.  He owns 300 acres of
good land.  In politics he is a Democrat.  He is a member of the Masonic
Order and the Baptist Church and one of the county's leading and useful men.  
George W. Burton, M.D., was born in the county in which he resides, July 22,
1836, and is the eldest child born to the union of Rev. Hardin Burton with
Miss Lucy Maxwell.  His youth and early manhood were spent upon the farm.
He graduated from high school in 1852, and in 1853 took a commercial course.
On finishing his education he was employed on the staff of civil engineers
in the construction of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway.  He then taught
school and studied medicine until 1857, when he took a course of lectures at
the Iowa State University, and after practicing a short time took a partial
course of lectures at the McDowell Medical College of St. Louis.  On the
breaking out of the war he entered the Fifth Missouri Regiment, where he
served until ill health compelled him to resign, when he came to Huron,
Ind., where he followed his profession until August of 1862, when he again
entered the service, this time as a member of the Seventeenth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, serving in the line and on the medical staff alternately
until the spring of 1863, when he was again compelled to resign on account
of ill health.  He immediately returned to his home and practice.  On the
last call for volunteers in the fall of 1864 he raised Company D, One
Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was
appointed Captain, and also acted as Assistant Surgeon, and afterward as
Acting Surgeon of the regiment until the close of the war.  In 1873 he came
to Mitchell, where he has since remained.  He has been prominent in all the
medical organizations of the State.  He joined the Lawrence County Medical
Society on its organization in 1862, and was one of the originators of the
Mitchell District Medical Society, which was organized in 1874, the first
society of this kind in southern Indiana, in 1874.   In 1875 he took the
degree of Doctor of Medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at
Indianapolis, Ind.  In 1875 he with others organized the Tri-State Medical
Society of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, and was made its Secretary, and
has continued as such ever since.  In 1875 he was made a member of the
Indiana State Health Commission, and in 1877 took a degree at the Hospital
Medical College of Louisville.  He is an honorary member of the Southwestern
Kentucky Medical Association, and also of those of Jackson and Orange
Counties.  He was also one of the originators of the South Central and
Normal School of Mitchell.  In 1866 he became a Mason;  in 1869 he became a
member of the Grand Lodge;  in 1872, of the Royal Arch, and in 1877 of the
Council.  He has been a member of the Town Council, and belongs to the
Baptist Church.  Although of a Democratic family, he is a stanch Republican.
May 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie C. Campbell, a most
estimable lady, daughter of Dougal Campbell, of Illinois, a descendant of
the old Dougal Campbell family of Scotland.  They have had five children:
Ava, Lizzie, and Ella living;  Grace and George W. deceased.

Zachariah Burton, son of John P. and Susannah (Stamper) Burton, was born in
Ashe County, N.C., September 12, 1801, and was reared upon a farm, receiving
but a limited education.  His first business venture was as a huckster.  He
would buy a team and wagon on time, then load with brandy, apple butter,
tallow, etc., and take them to points in Georgia, where he would dispose of
all, when he would return to his home on foot, a distance of several hundred
miles, when as soon as possible the trip would be repeated.  In this way he
got his start in life, and by being honest, trustworthy, and never abusing
his credit he built up for himself an enviable reputation, and accumulated
considerable property.  During his long and eventful lifetime he has ever
sustained the reputation he established at the beginning of life.  He was
united in marriage with Mrs. Ruth (Core) Holmes, a native of Louisville,
Ky., and to this union were born the following children:  Ransom, Caswell
R., Mary S., Hugh F., John C., Virginia C., Zachariah, Margaret R. and
Juliet.  Mrs. Burton had two children by a former marriage:  William and
Elizabeth Holmes.  Mrs. Burton departed this life August 8, 1844.  May 27,
1845, Mr. Burton married Mrs. Matilda Wright, who was born near Shelbyville,
Ky., in 1817, and whose maiden name was Tegarden.  By this union there were
seven children:  Ann, Sarah J., William H., George W., Shubel, Caroline and
one that died in infancy.  "Uncle Zach," as he is commonly called, is one of
the oldest and best known of the early settlers of Marion township.  He has
been a resident of the township since 1826, and has the respect and
confidence of all who know him.  He is a member of the Baptist Church, and
has been a life-long Democrat.  The county would be much better off had it
more such men as Uncle Zach Burton.

