Montgomery County PA Archives Biographies.....Burton, John January 27, 1852 - 
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Jow Patterson jpatter@epix.net January 3, 2026, 6:09 pm

Source: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, T. S. Benham & Company and the Lewis Publishing Company, 1904
Author: Ellwood Roberts, Editor

JOHN BURTON, of Springfield township, Montgomery county. 
Pennsylvania, an enterprising and prosperous business man, 
whose reliable methods have brought to him a large degree of 
financial success and given to him a prominent place in 
business circles, was born in England, January 27, 1852, On 
the old homestead, one of four children of John and Ann 
(Hand) Burton, both of whom are now deceased. His 
educational advantages were obtained in the schools of his 
native country, and after laying aside his school books he 
took up the study of gardening, and for a period of time was 
employed in the Earl of Stamford's gardens in England.

In 1872 he decided to test the business opportunities of the 
United States, and accordingly set sail on the steamship 
"Atlantic," landed in the city of New York, and came on to 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He secured employment there at 
his trade, and in 1876 did considerable work on the grounds 
of the Centennial Exhibition held in that city. He then took 
up his resident in New Orleans, Louisiana, residing there 
two years, after which he came to his present home in 
Springfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He at 
once purchased twenty-one acres of land and engaged in the 
florist business. The enterprise was a success from the 
beginning, and has steadily grown in proportions from year 
to year, until now (1904) he has a plant with over two 
hundred thousand feet of glass in it, and is regarded as one 
of the leading rose growers in this country. He was recently 
appointed assignee of Craig & Son, of Philadelphia, florists 
and growers, and by his careful and conservative methods is 
bringing this business along in a successful manner.

Mr. Burton is a staunch adherent of the principles of 
Democracy, and is a leader in politics in his township. In 
1891 he was elected to the state legislature, and during his 
term of office discharged the duties with distinction and 
credit, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents.

For ten consecutive years he served the township as school 
director, and the cause of education has always found in him 
all earnest advocate. He is a member of the Florist 
Association of America. Mr. Burton was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth A. Lees, a daughter of George Lees, superintendent 
of a carpet works in the city of Philadelphia. Their 
children are: Alfred, who married Edith D. Harper, they have 
one child; George, married to Rose Taylor, they also have 
one child; Alice and Elizabeth A., who are unmarried. The 
sons assist their father in his business. The family are 
highly respected in the community, where they enjoy the 
acquaintance of a wide circle of friends.

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