Tulare County
Biographies
JAMES BARTON
James Barton, one of the early settlers of Tulare County, and one of its capable and efficient supervisors for the past twenty years, was born in New Jersey on October 18, 1819. The ancestors of the family came from Great Britain and settled in New Jersey. Mr. Barton's father, Eleazer Barton, was a native of that State. He married Rachel Reed, a native of the same State. Her ancestors were also early settlers in New Jersey. Mr. Barton's grandfather came to America a soldier of the British army; but like many others, deserted and joined the American forces. He served through the struggle for the independence of the colonies. Mr. Barton was the second son of a family of eleven, and was reared and educated in his native State. He learned both the carpenter and cabinet-making trades. He was married before leaving New Jersey to Miss Susan Davenport. In 1846, he removed to Davenport, Illinois, when that State was in embryo. They settled on government land in La Salle County, cleared and improved it, and then disposed of it. He then removed to Iowa and procured other lands, and later purchased timbered lands and built a saw mill, and carried on business in Iowa for fourteen years. In 1865 he came to Tulare County, California, and located near Slick Rock, where he lived and farmed until 1880. He made fine improvements, and sold to his son, who now resides on the property. Mr. Barton purchased 200 acres of land thirty miles east of the city of Visalia, where he has improved and planted a fine fruit ranch. He has apples, prunes, and a variety of fruit, his apples selling at from two to three cents per pound. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barton eleven children, eight of whom are still spared to them, all living in Tulare County. Their names are as follows: Hudson D., Orlando D., Milton, Enos D., Jason E., Jane C., the wife of James B. Weaths; Cecelia A., the wife of James A. Butts; Rachel Melissa, the wife of Robert Harden Mr. Barton cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and still stands firm in the doctrines of the old Jeffersonian Democracy. In 1869 he was elected one of the supervisors of his County, has held the office nearly all the time since, and has shown marked ability and great interest in the welfare of the County. The fine public buildings which are a credit and ornament to the County and second to none in the State are largely the results of his efforts.
It is most gratifying to learn that his fellow citizens esteem him highly,
appreciate his efforts and give him the credit for he has done. He now resides
in Visalia in a home of his own, where he is spending the evening of a worthy
life. He is a good husband and father, an upright citizen, and a faithful and
trusted public officer.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and
Kern, California Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892, Page 804
Transcribed by Beverly Green
JOHN BEATY
John Beaty is a native of Missouri, born in
Pulaski County, August 30, 1834. His father, Henry Beaty, was a farmer,
stock-raiser and trader. From Pulaski County he purchased large quantities of
cattle and hogs, drove them south to Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama, and there
disposed of them. He died in Benton County, Missouri, in 1889, well advanced in
years. The mother, whose maiden name was Jane Newell, is still living at her
native home in Pulaski County, Missouri. She had six sons and six daughters, and
of these twelve John is the second born. Mr. Beaty came to California in 1858
and located at Visalia. Until 1868 he devoted a part of his time to mining in
Oregon; from there came to Kernville, and then to Weldon, Kern County. Since
1884 he has been the trusted superintendent and manager of Andrew Brown's
extensive ranching interests at Weldon.
Mr. Beaty was married December 1, 1859, to Miss Alvira Pemberton, of Saline
County, Missouri. A devoted wife and loving mother, she died in the prime of
womanhood in 1877, leaving five children: Mary E., now Mrs. Beverly Robinson,
Newell, Olla, wife of Ed. Cross, and Charlie and Nellie.
Mr. Beaty is a man of social habits and conservative business methods, and by
all who know him is regarded as a first-class citizen.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and
Kern, California
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892, Page 723 Transcribed by Beverly
Green