Thomas Burton, a pioneer of 1831, deserves full representation in a work designer to perpetuate the names of the men who were first instrumental in the development of JoDaviess County. His has been a varied and busy career, during which he has labored to excellent advantage, and is now the owner of a fine property embracing 385 acres of valuable land, in Elizabeth Township. Upon this he prosecuted agriculture very successfully, and at the same time was interested in mining and smelting, being with his father and brothers the most noted smelters in the Northwest. He is now retired from the active business of life, and amid the comforts of s pleasant home is enjoying the reward of his industry. His residence is within the city limits of Galena, and is the old Gratiot homestead so well known to the old pioneers.

Our subject is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Robert Burton, who is mentioned at length in the biography of John Burton on another page in this volume. He was reared to habits of industry, and economy and during his boyhood and youth, were laid the foundations of a character which has placed him in a good position socially and financially among his fellow-men. He commenced early in life to lay his plans for the future, and was the first man to erect a successful smelting furnace in the United States. This was done in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Burton had noticed in an English paper that a reward was offered to any one who could succeed in smelting lead on properly in that place. He accomplished the task and received the prize. He did not selfishly keep his knowledge to himself, but taught others the valuable secret, and after establishing a smelting furnace in the Quaker City, came West, and also established one in Galena. He has thus handled millions of tons of ore. He built a steamboat at Cincinnati at a cost of $21,000, for the purpose of shipping his own lead to Cincinnati and New York City. He thus laid the foundations of a snug fortune and commencing as it were without other than his own resources, has proven a fine illustration of the self-made man, and that which may be accomplished by resolute industry and perseverance. A native of Derbyshire, England, our subject was born Jan. 24,1824, and was the youngest but two in a family of ten children, eight of whom came to the United States. They set out from Liverpool, parents and children, in January, 1828, and after an ocean voyage, landed on St. Patrick's day in New York City. Thence our subject came to Galena before reaching his majority. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, and for many years operated a smelting furnace for his father. He was married Dec. 31, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Evans, who was a native of Wales, and born Oct. 29, 1822. She came with her parents to America when a young woman. Further mention of her family is made in the biography of Evan Evans elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Burton was educated in her native province and was married not long after coming to this country.

To Mr. and Mrs. Burton there have been born seven children, the eldest daughter and third child of whom, Anna E., died when a little over two years old; Richard C, is a practicing physician of Savanna, 111.; he married Miss Anna Westwick, whose father, James Westwick, formerly of Galena, was a machinist of considerable repute; James T., married Miss Isabelle Blenkiron. and is living in Harrison County, Iowa, engaged in business. John is engaged in mercantile business at Persia, Harrison Co., Iowa; he married Miss Libby McHenry, a well-educated lad}r, and formerly a teacher. Edward A. took to wife Miss Ella Baker, and is a merchant of Portsmouth, Iowa; Hannah G., is a wife of H. S. Whitmore, a railroad engineer, and they reside in Galena; Maude A. makes her home with her parents and is engaged in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Burton are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Burton, politically, is a sound Republican, and at Galena represented his ward in the City Council three years. Mrs. Burton is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, a reader, and takes an interest in the preservation of the family history.

Transcribed by Christine Walters Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 696.