Columbia County PA Archives Biographies.....BARTON, Thomas J. 1840 - living in 1899
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  THOMAS J. BARTON, one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens of
  Bloomsburg, is proprietor of the White Mill of that town and enjoys a large and
  paying custom. He was born on the old Barton homestead on West Main street, near
  where the pottery now stands, September 28, 1840, and is a son of Caleb and
  Sarah (Rupert) Barton.
  
    Our subject comes from an old and prominent family whose members have long
  been connected with the growth and development of Bloomsburg and Columbia
  County. His great-grandfather was Elisha Barton, one of the early settlers of
  Bloomsburg, who was the son of Thomas Barton.
  
    Thomas Barton, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was of English birth
  and came to the United States with two brothers early in the eighteenth century,
  settling in Virginia. His companion in life was Hannah Clark, a native of
  England, and they were the parents of the following children: Daniel; Elisha,
  the great-grandfather of our subject; Theophilus; Roger; Undrel; Thomas; Clark;
  Amelia; Sarah; and Isabella. Elisha was born in Virginia, June 21, 1742, and
  lived there until 1781, when he came to Columbia County and located near the
  town of Bloomsburg. He purchased land on Fishing Creek and built what became
  known as the Red Mill at the foot of a hill and not far distant from the stream.
  It was one of the first mills erected in this section of the country and was on
  the site upon which our subject's mill is now located. He put in a wheatstone
  chopper and plaster grinders and did the custom work for the farmers for many
  miles distant. He also owned a large tract of land on the opposite side of the
  creek which he cleared, giving the lumber for the erection of the First
  Episcopal Church. He was one of the most prominent men of the county and was
  held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He was active and
  energetic and served for a number of years as justice of the peace. His first
  marriage was with Mary Simonton, whose death occurred shortly after they moved
  to Northumberland County. They reared one son, Thomas. On July 10, 1771, he
  formed a second union with Ann McCarty, who was born in New Jersey, March 20,
  1754, and they were the parents of the following children: Mary, who was born
  December 16, 1772, and married John Boone; Amelia, born October 2, 1774; Elisha,
  born September 2, 1777, and married Rachel Miller; Isaiah, born June 21, 1780,
  whose wife was Mary Thornton; Hannah, the wife of James Boone, born May 25,
  1783; John, who was born May 10, 1785, and married May C. Kreider; Anna, the
  wife of Abraham Klotz, was born January 6, 1778; Sarah, born May 2, 1790; Caleb,
  who married Mary Craig, born November 26, 1792; one, who died in infancy; Cyrus,
  whose birth occurred May 3, 1796, and who was united in marriage to Catherine
  Brewer; and Betsey, wife of William Robinson, born January 30, 1799. After
  living a long and useful life Mr. Barton passed into the world of rest September
  12, 1816, and his beloved wife survived him seven years, dying January 11, 1823.
  
    Isaiah Barton, grandfather of our subject, followed farming until 1842, when
  he purchased the mill property and, after tearing down the mill erected by his
  father, built the one which is now operated by our subject. He conducted a
  custom mill and found it a very remunerative occupation, as he was well
  patronized. He lived but a short time after the completion of the mill. He was
  united in marriage to Mary Thornton and they reared a large family of children,
  one of whom was Caleb, the father of our subject.
  
    Caleb Barton was born August 30, 1812, and lived upon the homestead farm
  during the early part of his life. He took charge of the farm, while his father
  conducted the affairs of the mill, until the latter's death, when he succeeded
  to the ownership of the mill. He successfully operated the mill until his death.
  In 1855 he built the handsome residence in which his son-in-law, Thomas Webb,
  now lives. In February, 1836, he was united in marriage to Sarah Rupert, a
  daughter of Peter Rupert, a member of one of the oldest families of the
  community, and they became the happy parents of six children: Evelina B., the
  wife of Dr. W. H. McReynolds; Mary, deceased; Thomas J., the subject of this
  biography; Catherine B., the wife of Alfred Ale; Emma B., the wife of John
  Moore; and Anna B., the wife of Thomas Webb. In 1862 he formed a second union
  with Delilah Creveling. Mr. Barton folded his hands in final rest in Bloomsburg
  in 1895, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In politics he was a Whig
  until the death of that organization, when he became a stanch supporter of the
  principles of the Republican party. In religious attachments he was a member of
  the Methodist Episcopal Church.
  
    Thomas J. Barton, our subject, was reared on the farm and after attaining his
  majority learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed in Bloomsburg for
  eight years. He then returned to the homestead farm, where he carried on general
  farming for twenty years, or until 1895, when he purchased the old Barton Mill
  property, and after making many improvements operated it. He has fitted it up
  with improved machinery and operates the mill in an up-to-date manner in every
  respect. He turns out a high grade of flour, the best brand being the White
  Lily, and it finds a ready sale on the market. He is a man in whom the people do
  not hesitate to place their confidence and he has many friends throughout
  Columbia County. In the fall of 1897 he built a fine residence on West Main
  street, where he has since resided.
  
    Mr. Barton served as a musician in the 6th Pa. Reserves for thirteen months,
  and received his honorable discharge in 1862. After his return he was drafted
  and became a member of Company A, 171st Reg., Pa. Militia, and served about
  eleven months, his regiment acting as scout during that time.
  
    Mr. Barton formed a matrimonial alliance with Henrietta Guild, a daughter of
  Aaron Guild of Hemlock township, and six children have blessed their happy
  union, namely: Edward, who married Annie Fowler, and has two of four children
  living. Mable and James; Catherine, deceased; Isaiah, a silk weaver, who married
  Mary Oswell, and they have the following children,—May, Thomas, Leone, Helen,
  Caleb, Fred, Ray, Francis, deceased, and Frank; Caleb, a miller; Harry, a
  teacher; and Maud, a graduate of the Bloomsburg High School.
  
    Mr. Barton is a Republican in his political affiliations. In religious belief
  he is a member of the Episcopal Church.
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
  
  Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
  Published by 
  Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
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