Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri. Born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, Britton began his business career as a store clerk in that state. In 1840 he moved out west and established his home in Troy, Missouri where he engaged in general merchandising. From there he moved to St. Louis, Missouri and became cashier of the Southern Bank. He retained that position until he was made president of the bank. Later, he was made president of the National Bank of the State of Missouri. The first public office he held was that of secretary of the Missouri State Senate in 1848. In 1852 and again in 1854, he represented Lincoln County in the legislature. During the session of 1856-57 he was chief clerk of the House of Representatives. For several years he was treasurer of Lincoln County and also served as postmaster of Troy, the county seat of that county. In 1875 he was elected mayor of St. Louis on the Democratic ticket and held that office until February 1876 when he was unseated as the result of a contest which had been instituted by Henry Overstolz, who had been the candidate against him in the preceding election. Mr. Overstolz became a candidate for mayor in 1875 on a non-partisan ticket, but his opponent, Mayor Barret, was declared elected. Mr. Barret's death a few months after his installation as mayor made a new election necessary, and again Mr. Overstolz went before the people as an independent candidate against Mr. Britton. Britton was declared the winner, but Mr. Overstolz contested the election and after a year of legal controversy, established his title to the office. He was inaugurated on February 9, 1876, and served the remained of the term until 1877, when he was reelected under the provision of the new charter.
Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri. Born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, Britton began his business career as a store clerk in that state. In 1840 he moved out west and established his home in Troy, Missouri where he engaged in general merchandising. From there he moved to St. Louis, Missouri and became cashier of the Southern Bank. He retained that position until he was made president of the bank. Later, he was made president of the National Bank of the State of Missouri. The first public office he held was that of secretary of the Missouri State Senate in 1848. In 1852 and again in 1854, he represented Lincoln County in the legislature. During the session of 1856-57 he was chief clerk of the House of Representatives. For several years he was treasurer of Lincoln County and also served as postmaster of Troy, the county seat of that county. In 1875 he was elected mayor of St. Louis on the Democratic ticket and held that office until February 1876 when he was unseated as the result of a contest which had been instituted by Henry Overstolz, who had been the candidate against him in the preceding election. Mr. Overstolz became a candidate for mayor in 1875 on a non-partisan ticket, but his opponent, Mayor Barret, was declared elected. Mr. Barret's death a few months after his installation as mayor made a new election necessary, and again Mr. Overstolz went before the people as an independent candidate against Mr. Britton. Britton was declared the winner, but Mr. Overstolz contested the election and after a year of legal controversy, established his title to the office. He was inaugurated on February 9, 1876, and served the remained of the term until 1877, when he was reelected under the provision of the new charter.
Bio by: Connie Nisinger
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