Ransom Burton, eldest child of Zachariah Burton by his first wife, was born
in Marion Township, this county, April 13, 1829, and was reared upon his
father's farm.  October 9, 1851, he married Miss Elizabeth Murray, who was
born in this county, January 18, 1834, and died July 9, 1953.  There was one
child by this marriage:  Timothy.  Mr. Burton's second wife was  Miss Mary
Finger, to whom he was married September 29, 1853.  She was born in this
county July 29, 1826, and died in 1863.  There were seven children by this
union:  Francis, Julia A., Fannie, and four that died in infancy.  February
4, 1864, Mr. Burton married Mrs. Fannie (Bryant) Overman, a native of this
county, her birth occurring July 31, 1834.  By this marriage there are three
children:  Caswell R., Grace T. and Ransom E.  Mr. Burton owns 182 acres of
land, which are well improved.  He has the largest apple orchard in the
county, and for several years has paid considerable attention to fruit
culture.  He is a member of the Baptist Church, and liberal in his political
views.  He is a prominent and influential citizen.  Caswell R., second son
of Zachariah Burton, was one of the most prominent and promising young men
in Southern Indiana.  On the breaking out of the war he became Lieutenant of
Company G, Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and bravely went to the
front to preserve his country's honor.  September 16, 1862, at Munfordville,
while gallantly fighting, he received a severe gun-shot wound, from the
effects of which he died fourteen days later.  He was a graduate of the
State University at Bloomington, and of the Medical Department of the State
University of Michigan, and his untimely death was deeply regretted by all.
The Grand Army Post of Mitchell was named in his honor.  Hugh F., son of
Zachariah Burton, was born in Marion Township, this county, July 20, 1834.
After attending the district schools of the neighborhood he attended the
State University at Bloomington, some three years.  In 1862 he enlisted in
Company K, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the
close of the war, participating in many engagements.  Since then he has been
engaged in farming and school teaching.  He has taught many terms of school
and is a successful and popular educator.  His wife was Miss Mahala A. Hall,
who was born in Marion Township, April 25, 1848.  Their marriage occurred
August 4, 1870.  Five children have been born to them:  Rosa M., Ruth, and
three that died in infancy.  Mr. Burton owns 216 acres of land, and is one
of the most practical and successful farmers in Marion Township.  He is a
Democrat of the conservative kind, voting for men and measures and not for
party.  He is one of the county's well informed and useful citizens.  Of the
numerous members of the Burton family in Lawrence County, perhaps there is
not one who is better known or more universally respected by friends and
relatives than Eli Burton, Esq., of Spice Valley Township.  He is twin
brother of Isom Burton, and they the youngest of the family of thirteen
children born to John P. and Susannah (Stamper) Burton.  Eli Burton's birth
occurred in Ashe County, N.C., October 15, 1807.  He came with his parents
to this county in 1826, which he has since made his home, farming and
stock-raising having been his occupation.  From early boyhood he was
accustomed to hard work, and although being one of the smallest members of
this numerous family, he was not lacking in native pluck and energy.  He
began life as a poor boy, and by hard work, economy and good management has
obtained a goodly share of this worlds's goods, owning at the present time
about 1,700 acres of good land.  In his early life his educational
advantages were very limited, but in after years he acquired by study and
observation a good knowledge of some of the lower branches, and is to-day
one of the most practical and well posted men in the county.  He has
appraised the real estate of the county three times, administered on many
estates, held the office of Justice of the Peace some sixteen years, and
Notary Public about the same.  His entire public career has been noted for
its efficiency, dispatch and honesty, reflecting much credit on him, and
resulting in lasting benefits to those for whom he labored.  He has been
twice married.  His first wife was Miss Mahala, daughter of John and
Catharine (Miller) Conley, the marriage occurring February 19, 1832.  To
this union were born the following children:  Simpson, Wiley G., Catharine,
Rebecca A., Isom, John W., William H., George T. and Milton P.  Mrs. Burton
was a lady of great social and moral worth, devoting her entire life to her
family and to the development of the social and moral condition of the
neighborhood.  This most estimable lady died July 5, 1858.  She was born
near Bryantsville, this county, March 17, 1812, and was one of the first
white children born in the county.  On February 26, 1857, Mr. Burton was
united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Conley, daughter of Joseph and Margaret
(McBride) Conley, and to this union have been born three children:  Douglas,
Joseph W., and Laura E.  Mrs. Burton was born October 18, 1835.  Mr. Burton
has done much surveying in the county.   He has for years voted in
opposition to the National Democratic party.  He is well known and has the
respect of all.

Simpson Burton, son of Eli, was born September 22, 1833, and was brought up
on the farm.  He attended and taught school until 1853, when he entered
Franklin College, from which institution he graduated in 1859.  It was
largely through his efforts that the Mitchell Seminary was established and
became a popular and worthy educational institution.  In 1863, he married
Miss Carrie Graves, a teacher in the school and a most estimable lady.  Mr.
