Burton, Clarence Monroe, 1853-1932

Detroit, Michigan, businessman and historian.

Clarence Monroe Burton was born on Nov. 18, 1853 in Whiskey Diggins, California to Charles and Ann Burton. The family moved to Hastings, Michigan, and he later attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the Law School in 1874. After marrying, he took a position at the law firm of John Ward and Eugene Skinner, later making partner. He later founded Burton Abstract and Title Company.

As an historical collector, Mr. Burton discovered historical and valuable documents throughout the Detroit area. His collection became so substantial, it took over his home at 27 Brainard Street, and when he purchased a new home on Boston Blvd., he deeded his private library, including the house on Brainard Street, to the Detroit Public Library. The former Burton residence was remodeled and opened to the public in 1915 as the Burton Historical Collection. When the Detroit Public Library opened its new building on Woodward Avenue in 1921, the collection was moved to the library.

Author, attorney, historian, and founder of the Burton Historical Collection.

Clarence Monroe Burton was born on November 18, 1853 in Whiskey Diggings, California, one of many mining towns in the area. His father, Charles Burton, had been a doctor in Battle Creek, Michigan when, in 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, and Dr. Burton decided to try his luck in the gold fields with his wife, Ann, and their young son, Charles. After a few years, the family came back to Michigan, where Dr. Burton practiced medicine again full-time in Hastings. Clarence grew up in Hastings, and attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the Law School in 1874. He married and had children before heading to Detroit for employment as an attorney. He found a position in the law firm of John Ward and Eugene Skinner, who were engaged in title searching and making abstracts of land titles. Clarence was put in charge of combing through family histories, vital records and other historical sources to find the in formation needed for the abstracts. This collection of historical data led to Mr. Burton's vast knowledge and appreciation of Detroit's history. In 1883, Clarence Burton was made a partner in the firm, and by 1891 he bought out the original owners' interest in the firm and organized the Burton Abstract and Title Company. As an historical collector, Mr. Burton discovered ancient and valuable documents throughout the Detroit area. His collection became so substantial, it took over his home at 27 Brainard Street, and when he purchased a new home on Boston Blvd., he deeded his private library, including the house on Brainard Street, to the Detroit Public Library. The former Burton residence was remodeled and opened to the public in 1915 as the Burton Historical Collection. When the Detroit Public Library opened its new building on Woodward Avenue in 1921, the collection was moved to the library.