Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 137
These enterprising gentlemen are engaged in the undertaking business, and have been associated together since November 1, 1898, succeeding the firm of Gillham & Barton. They are licensed embalmers and are in every way fitted and prepared to successfully conduct their business.
JAMES A. BARTON was born in a log house with a "puncheon" floor, and a door with a wooden latch, near Eagleville, Harrison county, Missouri, March 17, 1858, and his earliest recollection of labor is associated with the scrubbrush and flint hills of that country while he was herding sheep. He is a son of John and Lydia (Blunt) Barton, and on his mother's side is a lineal descendent of Daniel Boone - his grandfather being an own cousin of that gentleman. The elder Barton was a miller and after leaving Missouri the family came to Bedford, Illinois, then a little later moved to Nebo, Pike county, where he erected a mill. James Barton was educated at several different schools and managed to pick up a good bit of it as he traveled. In the spring of '76 the family moved to Mason City, Mason county, Illinois, and in 1877 our subject went to Winchester and worked on a farm for James O'Banion, later for M. B. Edmonson and then for Seth Fletcher. He was married to Miss Amy G. Miller, daughter of Fred and Julia Miller of North Prairie, September 5, 1883, and shortly after his marriage moved to Modesto, Macoupin county, Illinois, and remained there for ten years - the first five years were spent in farming and the second five years in the furniture and undertaking business. He sold out at Modesto, came back to Winchester and purchased the undertaking business of Joseph McClure, and on August 4, 1897, the firm of Gillham & Barton succeeded E. E. Watt in undertaking business, and November 1, 1898, Barton & Sappington succeeded Gillham & Barton. Mr. Barton is rearing an adopted child. He is a member of the Christian church, is a Master Mason, a member of the Royal Circle and the Fraternal Tribunes, and has Scotch-Irish blood enough in him to make him a splendid fellow.
W. MERRICK SAPPINGTON is a son of James and Ella Sappington and was born on a farm in North Winchester precinct, Scott county, Illinois, about five miles from Winchester, January 19, 1866. When he was three years of age the family moved to Missouri and for three years lived in the western and southwestern portions of that state. They then returned to the same old neighborhood in Scott county, and there Mr. Sappington was educated and grew to manhood. With the exception of about nine years, preceding the time of his entry into the business circles of Winchester, he worked upon the farm, but during that nine years he was engaged as an engineer and was in charge of stationary and portable engines. He was like other young men; he "sparked" a little, and on October 7, 1898, he was married to Miss Minnie Funk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Funk of Exeter. Mr. Sappington is a member of the Methodist church, as is also his wife; he is a Master Mason and a member of the Mutual Protective League. He has been here since 1898 and has proven himself every inch a gentleman.