John Albert Barton (Two Harbors, MN)
John Albert Barton (July 9, 1877 – November 18,1929)
Biography
Early life and family
John Albert Barton was born in Two Rivers, Morrison County, MN on July 9, 1877. His parents were Albert Alfred Barton, (Sr.) (1846-1903) and Albina Beatrice "Beata" (Trettel) Barton (1852-1926), both of whom were born in Prussia, Germany. Albert emigrated to the U.S. in 1873, Beata in 1874, and they were married in 1875. Albert was a farmer. John was the 2nd oldest of their 6 children, 2 boys and 4 girls.
John was educated in St. Cloud schools, and in 1899 was attending the Little Falls (MN) Business college.
On August 8, 1905, John A. Barton married Helen Henrietta Currer (1879–1954) in Two Harbors, MN. They had four children: John Currer Barton (1906-1950), who was a WWII veteran, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; Beatrice Helen Barton (1912-1929); Isabelle L. (Barton) Funch (1914-1991) (who married Erik E. Funch); and Audrey Claire (Barton) Barton (1921-2006) (who married Robert G. Barton).
Banking Career
In March of 1900, John A. Barton began his banking career as a bookkeeper for the Bank of Ely, MN.
In May-June 1902, John left the Bank of Ely, and became Assistant Cashier of the newly organized First National Bank of Two Harbors (Charter 6304).
In September 1905, the First National Bank of Two Harbors liquidated and re-organized as the First State Bank of Two Harbors. John Barton stayed on as Assistant Cashier of the new bank.
In June 1906, John A. Barton succeeded James D. Anderson as Cashier of the First State Bank when F.H. Wellcome, F.E. Kenaston (both from the Union Investment Company, Minneapolis), and others buy out J.D. Anderson's controlling interest in the bank. Barton served as Cashier of this bank until he became President in 1922.
In April 1911, John helped organize the Morrison County State Bank at Bowlus, MN with Vincent Schwientek, A.A. Reed and M.K. Knauff. The bank opened for business May 3, 1911, with an initial capital of $12,000. John A. Barton served as President of this bank from 1911 until his death in 1929. John's younger sister Minnie Barton was an Assistant Cashier with this bank.
In May 1920, John, with his younger brother Albert A. Barton (Jr.), Wm. O. Beattie and W.G. Lundquist (all 3 from Little Falls, MN), organized the Peoples State Bank of Little Falls, MN. The bank opened for business June 1, 1920, with an initial paid-up capital of $25,000. John served as President of this bank from 1920 until his death in November 1929. Albert Barton served as Cashier from 1920 to 1929. The Peoples State Bank of Little Falls was acquired by the First Bank Stock Corporation of Minneapolis on December 2, 1929, and then consolidated with the American National Bank of Little Falls on December 27, 1933.
In 1923, John helped organize the First National Bank in Two Harbors (Charter 12357) to succeed the First State Bank of Two Harbors. First National was chartered on April 17, 1923 with initial capital of $50,000. John A. Barton served as President of this bank from 1923 until his death in 1929.
In 1926, John A. Barton was named President of the First National Bank, Aurora, MN (Charter 11345), and served in that capacity until January 9, 1928 when that bank was absorbed by the First National Bank in Two Harbors.
Other career highlights
In May 1903, the McLeod Iron Company, was formed with a capital of $500,000 to develop iron lands near Two Harbors. John A. Barton was one of the stockholders, and owned one of the claims which would be developed.
In August 1903, the Two Harbors Savings and Loan Association was organized, and the following officers were appointed: Charles M. Floathe, president: M. O. Aubolee, vice-president; John A. Barton, secretary; James D. Anderson, treasurer.
In May 1905, John A. Barton was secretary and treasurer of the Lake County Land Company, which had just bought 1,800 acres of land near the village of Two Harbors.
Later life and death
By 1929, Barton had become a very successful businessman. He was well respected, and considered one of the wealthiest men in Two Harbors.
On November 18, 1929, John A. Barton committed suicide at the age of 52. The following is quoted from The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Brainerd, MN), November 18, 1929, p3:
2 FOUND SLAIN IN AUTOMOBILE
JOHN A. BARTON AND DAUGHTER OF TWO HARBORS ARE THE VICTIMS
Two Harbors, Minn., Nov. 18 John A Barton. 54-year-old Two Harbors bank president and his crippled mute daughter, Beatrice, 17 were found shot to death in an automobile near here early today, presumably a murder and suicide. Coroner T. J. Brown declared an inquest was unnecessary as Barton evidently had killed the child out of pity and then turned the revolver on himself. Barton was in good health and his financial affairs were believed to be in good order.
The father and daughter left home Sunday morning to attend church and when they failed to return Emil Nelson, county sheriff, was notified. John Hanson, policeman of Two Harbors, found the bodies early today, slumped together in the rear seat of an automobile. Each of the bodies had a bullet through the heart and a .45 caliber revolver was found in the car. Barton was known to have grieved since her birth over the physical and mental condition of the child. The grief was believed to have temporarily unbalanced him mentally.
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, John A. Barton was involved with the following banks:
- First National Bank of Two Harbors, MN (Charter 6304): Assistant Cashier 1903-1905
- First State Bank, Two Harbors, MN: President 1922; Cashier 1907-1921; Assistant Cashier 1906
- Morrison County State Bank, Bowlus, MN: President 1912-1929
- Peoples State Bank, Little Falls, MN: President 1920-1929
- First National Bank in Two Harbors, MN (Charter 12357): President 1923-1929
- First National Bank, Aurora, MN (Charter 11345): President 1926-1927
Sources
- Bio info from Ancestry.com, Findagrave.com and Newspapers.com (primarily the Little Falls Herald, Little Falls, MN)
- (See the Discussion tab at the top of this page for a detailed Bio timeline for John A. Barton with sources).
- Little Sketches of Big Folks, Minnesota 1907, p29.
- 2 Found Slain in Automobile, The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Brainerd, MN), November 18, 1929, p3.
- Mercy Murder Excites Town of Two Harbors, The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Brainerd, MN), November 19, 1929, p1.
- Findagrave.com: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/222958311/john-albert-barton
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project