Burton, John E. (John Edgar), 1847-1930.

Burton, a Lake Geneva, Wisconsin businessman and mining financier, was a collector of Lincolniana.

From the description of [Scrapbooks of the Lincoln assassination and trial of the conspirators], 1865-[1902?] (bulk 1865). (Fisk University). WorldCat record id: 39824494

Burton, a Lake Geneva, Wisconsin businessman and mining financier, was originally from New York. He came to Lake Geneva in 1870, and after teaching school and running a newspaper, began investing in various businesses and industry. Working from his office in Milwaukee, Burton invested heavily in mining. In 1885 he started iron and copper mining operations in the Gogebic Range in northern Wisconsin and Michigan. He was also involved in gold and crystal mining in California, silver mining in Colorado and Mexico, and tin mining in Alaska.

Burton's businesses made him a millionaire. His hobby was collecting Abraham Lincoln books, manuscripts, and memorabilia, of which he amassed a huge collection. In the late 1890s Burton's mining businesses failed. He eventually lost his fortune and was forced to sell his collection of Lincolniana.

From the description of Papers, 1853-1917 (bulk 1879-1917). (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 28372693