My Genealogy Hound

Alpheus M. Burton, real estate, loan and insurance agent at Lamar, Mo., was born in Greensboro, Guilford County, N. C., June 9, 1843, on the farm where the battle of Guilford Court House was fought. His parents, Isaac W. and Lydia (Hedgecock) Burton were born in North Carolina, in 1818 and 1821, respectively. After their marriage they resided in that State until 1852, then moved to Centreville, Iowa, where they are still residing on a farm. The father is a Republican, has held the office of justice of the peace, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joshua Burton, the great-grandfather, was born in Ireland, and came to America about 1756, settling on the above named farm, which is still in possession of the family. He was a Revolutionary soldier. His son John, the grandfather of our subject, was an extensive planter and slave holder, but gave his slaves their liberty in 1852. Alpheus M. Burton is the eldest of the six children born to his parents. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools, and, after reaching manhood, entered college at Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he remained two years. He then turned his attention to the hardware and implement business at Iconium, Iowa, for six years, and the following five years was in the real estate business at Allerton, Iowa. He served as mayor of this town two terms. In 1883 he came to Lamar, and has since been engaged in his present business. He is interested in farming, and owns 620 acres of land. He was married, in 1875, to Sadie E. White, a native of Centerville, Iowa, and by her has had three children: Roy, Lucille, and Fay (deceased). His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics. His maternal great-grandfather, Joshua Hedgecock, and two brothers, David and Samuel, came from England, and settled in Guilford County, N. C., about the same time as the Burton family.