Burton, Philander D. 1840-1929

BURTON, GRANT, GRINNELL, MERRIMAN, WRIGHT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/27/2011 at 18:03:42

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa)

P.D. BURTON IS CALLED TO REST TUESDAY MORN.

Respected Gentleman Dies At Age of 88

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A Civil War veteran and one of the oldest settlers of Poweshiek County, who for many years was actively and prominently identified with not only the agricultural, but with also the commercial development of this county was Philander D. Burton, whose death occurred at the Community hospital, early Tuesday morning, shortly before six o'clock. Mr. Burton retained his consciousness to the last. He had been in failing health for the past several months and only a few days ago was taken to the hospital.

Mr. Burton was born at Piketon, Ohio, September 27, 1840. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Grant) Burton. William Burton was a Presbyterian minister and a man of fine mind and more than average power in the pulpit. In 1854, in company with J.B. Grinnell and others he came west, purchasing six hundred and forty acres of land, which he expected to cultivate. He returned to Austinburg, Ohio, where he was living at the time, to dispose of his interests, intending to move his family to Iowa. Difficulties in settling up his affairs delayed him and before the family could move to Iowa, Rev. Burton passed away. Some time after Rev. Burton's death the family came to Grinnell, settling on a farm near this city and later moving to town, where Mrs. Burton passed away on April 1, 1885.

P.D. Burton was one of a family of seven children. He was but a lad of eight years when his paretns removed from his native town to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he acquired his common school education.

Having attained the age of twenty years when the call for troops came in 1861, he enlisted in the 14th Ohio Battery and went to the front on August 20, that year. He saw considerable active service and participated in many sharp skirmishes and several notable battles, among the latter being those of Shiloh, Fort Donelson and Corinth. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, he was captured by the rebels, but was paroled and sent to Memphis, Tenn., in November, 1862, and from there to Columbus, Ohio. On Sept. 24, 1863, he was mustered out, having served a little more than two years.

In the spring of 1864, Mr. Burton and his brother, Edward, came to Iowa. However, it was not until 1865 that they located permanently in Poweshiek county, where he and his two brothers, William and Theodore (now Senator Burton from Ohio) engaged in farming in Malcom township until 1869.

In 1876, he moved to Montezuma having been elected clerk of the county court in which capacity he served for two terms. He then engaged in the book and drug business for a few years but was forced to give this up owing to ill health. Mr. Burton moved at that time to South Dakota, but returned to Iowa in 1889. At one time, he engaged in the real estate business in Grinnell for five years, and he was also vice-president of the Grinnell Savings Bank for twelve years.

In Madison, Ohio, on February 5 1868, Philander D. Burton was married to Miss Ruby Merriman, daughter of Dr. Andrus Merriman. To this union were born four children: Frank M. of Des Moines, Arthur M. of Grinnell, Kate, the wife of Rev. Wiley (deceased) of Jennings Lodge, Oregon, and Grace M., who lives in California. Mrs. Burton who was a woman of beautiful character and a woman of rare mental qualities, passed away on May 27, 1893.

On the 12th of September, 1903, at Des Moines, Mr. Burton married Miss Theresa W. Wright, of Grinnell, daughter of William Wright.

Mr. Burton was an active member of the Gordon Granger Post, No. 64, G.A.R., of which he was one of the organizers and was adjutant for sixteen years.

This fine old gentlfeman lived to see all of his four children make outstanding successes in life. Arthur is Grinnell's postmaster, Frank is comfortabley situated in Des Moines, Miss Grace, who for a time was the assistant librarian at Grinnell college, has a similiar position in California, and Mrs. Wiley is also comfortably located in Oregon.

In 1886, Mr. Burton joined the Congregational church and all through his entire life has professed devout faith in God.

Funeral services were conducted this afternoon at the Congregational church here by Rev. Vittum. In one of his most eloquent addresses, Rev. Vittum paid a splendid tribute to P.D. Burton throughout the entire course of his sermon. Burial was in Hazelwood.

Besides his faithful wife and four children, he leaves his brother, Senator Burton of Ohio, to mourn his demise. Senator Burton was unable to be here at the funeral as he is in poor health himself, and is recuperating at Hot Springs, Virginia.

Throughout his entire life, Mr. Burton was always straight forward in his dealings with people and was a person to be respected by fellow men. Everyone, who ever knew the fine old gentleman, will regret to hear of his death.