Before someone jumps in here to correct me on this man's name, who I also have seen listed as Joseph Wisdom Burton, let me state, that this is not my research, it is simply the obituary, as it was written, in the newspaper of that date. I assume the paper got the information from a family member, but that is just my assumption. I'll let those of you who have him in your direct line, decide which name you want to accept as accurate. With that said, here it is. It's very long, very detailed, and a jewel of an obituary. Wish he was mine. Kathy Bowlin >From "The Higbee News" dated 13 Jan 1911--JOSEPH WOOLFOLK BURTON--The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby county, Ky, on June 1, 1816, and died at his home in Higbee on January 4, 1911, aged 94 years, seven months and four days. His father was a Virginian by birth, but moved with the family to Kentucky when but six years of age. Here he grew to man's estate and served his country with distinction as a soldier in the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was married to Miss Nancy Woolfolk, a daughter of one of the state's proud families. With his wife and son, Joseph, he came to Missouri in 1819, entering as his homestead a large tract of land which now joins Higbee on the south. Missouri was a territory in those days, and with the exception of a white family here and there, was inhabited chiefly by Indians and wild animals. The nearest neighbor for a long time was Nicholas Dysart, whose farm was five miles away, being located just west of what is now Yates. There was no telephones, trains or mail service in those days, and a trip to the neighbors' was like a trip around the world to the children, and was not without its dangers, the "road" being nothing but a blazed trail through a virgin forest. While such a life had it's hardships it also had its pleasures, and many are the days when "Uncle" Joe, as he was familiarly known in later years, brought down deer and other game on almost every acre of what is now Higbee. It was the days of the old fashioned, large roomed house and fireplaces with their crackling flames from hickory wood, which gave a cheer and comfort and an air of peace and contentment that the homes of these latter days, with all their conveniences, cannot supply. Being reared in such a home, with plenty on every hand, it isn't to be wondered at that Mr. Burton did not go in for modern things. With the exception of a few repairs now and then, the house stands to-day practically as it has stood since his first child was born, and one of the pleasant sights of the home, to us at least, was the trusty old deer rifle hung over the door on the opposite side of the room from the fireplace. Mr. Burton was twice married, his first wife being Miss Orpha J. Brooks, formerly of Kentucky. To this union five children were born, viz: May W, Susan Agnes, Ben W, Thos. W, Speed, Irene and Barton W, the second and last named dying in infancy. The others, with the exception of Irene who died about three years ago, are living, the eldest being 72 years old. Following the death of his wife in 1852 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Pyle, daughter of Byrd Pyle, also from Kentucky. They were the parents of eleven chidren, viz: Mrs. Laura Settle, Toleman, Mrs. Binda Tymony, Byrd, Henderson W, Medley, J. Richard, Jefferson, Woolfolk, Mrs. Gavella Crew and Mrs. Annie Williams. All are living with the exception of Mrs. Tymony, Woolfolk and Jefferson, the latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Burton died some six years ago. Mr. Burton was a great lover of his home, never being satisfied to be away, and during his 91 years in Missouri it is safe to say that 90 of them were spent on the old homestead. In 1850, hearing of the fabulous fortunes being made in the California gold fields, he joined a party of adventurers and as captain of teamsters, struck out for the land of the setting sun, where he eventually arrived safely after many hardships in plain, desert and mountain, and danger from roving Indians and other things incident to such a trip. He did well in the mines, but the love of home and family was stronger than his love for gold and adventure and he returned by way of Panama and New Orleans, arriving home on Christmas day. This with a short time with Gen. Price in the Confederate army, was the only time he ever spent away from home. The Burton home, since its establishment by the elder Burton in 1816, has ever been noted as one of open hearted hospitality. No one was ever turned away from the door hungry, and Mr. Burton and family were happiest when the house was full of company, which was generally all the time. If they could be counted, it would be found that thousands could testify from personal experience to Uncle Joe's hospitality. The home was an ideal one, and the latch string was always on the outside. No better man ever lived among us than Uncle Joe, and all who knew him feel a personal loss and regret his departure, even though they realized that in his enfeebled and helpless old age death was a welcome relief to him, and a visitor he had hoped for for several years. He was a truly Christian gentlemen, a consistent member of the Christian church, and lived his christianity in his every day life. We had the pleasure of knowing him for twenty-five years, and never heard aught against him in any way, but on the contrary always heard him spoken of by all in terms of veneration and respect. Funeral services were held at the home Saturday at 11 o'clock a.m. by Eld. A. N. Lindsey of Clinton. Although the day was cold, the house and yard were filled with relatives, friends and acquaintances from far and near, who came to pay the last tribute of respect to one they loved for his sterling worth and upright life. With six of his grandsons acting as pall bearers, the tenement of clay that had housed a noble spirit and withstood the shocks and blasts of almost a hundred years, was conveyed to the family burying ground on the old homestead and lovingly and tenderly laid to rest by the side of his loved ones who had gone on before. Besides the children, he leaves forty-four grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren, and a brother, Judge May M, now in his 89th year.