The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-17
WILLIAM SUMNER BARTON.
City Treasurer for More Than Quarter
of Century-Hlsh In Masonic Circles.

" Sohiut -TliSu III WdSohIC SirCi6s.
William Sumner Barton was born at
Oxford, Sept, 80, 1924, the first of nine
children of Judge Ira Moore Barton
and Maria Waters Billiard.
With his family he moved to Worces-
ter when ten years old, and attended
the common schools, afterward going
to Worcester academy, where he was
fitted for entrance to Brown university
in 1910.
He was a member of the class of 1874,
which contained 26 members, most of
whom have since died.
After graduation, Mr.. Barton entered
Harvard law school, where he studied
for two years, perfecting his study by
work in his fathers law office in this
city.
He graduated from the law school in
practice in Massachusetts,. He
was first associated in the prac-
tice of law with his father, Judge
Barton, and Hon Peter C. Bacon, un-
der the firm name of Barton, Bacon &
Barton. This firm continued until 1850,
when Judge Barton retired and the firm
became Bacon & Barton. Later, Mr..
Barton practiced law on his own ac-
count until 1854, when he accepted po-
sition in the Bank of Commerce at Bos-
ton, retaining his residence in Worces-
ter.
For IS years he was collection clerk
in the Bank of Commerce, re-
signing his election as city treas
urer of Worcester in January,
1872 He continued in that office I'M
til January of the present year, and was
an example of courteous, painstaking
official. The legal knowledge, through
official. The legal knowledge, throughhis
practice of law, and financial and cleri-
cal knowledge from his experience with
the Bank of Commerce, are not usual
ly found in one person elected to a
city office.
When Judge Barton moved his fami-
ly from Oxford to Worcester, he occu-
pied the old Barton house, that occu-
pied the site of the present Clark block
on Main street. William S, Barton
lived there with the family until his
first marriage, April 4, 1S49, when he
moved to the house, 20 High street,
where he lived until his death.
He was first married to Anne Eliza
beth Hill, daughter of Samuel and
Mary G. Hill, who died Feb. 2S, 1869.
Three children were the fruits of the
marriage, all Of whom are living. They
are: Mrs. Alfred w. Dana, recently Of
Santa Rosa, Cal, now living at ~
Highland street, Mrs. c. Edgar Powers
Of Webster, and Mrs. A. M. Powell Of
Worcester.
Mr.. Barton's second marriage was
with Miss Kate Amy Ellery, daughter
Of William and Jane B. Ellery of New
York. The marriage was performed
by Bishop Horatio N, Southgate in New
York. Mrs. Barton and two children
William Ellery and Miss Edith Almy
Barton, survive him. OF the family of
Judge Barton, seven sons and two
daughters, one brother and two sisters
are living. The brother is Edmund M
Barton, librarian of the American An
tquarian Society, and the sisters are
Mrs. John w. Bigelow Of Cambridge
and Mrs. Samuel l.. Bigelow OF Wor-
cester.
Mr.. Barton never engaged in poll
tics, the only office aside from CITY
treasurer that he ever held being clerk
OF the ward ! republican committee. He
was an enthusiastic Mason, and was
connected with Morning Star lodge for
many years. lie was always called