The homestead belonging to this lady is considered one of the most valuable in Elizabeth Township. It is finely located on section 28, comprises 360 acres of thoroughly cultivated land, and was left her by her deceased husband, James Barton, who departed this life on the 5th of November, 1884, at the home which he had transformed from a tract of uncultivated land.
The interests of Mrs. Barton have centered in this county since her birth, which took place in Elizabeth Township, Dec. 23, 1845. She is the daughter of one of the earliest pioneers of this section, Edward Tonkin, a native of England, who married Miss Mary A. Tippitt, a lady born and reared not far from the boyhood home of her husband. They emigrated to America about 1841, after their marriage, making their way directly to Pottsville, Pa., where the father was employed as a coal-miner until the year following. They then set out for Northern Illinois, and settled upon a tract of land in the vicinity of Weston, Elizabeth Township, in 1842. They sojourned in that region a period of seven years, the father following lead mining most of the time. He finally removed to section 21 in Elizabeth Township, purchasing eighty acres of land from the Government, and commenced to build up a homestead from the uncultivated prairie. He was prospered in his labors, and added to his first possessions another eighty acres, living there until his decease on the 12th of December, 1861. The mother followed her husband to the silent land on the 1st of May, 1868. Theirs was the common lot of pioneers, in which they endured many hardships, and exercised great industry and economy in the struggle to improve the farm and build up a comfortable homestead. The mother of Mrs. Barton was twice married, her first husband being John Clymo, by whom she had one child, a son, John, who is now in Colorado. Of her second marriage there were born four children: Mary A., who died when four years old; Edward, a resident of Redfield, N. Y.; Mary, the wife of Thomas Barton of Dickinson County, Kan.; and Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch.
For a period of thirteen years he served as Commissioner of Highways greatly to his own credit and the satisfaction of his constituents. During that period he instituted many improvements suggested by his good judgment and forethought. In his death the county lost one of her most useful and progressive citizens.
To Mr. and Mrs. Barton there was born an interesting family of five children, namely: George A.; Mary E., who died when eight years old; Emma I., and Lillie May. These all make their home with their mother, who has superintended their training and education with that interest only felt by a lady conscientious and intelligent, and having in view their future welfare. She still occupies the fine home left her by her husband, and superintends the operation of the farm with unquestionably good judgment. Among her neighbors she is held in high esteem.
Transcribed & Contributed by Carol Parrish
Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 439
Mrs. Barton spent her childhood and youth under the parental roof, receiving excellent home-training and a common-school education. She became thoroughly familiar with all useful household duties and was thus well-fitted to take upon herself those which she would assume as the wife of a good man.
Her marriage with Mr. James Barton (His portrait featured here) was celebrated under the parental roof, March 9, 1865. James Barton was born in the north of Ireland, June 15, 1819, and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Barton, who came to America when he was a lad eight years of age. They settled in Philadelphia, Pa., but in the spring of 1838 came to this county, and the father pre-empted land on section 16, in Elizabeth Township. He was joined by his family the spring following, and to the opening up of a farm thereafter gave his undivided attention. He and his excellent wife here spent the remainder of their lives. Their son, James, thereafter continued a resident of Elizabeth Township until his demise, in the meantime making for himself the record of an honest and a good citizen. The homestead, which was transformed to its present state from a comparative wilderness, will remain as a monument to his industry and perseverance for years to come. He possessed all the excellent qualities of character which develop the useful and worthy citizen, and maintained a uniform interest in the enterprises calculated for the good of the people around him. In religious matters he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as Steward, and contributed liberally to its support. Politically, he was a decided Republican, and had a perceptible influence in the councils of his party in this section.