Burton died at Bloomington, Ind., December 6, 1872, while engaged in
ministerial labors.  His wife survives him and resides with her three
children, Earnest, Ella and Grace, at Boise City, Idaho.  Wiley G., second
son of Eli Burton, was reared upon the farm, and after spending one year at
Hartsville College entered Franklin College, graduating in 1862.  Soon after
this he entered his country's service and was instrumental in raising
Company H, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected
Second Lieutenant.  He died May 16, 1863, of disease contracted while in the
service, his death greatly regretted by his comrades and friends.  Isom,
third son and fifth child of Eli Burton, was born February 26, 1841, and
passed his youth and early manhood upon the farm.  He attended the common
schools, Franklin College and the Mitchell Seminary, graduating from the
last named institution.  In 1862, he entered his country's service, becoming
a member of Company H, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and
participated in the following engagements:  Munfordville, Ky., where he was
captured but soon after paroled;   Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River,
siege of Vicksburg, Grand Coteau, Mansfield, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan and a
number of lesser engagements.  He saw much active service and is highly
spoken of by his comrades-in-arms.  He received his discharge July 19, 1865.
Soon after his return home he took up the study of medicine and after some
time entered the Medical Department of the State University of Ann Arbor,
Mich., graduating in 1868.  He began practice at Ellettsville, but after a
short time came to Mitchell and embarked in the drug trade, in which he has
since continued.  He possesses business and social qualities of a high order
and has built up a large and steadily increasing business.  He was united in
marriage with Miss Kate Owen, November 17, 1868, and to this union have been
born three children:  May, Lizzie M., and Pearl.  Mr. Burton has been
Trustee of the Mitchell schools seven years and Clerk and Trustee of the
Baptist Church about fourteen years.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F., a
Republican and supports all enterprises that go to build up the country or
benefit his fellow man.  William H., son of Eli Burton, was born in Spice
Valley Township, and reared to manhood upon his father's farm.  Besides the
education he received in the common schools he attended the Agricultural
College of Michigan one year and the State University at Bloomington two
years.  He has since then been engaged in farming and school teaching.  He
married Miss Lillie J. Spencer, April 12, 1883.  They have one child, Bertha
O.  Mrs. Burton was born in Spice Valley Township, March 29, 1866.  Mr.
Burton owns 380 acres of land and is one of the practical and successful
farmers and stock-growers of Marion Township.  Politically he is a stanch
Republican.  John W., another son of Eli Burton, resides in Gallatin, Mo.,
where he is practicing dental surgery.  Other members of the family reside
at home or near the old homestead and are good citizens and useful members
of society. Isom Burton, son of John P. and twin brother of Eli, of Spice
Valley Township, is a native of Ashe County, N.C., his birth occurring
October 15, 1807.  He came with his parents to this county in 1826, and has
ever since been a resident of the county and is well and favorably known to
its people.   Soon after coming to the county he and his brother Eli made
several trips to New Orleans on flat-boats laden with produce, grain, lime
and other articles.  They usually started from the "Old Nugent Place," on
White River, the trip occupying several weeks and being attended with
dangers, exposure and much hard work.  The two brothers also farmed in
partnership several years and were quite successful.   The subject of this
sketch owns 450 acres of well improved land in the northern part of Marion
Township, where he has resided about half a century.  He was united in
marriage in September of 1833 with Miss Mary J. Alexander.  She was born in
Wilkes County, N.C., May 27, 1814, and to their union were born eleven
children:  Frances M., Nancy C., Amanda L., Clarissa M., America A., Martin
A., Rachel E., Marshal T., Mary R., Sarah J. and Charles A.  Mrs. Burton
died August 6, 1866.  Mr. Burton has devoted his entire life to farming and
stock-raising, except about six years which he spent in Bedford engaged in
mercantile pursuits and in giving his family superior educational
advantages.  He is liberal and conservative in his political views and has
voted with and against the Democratic party.  He and family take many of the
best papers and periodicals and are among the most intelligent and
progressive people in the county.

Martin A., son of Isom Burton, Sr., was born in Lawrence County, Ind., May
7, 1844.  He was reared upon the farm, an in addition to attending the
common schools and the graded schools of Bedford, attended the State
University at Bloomington two years, and the Bryant & Stratton Commercial
College of Cincinnati, graduating from the last named institution.  He then
clerked and farmed for some time.  In 1870 he came to Mitchell, and after
clerking some time, he embarked in mercantile pursuits for himself.  He was
elected Sheriff of Lawrence County and made a popular and efficient officer.
