The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-12-24
THE STORY OF MAJOR
JESSELANDON BURTON
One of ofPutnam County's Ac-
tive Pioneers-WhO Died
Last Sunday.

FROM OndplH , bloS dPllIeo u
Prominent Floridians, Vol. 2, TIL;
News takes the following story of tht
life of Major Jesse Landon Burton
whose death at his home in Crescen
City occurred last Sunday morning al
O'Clock. The story was prepared
some three years ago:
Much of the advancement and pro
gress made in the state Of Florida
along agricultural and horticultural
lines is due to such men as Major j
| l.. Burton of Crescent City, who has
been located in the state since 1868
and in a private and public capacity
has done much to promote the gener-
al interests. The land on which Cres-
cent City now stands was once owned
bv him as farm and he still owns
valuable property adjoining the cor
porate limits which is largely devot-
ed to orange culture, although he now
| lives practically retired after long
and useful life, which also comprises
a period of distinguished military ser
vice rendered in defending the cause
which his principles recognized as q
rightful one to support. =,
Born in Greensboro, Alabama, April
1S, 1888, ]. l.. Burton is a son OF
John Hudson Burton and Mrs. Eliza
beth Whitworth Hooper Burton, the
latter having been previously married
and having two sons by that marriage
Both went to Texas in their later lives
and there one of them passed away
before the opening of the Civil war.
The mother was a native of Camp
bell county, Virginia, and died in
Greensboro, Alabama, in 1850. The
father was also born in Campbell
county, Virginia, and, marrying IN
Alabama, became a pioneer of that
state, where he resided for the rest
of his life, giving his efforts to farm
ing. He died in 1867. He had also
previously been married. Of his sec
ond union were born one daughter
and three sons, the oldest child being
Betty F. Ward of Greensboro, Alaba-
ma, while Major J. L. Burton of this
review was the second in order OF
birth. The other two members of the
1amlly, Jerry anu w imam
both deceased. They served vallantly
and with distinction in the, Confeder-
ate army, enlisting from Alabama.
Major ]. L. Burton resided at home
until he enlisted for service in 1861
in Company D of the Eleventh Ala
hama Regiment, Whlch was par VI
Wilcox's brigade, and with it he sserV-
cd until the end of the war. AS a
memento of the conflict ne carries on
his body seven bullet marks. Enlist
ing as color bearer, he was for meriI
torious conduct promoted to the rank
of major and put in command Oh d
battalion of sharpshootersS, partlclpait-
ing in practically all the large 6attleS
of the Army Of the Potomac. Six OF
his injuries were flesh wounds ana
the seventh was caused by piece
of she'll which lacerated his Skull our
ing the action before Petersburg. On1
der his left shoulder blade ne sun
carries a one-ounce mimic ball Whlcn
he received at the second battle OF
Manassas and his left hand ana arm
show heavy bullet scars, Aithougn
he was so heavily wounded, ne was
home on but sixty days OF 1ufloeen
during the entire conflict and this tur-
Tough was granted when he was
wounded in the hand and the surgeon
advised to amputate that member
which he refused to do the. success
full outcome proving the wisdom OF
his Judgment.
After the close of the conflict Ma
ior Burton engaged in farming IN Al
ALBANIA independently but subsequent
III - ,,d II, nart0prShiD with