Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Burton, Joseph S 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 3:46 am

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Joseph S. Burton was for fifty-five years a resident of Wilmington and his 
many good qualities and strong traits of character made him a most highly 
respected citizen. He was born in Longworth, Lincolnshire, England, November 
4, 1822, and was therefore in the eighty-third year of his age when he passed 
away at Wilmington on the 7th of February, 1905. He pursued his education in 
the schools of his native country while spending his boyhood days under the 
parental roof. He was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stennet) Burton, both of 
whom were natives of England, in which country they passed away. The father 
engaged in market gardening there. The family numbered five sons and a 
daughter, but only one is now living—William—who resides in Wilmington, 
Illinois. Four of the sons, Thomas, Joseph, William and Septimus, came to the 
United States. Thomas married Elizabeth White and they had nine children, of 
whom three daughters are now living; Selina, the wife of Peter Brodie of 
Wilmington; Emma, the widow of Felix Iveeley, who died in 1902, leaving five 
sons and a daughter, living with their mother in Wilmington; Ann, the wife of 
John Hennings of Wilmington. Mr. Burton of this review came to the United 
States in 1849 and in November of that year settled in Wilmington. He was 
employed for several years in the White Cloud flour mill, having learned the 
milling business in the old country when a boy. Later he engaged in the meat 
business, in which he continued for several years, selling out, however, in 
1867. He then returned to his native land on a visit to relatives and after 
spending three months in that country returned to the new world with his wife. 
He had been married ere he left England the first time, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Emma Buliflint, whom he wedded in September, 1847. She went back to 
England and had made quite an extended visit there, when her husband returned 
to his native land in 1867. As stated, they again came to the United States 
after he had visited among friends and relatives for three months, and he 
engaged in the brokerage and real-estate business in Wilmington, in which 
connection he became well known, his real-estate operations proving an element 
in the substantial development of Wilmington as well as a source of individual 
profit. Mr. and Mrs. Burton had no children of their own, but adopted George 
W. Buliflint when he was two years of age. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John 
Buliflint, who came to the United States on the same vessel with Mr. and Mrs. 
Burton in 1849. Mrs. Buliflint, however, died on shipboard and was buried at 
sea. The father died soon after his arrival in this country and Mr. and Mrs. 
Burton adopted the little son, who was thus left an orphan. They reared and 
educated him and at the age of sixteen years he enlisted for service as a 
member of Company E, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil 
war. He was made a corporal July 18, 1S62, in recognition of the bravery which 
he had displayed at Harrison Landing. Later he was promoted to sergeant and 
was wounded in battle. He was then granted a furlough, which he spent at home, 
after which he returned to his regiment, but he lost his life at Fort Craig, 
April 2, 1865. The color bearer having been shot down, a volunteer was called 
for, and the young man took the place of his dead comrade. While thus 
defending the colors he gave up his life, having seven bullet holes in his 
body. After losing his first wife Mr. Burton was married on the 21st of 
September, 1893, to Miss Harriet Myers, the wedding ceremony being performed 
in Chicago by the Rev. Noble, of the Union Park Congregational church. Mrs. 
Burton was born in Ruswarp, Yorkshire, England, October 20, 1863, and was a 
daughter of John and Katurah (Ivirby) Myers, natives of England. Mr. Burton 
continued in business in Wilmington for many years and was a resident of the 
city for more than half a century. The old homestead has ever been noted for 
its hospitality and Mr. Burton was a man of genial nature and kindly 
disposition, who enjoyed the companionship of friends and neighbors. He was 
strictly honest in all of his dealings and his word could always be depended 
upon. He reached the age of eighty-two years and at his death Wilmington lost 
one of its representative and valued citizens. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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