Pottawattamie CountyHistory of Pottawattamie County, Iowa...to 1907 A-Z Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. Roscoe Barton, a representative member of the Pottawattamie county bar, living in Avoca, has the ability which ranks him with the strong and successful representatives of the legal fraternity in this part of the state. In no profession does advancement depend more entirely upon individual merit, and he who wins a large clientage must possess comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, together with the skill to accurately apply such principles to the points in litigation. Mr. Barton's talents, natural and acquired, have well qualified him for his chosen field of labor. A native of Iowa, he was born in Osage, March 3, 1867, his parents being Walter C. and Dianthia (Dewey) Barton. The father was born in the state of New York but on the Pennsylvania border, March 26, 1833, and was there reared. When young man he went to Wisconsin, locating just outside the city limits of Osage, where he engaged in farming and teaming. In 1870 he came to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres lying in Valley township. He resolutely began its development and improvement, and as the years passed he added to this place from time to time until he became owner of more than a section of land which later, however, he decided among his sons. He still owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of this farm and derives an excellent income therefrom. In 1892 he retired from active life and removed to Avoca, where he has since made his home. He is a republican in politics and has always been interested in community affairs to the extent of giving active co-operation to many movements for the public good. In 1882 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Marion L., a resident of Napa, Nebraska; Rosa D., the wife of L. Palmer, of Winona, Minnesota; Orion W., living in Avoca, Iowa; Roscoe, of this review; and Florence, the wife of Fred Bombay, editor and proprietor of the Canby Herald, of Canby, Minnesota. After losing his first wife the father was again married in 1895, his second union being with Mrs. Hannah Altig. Roscoe Barton was reared in his father's home and acquired his education in the Shenandoah Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, and in Cornell College at Mount Vernon. His literary course being thus completed, he entered upon preparation for the bar, and in the fall of 1888 became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in the class of 1890. He was then admitted to the Michigan bar and soon after his return to this state was admitted to practice at the Iowa bar. He located in Avoca, where he opened his office, and in the seventeen years which constitute the interim from that day to this he has built up an enviable law practice, which classes him with the able lawyers of the county. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, presents them with clearness and force, and never fails to impress court or jury in an argument, while in many instances he has won notable forensic victories. In 1892 Mr. Barton was married to Miss Lulu Burks, of Harlan, Iowa, and they now have one child, Roscoe H. Mr. Barton is a supporter of democratic principles and recognized as one of the leaders of his party in this locality. He served for two terms as mayor of Avoca and five years as city attorney, and in both offices discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. In his social relations he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with Atlantic lodge, B. P. O. E. He has made many friends during his residence in Avoca, both in professional and social lines, and is recognized as one whose strength of character and laudable ambition constitute the basis of his success and prominence. W. C. Barton, at one time extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pottawattamie county, is now living retired in Avoca. He has born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 26, 1833, in an old log house with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, and was four years of age when the family removed to Cattaraugus county, New York, remaining there until going to Wisconsin. His parents were James and Darcus (Ackley) Barton, the former of English descent and the latter of Welsh ancestry. The father, in company with our subject, removed to Waupaca county, Wisconsin, and pre-empted a claim from the government at a dollar and a quarter an acre. They improved the land and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits there for eight years, at the end of which time the father passed away. The mother died at Durand, Wisconsin, four years after her husband's death. W. C. Barton acquired his education in an old log schoolhouse with slab benches and other primitive furnishings characteristic of those early days in New York. Though the methods of instruction were crude, he managed to acquire a good practical education and has largely added to his knowledge by reading and observation in later years. After the death of his parents he sold the farm in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, in 1866, and came to Iowa, taking up his abode in Mitchell county upon a farm which he purchased. He successfully operated this tract until 1870, when he gain sold out and removed to Pottawattamie county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Valley township. He met with unusual success in his farming operations here and continually added to his holdings by additional purchases until he became the owner of eight hundred acres of rich and productive farming land. He now owns but two hundred and twenty-five acres of this tract, having divided a portion of it among his children and sold another part of it. In 1891, Mr. Barton retired from the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Avoca, where he has since lived retired in the enjoyment of many of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living. He owns three residences in the town and is recognized as one of the representative and enterprising citizens of Pottawattamie county, having in former years been extensively and successfully connected with its agricultural interests. He owes his prosperity entirely to his own well directed energy and capable business management and therefore richly merits the rest which has come to him in his later years. Mr. Barton was married twice. His first wife bore the maiden name of Diantha Dewey and was born in New York, in 1834. She was a daughter of Horace Dewey and a distant relative of Admiral Dewey, and by her marriage become the mother of five children: Marion, a resident of Nebraska; Rosie, the wife of A. L. Palmer, of Winona, Minnesota; Orrin, living in Avoca, Iowa; Roscoe, a lawyer of Avoca; and Florence, the wife of Fred Bombay, who resides in Minnesota. After the death of his first wife Mr. Barton was married, April 6, 1893, to Mrs. Hannah Altig, a native of Fountain county, Indiana. She was the widow of William Altig, and a daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth Abernathey, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Kentucky. Mrs. Barton was one of ten children and both her parents are now deceased. Mr. Barton has always been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and has served as school director for eight years, the cause of education finding in him a strong champion. He and his wife support the Congregational church and are highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. He has made good use of his opportunities. He has prospered from year to year and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management. He has not permitted the accumulation of a competence to affect in any way his actions toward those less successful than he and has always a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact. He now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose actions have at all times been guided by honorable, manly principles.
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