BURTON, George W.

BURTON, George W. (Philadelphia, PA--Dubuque, IA, February, 1895). Burton came to Dubuque in 1843 and found employment as a clerk for Waples & Zerkle. He went into business for himself around 1849 in the business of Burton and Company on the corner of 4th and Main. He prospered; his store was one of the largest in the community. (1) He was also active in the Democratic Party and once served as chairman of the state Democratic committee. (2)

Around 1856 Burton started a bank in partnership with Dr. John FINLEY. The two men also were involved in real estate speculation. With Peter WAPLES they platted all of West Dubuque south of the Delhi Road. They also platted Heeb's Hollow and all the land north of the Delhi Road. The three men established a white lead plant in West Dubuque. Burton's wealth at the time was estimated between $100,000 and $300,000. The PANIC OF 1857 destroyed his wealth, and at the start of the CIVIL WAR, he was broke. (3) During the war he was a partner with J. P. Quigley in selling grain. (4)

In 1863 Burton and Charles Chapline opened an auction store of the corner of Main and 8th STREETS. This business was profitable, and they entered the business of mineral and land speculation. On land he purchased, a rich deposit of LEAD was found again making Burton a wealthy man. Again, however, events went against him. He prepared a set of abstracts at great expense to himself and then had to sell them at a loss. Water then flooded his mine and expensive equipment had to be used to allow any mining to continue. By 1875 he was again bankrupt. He was admitted to the practice of law, but failed in this and died alone--forgotten by his family and former friends. (5)

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Source:

1. "Eventful Career," Dubuque Daily Herald, February 21, 1895, p. 8

2. "A Ghastly Find," Dubuque Daily Herald, February 19, 1895, p. 8. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18950219&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "Eventful Career"

4. "A Ghastly Find."

5. "Eventful Career"