Indiana Genealogy Trails, Newton County Indiana Biographies

WILLIAM HENRY BURTON

A half century ago, some of the richest lands in Northern Newton County, Indiana, could be bought for a trifling sum, and those who invested largely in these swamp lands at that time, became what was called "land poor." Modern systems of drainage have changed their character and fortunate indeed are those who, as a heritage, have come into possession of such land, incomparable for farming and stockraising. William Henry Burton, one of Lake Township's substantial men, owns a good farm of this fine land and has resided here ever since returning from an honorable term of service as a soldier in the Civil war. Mr. Burton is serving in his second term as recorder of Newton County. William Henry Burton was born in Estell County, Kentucky, March 7, 1841, and is a son of William and Eliza (Walters) Burton, who reared eight of their children to maturity, four of whom yet survive. William Burton came from Kentucky to Kankakee County, Illinois, in 1855, accompanied by his family, and later they moved to Paris, Illinois, where both he and his wife died. He was a farmer all his life, beginning poor but, through industry, becoming wealthy. He invested largely in land in the northern part of Newton County, Indiana, from which, during his lifetime he received no revenue. William Henry Burton easily recalls the journey from the old home in Kentucky to Illinois, and as he was then fourteen years old, was able to give his father much assistance. He had some educational advantages, first attending school held in a primitive log structure, and later a more advanced school at Kankakee, where he was a pupil for several terms. He was preparing for an agricultural life at the time that Civil war began to threaten, and when it became a certainty he soon made up his mind to participate in the struggle. On September 29, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and after three months spent in the instruction camp at Cairo, Illinois, his regiment joined General Grant's army before Fort Henry. After its reduction the Fourth took an active part in the capture of Fort Donelson, and, continuing with Grant's army to Pittsburg Landing, was engaged in the two days of battle at Shiloh. Mr. Burton during these stirring events was ever at the post of duty and his valor was noticed and during the second day's struggle at Shiloh, he was an orderly on the staff of General Thomas, and was with this command until after the reduction of Corinth. During the nine months that followed, Mr. Burton was detailed for guard duty, assisting in protecting the railroads from the attacks of the Confederates on the line between Corinth and Memphis, and during the last three months of this time served as orderly on the staff of General Denver. After this Mr. Burton's regiment was encamped on Black River, at the rear of Vicksburg, and in one of the innumerable skirmishes in which he was a participant, Mr. Burton received a severe gunshot wound, through the back of his neck, which knocked him from his horse and otherwise disabled him. Although his was a hospital case he objected to such service and secured permission to remain at headquarters while convalescing, and just as soon as he was able he reported for duty. During the next nine months he was engaged in the dangerous occupation of scout, with headquarters at Natchez, and it was while there that his term of enlistment expired. He returned to Springfield, Illinois, where he was honorably discharged October 3, 1864, with the rank of sergeant. Immediately afterward Mr. Burton came to Newton County and for the first three years herded cattle on the wide range of swamp land his father had bought years previously, after which, as conditions improved, primarily through his own efforts, he embarked in farming and stockraising and has continued here ever since and has been actively identified with the material development of Lake Township. On March 13, 1871, Mr. Burton was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Watson, who died after becoming the mother of six children, two of whom, Niel W. and Emery M. are yet living. Mr. Burton was married a second time, on February 24, 1889, to Miss Sophia Stankie, and they have four children: Beulah L., Ora G., Calvin R. and Cecil L. In politics Mr. Burton has always been affiliated with the republican party and his personal standing has been so high that on numerous occasions he has been elected to important public offices. For some years he served as township supervisor and also as township trustee, and at all times his sound judgment and advice founded on experience, have been useful to his community. In 1910 Mr. Burton was elected recorder of Newton County, and in 1914 was re-elected, at which time he was the only republican official of Newton County, Indiana. Mr. Burton is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Kentland, Indiana. ["Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country" By Lewis H. Hamilton, William Darroch; Published by Lewis Pub. Co., 1916 - Submitted by K. Torp].

The Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO, Tuesday, May 30, 1922

UPTON EBY IS DEAD.

The Former Wholesale Grocer Died Unexpectedly Yesterday.

Upton Eby, formerly a wholesale grocer, pioneer resident of Kansas City, died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon at his home, 1507 Penn street. Although Mr. Eby had been ill for several weeks with stomach trouble and heart disease, his condition was not believed to be serious. Shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, while on a sofa at his home, he fell dead to the floor. Mr. Eby was born in Mansfield, Mo., in 1844, and the same year his parents moved to Brookfield, Mo. In 1858, when 14 years of age, he came to Kansas City. After receiving his education at Fayette, Mo., he became a traveling salesman for the Gregory Wholesale Grocery company of this city. Later Mr. Eby organized the Riley-Eby Wholesale Grocery company, and remained with that firm until he retired ten years ago. Since that time he had been engaged in the stock and mercantile business in Indian territory. In 1865 he was married to Miss Lizzie Watson of Kankakee, Ill., who survives. He also left three children, who live in Kansas City. They are Mrs. C. J. Morrow, Mrs. C. A. Murdock and Frank W. Eby. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Talbot. Burial will be in Elmwood cemetery.

The Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO, Tuesday, May 30, 1922

MRS. UPTON EBY DEAD.

End to Pioneer Resident at Home of Daughter Today.

Mrs. Upton Eby, 78 years old, who had been a resident of Kansas City almost sixty years, died at 5 o'clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Calvin J. Morrow, 3112 Park avenue. Born in Penfield, N. Y., in 1844, Mrs. Eby came to Kansas City in 1864 to visit an aunt, Mrs. Susan Daggett, and a cousin, George Daggett, adjutant general of Federal troops then stationed in Missouri. She was one of the Kansas City women who went to the site of the Battle of Westport after the fighting to nurse the wounded soldiers. A year later she married Upton Eby, wholesale groceryman, who was an organizer of the former Ryley, Eby Wholesale Grocery Company and the Eby, Dowden Wholesale Grocery Company. Besides Mrs. Morrow, Mrs. Eby is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Murdock, 3600 Washington street; a son, Frank Watson Eby, Southlands hotel, 3517 Main street; a sister Mrs. Harvey Wescott, Los Angeles; five grandchildren, Mrs. Stanton Cole Sherman, 5911 Wyandotte street; Charles A. Murdock, jr., 4924 Trootswood road; Joseph M. Murdock, 3600 Washington street; Frederick Judson Murdock, 6107 Main street, and Calvin F. Eby, Southlands hotel, and three great-grandchildren.