Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Kent County, Michigan Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman & Co., 1881 [p. 778-779] The following sketch of MRS. BARNEY BURTON contains much valuable historical matter: MRS. HARRIET BURTON, born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., June 23, 1813, came to Grand Rapids with her parents in the year 1833. Her father built the first frame house here, where now stands the city of Grand Rapids. This house was located at the foot of Monroe street, where the City National Bank is now located. April 13, 1834, the subject of this sketch was married to BARNEY BURTON, their marriage being the first one solemnized in Kent county. MR. BURTON, her husband, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 16, 1807, and died April 17, 1861. The same year of their marriage they settled on the farm now owned by CHARLES W. GARFIELD in the town of Paris, about three miles from the city of Grand Rapids. On this farm they built them a log house, and in a short time he built himself a frame barn, being the first frame barn built in township of Paris, or Kent county. Three years after their settlement on this farm they built a frame house and occupied it as their dwell- ing, till they removed back to the city in 1855. This house was afterward sold and removed from the farm, and is now the barn of one MR. WINCHELL, living about one mile east of the old homestead. At the time of their marriage the law required them to have a marriage license before the ceremony could be solemnized. In this case, as the town was not yet organized, they had to wait some four weeks for the first town meeting to organize the town. At this meeting there were but nine voters in the town. They were married by REV. MR. SLATER, who was a mission- ary among the Indians on the west side of the river, it being the first marriage in town. Nearly everybody in town was present. In this year (1881) we find MRS. BURTON as well preserved an old lady as most women are at 45 and 50. Never had any children, but has brought up several to man and womanhoood. She now resides in the family of WILLIAM LARAWAY, in the township of Grand Rapids, a distant relative by marriage. ================================================================================