3159. Jesse Billings⁹ BARTON (Samuel Emery⁸, Samuel Hersey⁷, Phinehas⁶, John⁵, Caleb⁴, Samuel³, Matthew², Edward¹)⁽²¹⁰⁸⁾ was born in Demorestville, Ontario, Canada 28 May 1850. Jesse died 17 April 1916 in Hinsdale, Du Page, IL, at 65 years of age.

He married twice. He married Ella R. WILCOX February 1879. Ella was born 5 February 1855. Ella was the daughter of Albert WILCOX. Ella died 27 December 1879 at 24 years of age. He married Lucy Eudora THOMAS Bonfield 25 February 1885. Lucy was born 1845 in Chicago, Cook, IL. Lucy was the daughter of Jesse Burgess THOMAS.

Jesse was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census in Calumet, Cook, IL. The following individuals are also linked to this event: Lucy Adelaid BARTON (daughter); Jesse Billings BARTON (son); Walter Irving BARTON (son); Lucy Eudora THOMAS Bonfield (wife). Jesse was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census in Downers Grove, DuPage, IL. The following individual is also linked to this event: Lucy Eudora THOMAS Bonfield (wife). [Jesse Billings Barton, of the law firm of Barton & Hoch, was born at Demorestville, Ontario, in 1850. His father, Samuel E. Barton, descended from a staunch old Puritan family of Massachusetts, and his mother, Philana Billings, from the well known family of Vermont and New Hampshire. In 1873, Jesse graduated from Albert College, Belleville, Ontario, and immediately removed to Chicago and began the study of law with Ewing & Leonard. He was admitted to the Bar in January, 1876, and entered the office of Corporation Counsel Elliott Anthony. He afterward became assistant corporation counsel, which position he held until Carter Harrison was elected mayor, in 1879. Mr. Barton then commenced the practice of his profession in a private capacity, being associated for a short time with E. L. Chamberlain. In May, 1884, he formed a partnership with James J. Hoch. Mr. Barton's practice has been general, he having acted for a few years past as attorney of the South Park Commission. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Ella Wilcox, of Jefferson County, N. Y., who died during the same year. In February, 1885, he married Mrs. J. F. Bonfield, under whose husband he had formerly served as assistant corporation counsel. Mrs. Barton is a daughter of Jesse B. Thomas, at one time judge of the State Supreme Court; her grandfather on her mother's side was Theophilus Smith, also a judge on the Supreme Bench.

Jesse Billings BARTON and Ella R. WILCOX had the following child:

4452 i. Ella Wilcox¹⁰ BARTON was born 20 December 1879.

Jesse Billings BARTON and Lucy Eudora THOMAS Bonfield had the following children:

+ 4453 ii. Alice Marie BARTON was born 28 March 1880.

+ 4454 iii. Jesse Billings BARTON was born 21 November 1885.

4455 iv. Walter Irving BARTON was born in Chicago, Cook, IL 1 June 1888. Walter died 5 June 1905 in Hinsdale, Du Page, IL, at 17 years of age. Walter was listed as a son in Jesse Billings BARTON's household on the 1900 Census in Calumet, Cook, IL. The following individuals are also linked to this event: Lucy Adelaid BARTON (daughter); Jesse Billings BARTON (son); Lucy Eudora THOMAS Bonfield (wife).

4456 v. Lucy Adelaid BARTON was born in Ogden, UT 26 September 1891. Lucy died 14 May 1979 in Round Rock, Williamson, TX, at 87 years of age. Lucy is listed as a sister in an unknown person's household in the 1930 census in Hinsdale, Du Page, IL. The following individuals are also linked to this event: Jesse Billings BARTON (Head of Household); Robert Lewis BARTON (son); Jesse Billings BARTON III (son); Frankie Angeline LEWIS (wife). Lucy Barton, professor emeritus of drama, died on May 14, 1979. She was 87. Professor Barton was born on September 26, 1891, in Ogden, Utah. She earned her bachelor's degree from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1917. She earned her master's degree from New York University in 1943.

Prior to joining the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 1947, Professor Barton was head of the Department of Drama at the University of Arizona. She had also taught at the Universities of Iowa, Michigan, and Washington. In professional theater, she had worked as a costumer for the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the Federal Theater in Chicago and New York, and the Globe Theater at the Century of Progress in Chicago.

At UT Austin she created the costumes for about 30 productions in Greek and Shakespearean classics as well as modern comedies. In addition, she published various books, including Historic Costume for the Stage, a major textbook considered "the bible of stage costume design." In 1957 Professor Barton was recognized for her work with the Award of Merit from the Southwest Theater Conference. In 1960 she received the Eaves Award from the American Educational Theater Association for outstanding contributions. John R. Durbin, Secretary The General Faculty Biographical sketch prepared by Teresa Palomo Acosta and posted on the Faculty Council web site on November 17, 2000. Additional biographical sources can be found in the Barker Texas History Center and UT Office of Public Affairs.

Send email to preparer: pwbarton1@comcast.net

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