Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Borton, Jesse D.

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Jesse D. Borton (p 873)

This influential and trusted official of Webster Township, Wayne County, is deserving of special mention in the annals of this region. He comes of good old Welsh stock, and the family to which he belongs has been identified with the Society of Friends for generations, and from them he has doubtless inherited many of his sterling traits of character.

His father, Eber Borton, now the oldest resident of Webster Township, was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, June 19, 1815, a descendant of one of three brothers who came from Wales in early day to the United States. When he was a young man Eber Borton was a sailor, plying his vocation on various ships in the coasting trade along the Delaware, Hudson, Potomac, James and Mississippi rivers. Finally he left his ship at New Orleans and came to Indiana, taking up his abode in Webster Township and engaging in agricultural pursuits. In this new occupation he met with success, as he was a man of good judgment and indefatigable in his labors. From 1850 to 1860 he lived in Iowa, and from 1861 to 1864 he resided in Ohio; but with the exception of these periods he has been a resident of this township ever since his first settlement here. He continued to lead an active life until 1894, when, feeling the weight of years to some extent, he retired, and is now enjoying the fruits of his former years of toil, his home being in the vicinity of his son, Jesse D. Borton. He has been noted for his ardent patriotism at all times. While the Civil War was in progress he served as a volunteer in the Eighth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, being mustered out at the close of the great conflict. Later he was one of the charter members of Thomas Cox Post, G. A. R., besides which he has been associated with Webster Lodge, No. 371, I. O. O. F.

On the 5th of October, 1848, a marriage ceremony united the fortunes of Eber Borton and Cynthia Roberts. She was born May 17, 1831, a daughter of Walter and Hannah (Johnson) Roberts, prominent citizens of Webster Township, Wayne County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Borton was blessed with the following named children: William Arthur, born July 15, 1849; James T., born September 23, 1850, and died February 13, 1868; Mary, now the widow of Samuel Mendenhall, born June 23, 1852; Charles, born September 27, 1854, died November 19, 1855; Jesse D., born September 26, 1856, and Harvey R., born January 17, 1859.

As noted, the subject of this sketch, Jesse D. Borton, was born about forty-three years ago and is consequently in the prime of manhood. He received no educational advantages save such as the country schools afforded; but he possessed an observing mind and has acquired an extensive amount of information upon all subjects of general importance. He was but a year old when brought from Iowa, his native state, to this township, and here he has spent the greater share of his life. Reared upon a farm, he became thoroughly familiar with the duties of an agricultural career, but has always evinced a marked liking for merchandising. In 1888 he bought out the business of Charles R. Unthank in the village of Webster, and has since successfully conducted this enterprise.

Politically he is a stanch Republican, and during the administration of President Harrison he was appointed to the position of postmaster of Webster; and his wife also received an appointment as postmistress, entering upon her duties as such on New Year's Day, 1898. For the past five years he has been a trustee of Webster Township, and during this period many enterprises greatly accruing to the benefit of this community have been carried through, under his supervision, such as the placing of steel culverts and arches where needed at the intersection of roads and streams, the improvement of the local school system and the amelioration of other affairs of importance. Mr. Borton has creditably filled numerous offices in the lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, of which he is a member; and he is moreover affiliated with the Masonic order. For a period of ten years --- 1885 to 1895 --- he was the secretary of Webster Lodge, No. 371, I. O. O. F.

The marriage of Jesse D. Borton and Miss Hattie Morgan took place in Centerville, Indiana, August 18, 1881, and their only child, Frank R., was born in August, 1883. Mrs. Borton is a daughter of Joseph and Louisa (Thomas) Morgan, respected citizens of Centerville.