George W. Burton

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. George W. Burton.

Born May 17, 1848, in South Carolina. A man who, by the time his story was done, had lived through a Confederate war, crossed into Texas, raised a family, and stood in the middle of some of the most turbulent moments in the history of this state. Let that sink in before we even get started.

Around 1880, Burton made his way to Rusk County, Texas. We don't know exactly what called him here, and the marker doesn't say. What it does say is that he put down roots and stayed.

He married Julia Savannah Palmer, born in 1846, and together they built a family, five sons and one daughter. Julia passed in 1925. George carried on until January 26, 1933.

Now, here's where the story picks up speed. In 1915, George W. Burton walked into the Texas House of Representatives.

He would serve three legislative terms, from 1915 to 1921, and friend, he did not sit quietly in the back row. During those years, Burton participated in the impeachment of Governor James Ferguson. He was part of mobilizin' the state for World War I.

And he helped bring about the creation of the State Highway Department. Three terms. Three seismic events.

Not bad for a man who started life in South Carolina and found his calling on the roads and in the halls of Rusk County, Texas.

What the marker says

(May 17, 1848 - Jan. 26, 1933) A native of South Carolina and a Confederate veteran, George W. Burton migrated to Rusk County, Texas, about 1880. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1915 to 1921. During his three legislative terms, he participated in the impeachment of Governor James Ferguson, mobilization for World War I, and creation of the State Highway Department. Burton married Julia Savannah Palmer (1846-1925). They had five sons and one daughter.