He has also held other positions of honor and trust, and is a useful,
public-spirited and worthy citizen.  He was married December 28, 1868, to
Miss Laura H. Brownfield, who was born in Kentucky, April 8, 1848.  Five
children have been born to them:  Jesse B., Fleta G. and Clyde, living;
Stella and Mabel, deceased.  Mr. Burton is a Democrat, is a member of the I.
O. O. F. and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William A. Burton, of Mitchell, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., November
18, 1832, and reared to manhood upon the farm.  He is the eldest of five
children born to William J. and Eliza J. (Core) Burton.  The father was a
son of David, and he the sixth child of John P. and Susannah (Stamper)
Burton.  In 1853 William A. entered the State University, and remained there
some two years.  He then taught school at St. Charles, Mo., some time.  In
1858 he took up the study of medicine.  He attended lectures in Cincinnati
and graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1861.  He served as a private ten
months in Company H, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, when he was
appointed Assistant Surgeon of his regiment, and served in this capacity
until the close of the war.  He followed his profession at Mitchell until
1869, since which he has been engaged in the drug trade.  He married Miss
Ann R. Rariden January 30, 1862, and to them have been born five children:
Frank J., Ida Y., Jesse M., Edgar C. and Walter W.  Mr. Burton is a
Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., G. A. R., and the Baptist church.

Joseph A. Burton, son of William J. and Eliza J. (Core) Burton, was born in
Marion Township, this county, March 6, 1841.  Besides attending the common
schools of the neighborhood, he attended the State University at Bloomington
and Franklin College some time.  In 1862 he enlisted in Company H,
Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was color-bearer up to the
capture of Vicksburg.  He was at Munfordville, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas
Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Mansfield, Fort Blakely, and may other
engagements.  He was a brave and true soldier and saw much active service.
After his return home he attended school some time, since which he has been
engaged in farming and stock-raising.  He owns 260 acres of land, which are
well improved, and upon which is a fine "sugar bush" of over 300 trees, and
by the use of a new and improved method has built up quite a reputation as a
syrup and sugar manufacturer.  His marriage with Miss Laura M. Turley
occurred January 13, 1870.  She was born in Orange County, Ind., May 27,
1844, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Parmelia (Wright) Turley.  They
have three children:  Turley J., Inez and an infant.  Mr. Burton has taught
several terms of school, and takes an interest in all moral and educational
enterprises.  He is a member of the Baptist Church.  He is liberal in his
political views, voting for the man and not for party.  He is one of the
best representatives of the younger Burtons and is one of the county's best
citizens.

Richard Burton, a farmer of Orleans Township, Orange County, was born in
Lawrence County, Ind., August 17, 1844, and is the son of James and Frances
E. (Hughes) Burton.  He was brought up on the farm, receiving a common
school education.  In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-third Indiana
Volunteer Infantry.  He was in the battles of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg,
and Atlanta.  Here he was captured, and for two months was a prisoner at
Andersonville.  He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and
participated in other engagements and saw much active service.  He has since
followed farming and stock-raising.  He has been married twice.  His first
wife, to whom he was married in 1868, was Miss Amanda Webb, who was born in
Orange County, Ind., in 1837.  By this marriage there were two sons, George
I. and Newton A.  Mr. Burton's second wife was Florence M., daughter of
Samuel and Annie (Wyman) Mathers.  Mr. Burton is a Republican, and a member
of the United Brethren Church.  He owns a good farm, and is one of the
intelligent and progressive men of Orange County.  There are other members
of this large and most remarkable family, of whom space forbids more than
mention.  The family is represented in all the professions from the pulpit
to the school room;  in civil offices from Road Supervisor to Governor;  in
the military from private to Major-General.  In religion they are
principally Baptists, and are honorably represented in all the benevolent
institutions.  A majority of them are members of the Masonic order.  The
most of the voters are Democrats.  They are remarkable as a sociable,
peaceable and respectable family, and the ladies are especially noted for
their beauty and social and moral attainments.  Its numbers hasten to marry
and bring up large families, and all seem to do well.  We find no less than
eighteen different towns bearing the name, scattered in twelve different
States.  They have a regularly organized society, known as the "Burton
Family Reunion Association," of which Dr. G. W. Burton was the projector.
As a people they are of marked characteristics, noted for their outspoken
honesty, morality, frugality and generous hospitality, and no more honorable
name is known throughout the State or Nation.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"