EDWARD L. BURTON 1831-1887

BURTON, HOOPER, CLARK, HENDERSHOT, STILES, FEE, CROCKER

Posted By: Mary E. Lanigan::VOLUNTEER (email)
Date: 8/16/2002 at 10:53:05

Wapello County Biographies 1887

EDWARD L. BURTON. There is scarcely a person in the county to whom the name which stands at the head of this sketch is not fmiliar; for nearly thirty years, he has been a prominent professionally in all it's courts, and there has scarcely been a case of importance, except when he was up on the bench, during this time, in which he has not taken an active and leading part.

He is a native of Waterloo, Seneca NY, where he was born February 1831; his father being JOHN BURTON ESQUIRE, who was one of the pioneer settlers in Seneca County, moving there as early as 1812; was a soldier in the last war with England; a careful and accurate surveyor; having surveyed it is said nearly every farm in the country, and a lawyer of prominice of that state.

His mother ELIZABETH HOOPER, was the daughter of PONTIUS HOOPER, and a grandaughter of ENERAL CLARK of Revoluntionary Fame.

He received a thorough education in the office of his father and his brother WILLIAM H. BURTON, the later also a prominent lawyer, who completed at the law school of PROFESSOR FOWLER, at Ballston Springs, NY.

MR. BURTON turned his steps westward and settled in Keokuk County, of this state, in 1855, where he practiced law until he removed to Ottumwa, Iowa, in January of 1859. Here he formed a partnership with JUDGE H.B. HENDERSHOT, then as now, an able and distinguished attorney and jurist; this partnership continued for twelve years, the firm enjoying a large and lucatrive practice, when it was disolved with mutual good-will, MR. BURTON retiring. In 1872 he formed a partnership with HON. EDWARD H. STILES, of the Ottumwa bar, and now of Kansas City, Mo.

In politics, JUDGE BURTON has always been identified with the Democratic Party, which has frequently honored him by placing his name upon it's ticket for important offices; but the party having generally been in the minority, never succeeded in making the official duties of MR. BURTON interfer with his legal practice until October 1878, when he was overwhelmingly elected Judge of the District Court of the Second Judicial District; in this contest, Judge BURTON's majority over his competitor, Capt. FEE, of Centerville, Iowa was nearly 2,500.

The following sketch of JUDGE BURTON was written by a friend, immediatly after his election to the Judgeship.

The biographies of men should be properly written after they are dead,; yet it may be with proriety be said amongst the leaders of the Bar of Iowa; MR. JUDGE BURTON deserves, by reason of his prominent talents, to rank conspicuosly.

JUDGE BURTON retired from the bench January 1, 1887, and resumed again the practice of Law, and there is little doubt that he will take his place again among the prominent lawyers of the State.

In private life he is domestic in his tastes, always cheerfully welcoming friends to his home, and is pleased at their coming, but seldon seeks society outside of his own family.

The wife of JUDGE BURTON, formerly MISS MARY J. CROCKER, is a daughter of the late COL. JAMES G. CROCKER, formerly of Fairfield,Jefferson County, but recently of Lancaster, Keokuk County, and the sister of that distinguished soldier and civilian, GEN. M.M. CROCKER, whom the people of Iowa delighted to honor, and whose memory they hold dear.

WPA records has EDWARD L. BURTON b: 1821 d: 1896
Ottumwa City Cemetery. Biography says he was born 1831.