Burton, William F.

WILLIAM F. BURTON.—The ancestry of William F. Burton shows that John Burton, the great-great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland and enlisted in the army of William of Orange in Scotland in 1688. John Burton was present at the surrender of Londonderry by Tyrconnell. Burton led the march to the gates of this walled city, and when the gates were smashed his band entered and pursued Tyrconnell through the city, who barely escaped with his life. As it was Tyrconnell lost a part of his ear by the sword of John Burton, and this sword was long in the possession of his descendants, the grandfather of William F. Burton having seen the haft, or handle. For his bravery John Burton was awarded the lease of a manor house and grounds for ninety-nine years, which was afterward extended to his son Henry and then to his grandson Henry.

Still further back is Grudolph D. Burton, who was a general in the army of William the Conqueror and enlisted in Gaul, serving in battles in France and England. English records give accounts of three of his sons engaged in English warfare and eight grandsons who were military men, and five of his descendants served in the Revolutionary war. Grudolph D. Burton was awarded a royal grant which is still in possession of his descendants, having been inherited by the eldest son for forty-three generations. A copy of this royal grant is in the probate court in England. Grudolph D. Burton is represented by a long line of descendants in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Barbadoes. Canada, and in many states in America. Robert Burton, the English philosopher, and Richard Burton, the historian, are descendants, and mention is also made of two Catholic priests. Descendants by the name of William Burton are legion, as the name William has been honored by all branches of the family. Robert, James and Henry are also numerously represented.

William F. Burton, a native of Delaware township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, was born there October 7, 1844, and is now a resident of Sugar Grove township. He is the son of Henry Burton, who was born in Tyrone. Ireland. May 6, 1802. He was educated in his native country and followed farming until he came to America in 1822, when, with his father's family, he settled on the homestead where they were first renters for three years. His parents and brothers purchased two hundred acres of choice land, the same being a soldier's claim in Delaware township, it having been given in payment of services to a soldier of the war of 1776. This place they found timbered land, but by hard labor cleared it up and transformed it into an excellent cultivated tract of farm land. On this land Henry Burton resided for forty years, then sold his one-third part and purchased the land upon which he died in 1895, the same being a one hundred acre tract. Henry Burton married Amelia T. Smith, daughter of F. and Agnes (Giffern) Smith. By this union the following children were born: Nancy J., wife of R. G. Weir, of Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania; Martha E., wife of W. H. Hardy, a farmer of Crawford county; Mary, wife of J. O. Sisley, a mechanic of Greenville; Hannah, wife of F. D. Berry, an oil producer of Crawford county; and William F. of this sketch.

William F. Burton attended district school until he was sixteen years of age, was then graduated from the high school at Greenville, and then was a student at Troy, New York, and also of the Pennsylvania State College. Pie learned surveying and civil engineering and after completing this special course managed his father's farm until 1874, then went west and followed his profession as a government surveyor in Texas for two years. He came back to Youngstown, Ohio, and took up the carpenter's trade, continuing in this for two years, when the father's health failed and the son went home to take charge of the place, where he still remains as a farmer and surveyor. This place is called "Pleasant View Farm" and upon it Mr. Burton has erected a new modern style residence. In his political views he is a Democrat, having served fifteen years as clerk of the board of supervisors and a three years' term as assessor, and is now serving a three years' term as supervisor and clerk of the board.

In 1876, Mr. Burton was married at Anamosa, Iowa, to Clara Ellis, who was born October 13, 1851, and died in Texas, May 28, 1878. She was a daughter of J. C. Ellis, a farmer of Jackson county, Iowa. To this union was born but one son, John McKean Burton, born May 26, 1878, now with the Bessemer shops, a blacksmith by trade. He married Jessie M. Smith and had two children, Ruth and Clara, the latter of whom died in September, 1908.