My Genealogy Hound

William Z. Burton was born in Adair County, Ky., in March, 1831, being the second of three children born to Paris and Mary (Burton) Burton, who were also Kentuckians. The father was a farmer, a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and died many years ago. His father was a native of Ireland. William Z. Burton, our subject, was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of Kentucky. After reaching his eighteenth year he left home and came to Miller County, Mo., and settled in the township where he now resides in the winter of 1851. In May of that year he wedded Eliza Wilson, and soon after purchased a farm, and began freeing it from timber and getting it under cultivation, and here continued to make his home until 1882, when he purchased the farm where he now resides, which consists of about 400 acres. He has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace, and has been deputy sheriff of the county two terms. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Tuscumbia Lodge No. 437. He is now a member of Chapter No. 87, and has been junior warden of the lodge and also junior deacon. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are the parents of the following children: John W., married, and residing in Osage Township; Mary E. (Mrs. Fancher); Robert F., also married and residing in Osage Township; Lucy L. (Mrs. Stark); Josephine, widow of Albert Howard; Zachariah, Emma B., Samuel T. and Owen Elijah. Mr. Burton is in every respect a self-made man, and all his property has been acquired by his own energy and good management. He now controls the ferry at Burton’s Landing. His wife’s parents, Alexander and Mary (Smith) Wilson, were born in Morgan County, Mo., and came to Miller County at an early day. The Smiths also resided in Morgan County. Daring the War of 1812 Grandfather Wilson went in a canoe down the Mississippi river to take part in the battle of New Orleans.