Joseph Ralph Burton (1852 - 1923)

Born 16 Nov 1852 in Mitchell, Indiana, USA

Ancestors

Died 27 Feb 1923 at age 70 in Los Angeles, California, USA

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Preceded by Lucien Baker

Joseph R. Burton US Senator (Class 2) from Kansas[1] 1901—1906

Succeeded by Alfred W. Benson

Biography

Joseph R. Burton is Notable.

Joseph R Burton was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a United States Senator from Kansas. He was convicted of accepting brides and after the conviction, he resigned from the United States Senate.

Early Life

Joseph Burton was born on November 16, 1852, and raised on his father's farm near MItchell, Indiana. ^[2] He attended Franklin College (Franklin, Indiana) and DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana). Burton studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. ^[3]

On October 10, 1875, Joseph Ralph Burton married Carrie Sarah Mitchell, of Princeton, Indiana. ^[4]

Political Career

In 1878, Burton moved his law practice to Abilene, Kansas. In 1878, Burton was elected Kansas House of Representatives. He also served from 1882-1886. In 1893, Burton represented the state of Kansas on the World's Fair Columbian Commission at Chicago. ^[5]

Burton was elected to the United States Senate from the state of Kansas. He served from March 4, 1901, until June 4, 1906. ^[5] Burton served as Chairman of the Committee on Forest Reservations and Game Protection. ^[3]

On January 4, 1904, Burton was indicted for receiving money in return for interceding with the United States Postmaster General and the Chief Post Office Inspector in a mail fraud investigation of Rialto Grain and Securities Company. Burton was convicted and appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Court ruled in his favor. He was indicted a second time on more limited charges. He was convicted and again appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Court upheld his second conviction. After his conviction appeal was upheld, the United States Senate directed the Committee on Privileges and Elections to examine the Court's ruling and its affect on Senate membership. Burton resigned his seat in the Senate before the committee could issue its report. ^[6]

Later Life

Burton served 5 months in prison for his influence peddling conviction. After, Burton returned to Abilene, Kansas and was in the newspaper business. He later moved to California. Joseph Ralph Burton died on February 28, 1923, at Los Angeles, California. His ashes were deposited in the columbarium of the Los Angeles Crematory Association, ^[5] In 1928, his ashes were moved to the family cemetery in Abilene, Kansas. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Resigned when convicted of Bribery, vacant June 4, 1906 – June 11, 1906 when successor appointed.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7124990/joseph-ralph-burton: accessed 31 August 2023), memorial page for Joseph Ralph Burton (16 Nov 1852–27 Feb 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7124990, citing Abilene Cemetery, Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
4. ↑ Family Tree, database with images, FamilySearch.org, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Record for Joseph Ralph Burton, ID MP5Y-DQZ. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MP5Y-DQZ
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Kansas Historical Society, Kansas Memory of Joseph Ralph Burton. https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/443178
6. ↑ U.S. Senate Historical Office, United States Senate Election, Expulsion and Censure Cases: 1793-1990 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1995), pp. 275-276. https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/expulsion/092JosephBurton_expulsion.htm

See also: * Wikipedia: Joseph R. Burton

• Wikidata: Item Q5590677