Barton, James H., 1837-1912

James H. Barton was born in Pennsylvania in 1837. He served in the Union army during the Civil War. After the war, Barton became a real estate developer in Little Rock, Ark., and Memphis, Tenn. In 1889, Barton moved to Virginia and founded a real estate development on a site a north of Richmond in Henrico County that became known as Barton Heights. Barton was so successful that in less than six years Barton Heights had been incorporated as a town in Henrico County. Due to a depressed economy and poor financial decisions, Barton had a difficult time repaying loans he owed. Hounded by creditors and allegations of financial improprieties, Barton and his wife Elizabeth fled Virginia in Feb. 1896. Barton died in Chester, Pa., in 1912.

From the description of J.H. Barton letter, 1880 Jan. 28. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 636675909

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