Otis Henry Burton (abt. 1837 - 1898)

Born about 1837 in Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine

Ancestors

Husband of Susan M. (Payne) Burton — married 15 Mar 1870 in Hunt County, Texas

Descendants

Died 21 Jul 1898 at about age 61 in Texas

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Biography

Otis was born about 1837 in Maine, the son of William and Clarrisa (Lowe) Halliburton (Or Burton), in Bangor, Maine. Prior to 1860 he moved west and settled in the Kansas Territory. This is where he met his future wife, Susan Mary Payne. Before he had a chance to profess his love to her, she moved with her family to another state. They soon lost touch.

About this time, the Civil War broke out and Otis enlisted in the 25th Missouri Regiment of the Union Army. While serving in the war, he was severely wounded and not expected to survive. He wrote a farewell letter to his mother but against all odds, he eventually recovered. After feeling well enough to rejoin his regiment, Otis joined them on a mission to transport supplies across the plains. During the journey, a band of Native Americans attacked the party, killing everyone in the company except for Otis, who received severe wounds.

Otis was taken prisoner and led back to the tribe’s mountain home in the Southwest. He gradually recovered from his wounds, adapted to his new surroundings, and started to gain the trust of his captors. All the while he was looking for an opportunity to escape.

One day, after about six months in captivity, tribe members returned to camp with several stolen ponies. Otis observed the horses and noticed one that was of a high breed and showed promise for speed and endurance. Otis cared for the horse, petting and feeding the animal. Eventually, they allowed him to ride the horse.

During one ride, Otis ventured out further than usual. Seizing the opportunity, he took off at top speed, riding furiously with his captors in close pursuit. Finally evading them, Otis rode hard for three days before finally clearing hostile territory.

In the distance, Otis saw smoke rising from the chimney of a small house. He shouted for joy, glad to finally be free. He approached the house and made his way to the door. After knocking, the door opened and there stood Susan Mary Payne, his love from Missouri. After the initial shock, Susan shared her story. She had married a Confederate officer, Joseph L. Robey, who was killed during the war. She was now living alone. Otis shared his story and the two happily reunited. They started to rebuild the relationship began so many years earlier in Missouri.

In 1870, Otis and Susan married and lived out their lives in Texas. Susan brought a daughter from her first marriage that Otis helped raised:

Mildred Leslie (Roby) Honeycutt (1866-1952)

Otis and Susan had the following children of their own:

Viola Susan Burton (1873–1963)

Delia Burton (1875-1933)

Otis Henry Burton (1876–1960)

Marcus Casius Burton (1878–1944)

Otis worked as a farmer to support his family. He passed away in 1898 at around 61 years old. His body is buried in the Bethel Cemetery in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas. Susan lived on until 1927 when she passed at about 82 years of age. Her body is buried next to Otis.

NOTE: Otis' surname is spelled as Burton and Halliburton in various records. I've followed Find a Grave's lead here.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6VH-319 : Fri Sep 15 19:57:37 UTC 2023), Entry for William J Halliburton and Clarissa Halliburton, 1850.

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M66Q-HSR : Sat Sep 16 00:26:26 UTC 2023), Entry for Robert Riddle and Susan Riddle, 1860.

• "Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FFB2-1PL : Wed Sep 27 17:13:23 UTC 2023), Entry for Otis H Burton, 1864.

• "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8Y-9HZQ : 10 March 2021), Otis H Burton and Susan Roby, 15 Mar 1870; citing Hunt, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,024,966.

• "United States Census, 1880", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNL-VCL : Mon Sep 18 07:53:52 UTC 2023), Entry for Otis Burton and Susan Burton, 1880.

• "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8S7-MFT : 8 March 2021), Otis Or Otis H Burton Or Halliburton, 1890; citing NARA microfilm publication M123 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 338,258.

• Find a Grave Memorial for Otis Henry Burton Sr. [1]

See Also:

• Reunited Against All Odds: A Civil War Love Story, The Fishwrap Newspaper blog, published in April 9, 2020, by Jenny Ashcraft [2]

• YouTube video "Coincidence or Miracle? The amazing tale of Otis Burton." [3]