Siskiyou
County
Biographies
STEPHEN
TAYLOR BURTON
One of the noteworthy pioneers of northern
California was the late Stephen Taylor Burton, who is represented in the state
now by many descendants, and whose name will always occupy an important place
in the history of Siskiyou county and environs.
Stephen T. Burton was a very public-spirited man, and intensely
interested in general affairs, such as county roads and fairs, modern schools,
and pure bred stock. He was born in New
York state, June 11, 1847, and died July 20, 1925. When he was but six years of age, he moved to
Illinois with his family. His health was
not robust during his youthful years, and when he had reached the age of
sixteen he determined to come west on this account. Accordingly, he set out across the plains and
arrived at Orofino, August 8, 1863. He
loved stock, so his first work was done on various farms in the vicinity.
On June 8, 1872, he married Sarah J.
Shelley and shortly afterward purchased the old Burton ranch. In the development of this property, he
accomplished much, and made of it one of the finest ranches in the Quartz
valley. He and his wife became the
parents of eight children, namely: Mrs.
J. F. Meamber, Realto, H., William S., Frederick C., Frank E., Walter S., Mrs.
R. N. Evans, and Robert R. Mrs. Burton
died December 3, 1887, leaving the care of the numerous small children to her
husband, who fulfilled the responsibility left to him with success. On January 28, 1898, Mr. Burton was married
to Miss Anna H. Murray, who died in 1913.
They were the parents of four children, as follows: Burnell M., Theodore, Addie Marcel and Lewis
C. Mr. Burton divided his later years
among his adoring children, and his annual birthday was always the occasion for
a feast of celebration by all members of the family together. Six of his sons bore him to his final resting
place.
Mr. Burton was a stanch republican. He belonged to the Etna Lodge, of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1871, and in 1921 was
presented with a jewel betokening fifty years of membership.
Transcribed by
Rhonda Ruick O'Brien.
Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 Pages 77-78. Pioneer
Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Rhonda
Ruick O'Brien.
Golden Nugget Library's Siskiyou County Biographies