Son of Nancy (Quakenbush) and Phillip Burton. Married Harriet Jane Sweazey, October 30, 1845, McHenry Co. IL. Known children: Sarah Jane; Mahala; Orlando James; Clara; Orilla; Orin; Rachel; Emmelette; Kate; Hattie; Menzo; Nora; Anna; Infant Son; and Orabell.

Like ripened sheaf.

A native of New york but a resident of this township for almost 66 years. Billings Burton, retired farmer and well known citzen, died at his home in this city last Saturday afternoon. Death was not unexpected, for he had been in failing health for several years, due to diabetes, which became more aggravated as he advanced in years and the last few months it took deep root, making his life only a matter of a short time, and when the final summons came he submitted to the inevitable, conscious that his time had come, for he had attained the age of almost 86 years.

Mr. Burton was born at Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York, April 26, 1821. His boyhood and early manhood were spent there and in the fall of 1841, in his 20th year, he came west, first stopping at Southport, now Kenosha, from which he walked to Harvard and bought a farm from the goverment in the township of Chemung in the northwest part of the town, which Theo Walker now owns.

In 1844 Mr. Burton was united in marriage to Harriet J. Sweasey, a resident of Springfield, Otsega County, New York, after which they came to Illinois and began life on the farm in this township on which they resided for almost 60 years or until 1901, when they sold the farm to Mr. Walters and moved to Sharon, their home until a year ago last fall the date of their coming to this city.

Mr. Burton became a resident of McHenry County at a very early day and we believe he was the last of the pioneers who came to this town as early as 1841, residing here continuosly, except a few years in Sharon, until his death. His coming preceded the building of the railroads and from Kenoha he made the 44 miles to Harvard on foot and from here he walked about 6 miles to buy the farm which was his home for so many years. Coming before the era of the railroad meant also other conveniences fo today were unknown. Milwaukee, Southport, and Chicago were his nearest places to market the produce and crops he had to sell; log houses and primitive ways of living were the rule; the land was uncultivated and neighbors were few; Indians were numerous in the community and there were other evidences of trials and privations that beset the sturdy pioneer, to which class Mr. Burton essentially belonged.

Endowed with a vigorous constitution, undaunted courage and sturdy will, Mr. Burton aided by a loyal and devoted wife, began life amid such conditions and well did he suceed. Their home was blessed with a family of 12 (living) children-three sons and nine daughters - namely James O. living in the town of Leroy.Orrin of Sharon, Menzo of Zenda, Mrs. Sarah Corkins, Peabody, Kansas, Mrs. Mahala Piper, Mrs. Lillie, Mrs. Joe Englehardt, Mrs. Horton Gillis and Mrs Clara Spicer of Harvard and Mr. Charles Quackenbush residing near the old homestead.

Decedent was well known as a man of the strictest integrity and throughout his long and active life endeared himself to a wide circle of friends because of his strong personality, his upright character and high sense of honor. Until compelled by the inroads of the malady that caused his death, he was always and industrious man and as the fruition of a life of industry and frugality suceeded in accumulating a nice property. Besides the 12 children he is survived by the companion of his life and the sharer of his joys and sorrows, and to her and the children the sympathy of many friends, 28 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren also survive him, and also one brother, Charles Burton of Sharon and two sisters, Mrs. Mercy Burr of Hoxey, Kansas, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hollister of Lincoln, Nebraska.

The funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at his home in thi city. The house was filled with relatives adn sympathizing friends, many of his neighbors coming from Sharon to pay their last tribute of respect. Rev. E. K. D. Hestor, pastor of the Harvard Methodist Church officiated and in his sermon paid a touching tribute to the life of decedant who was a man of sturdy character. The remains were taken to Burr Oak Cemetary, E. Burton, Ed Lillie, Orrin Lillie, Dan Spicer, Fred Piper, and Frank Burton acting as pall bearers. Relatives from out of town included Mrs. Sarah Corkins, Peabody, Kansas, John Burton, Streator, Illinois, and Clark Harris, Richmond, Wisconsin.

HARVARD HEARLD

1907