HISTORY
Hiram Barton
was born in Hebron, New York on May 20, 1810. He attended Middlebury
College in Vermont, where he studied law.
In 1835 Barton moved to Buffalo
, and soon after, formed a partnership with Daniel Lockwood.
"He rarely appeared in the courts, but was deservedly
esteemed as a counselor in the business of his clients."
In 1843 Barton was elected alderman of the Third
Ward, and again in 1844.
The local election for mayor in 1845 featured Democrat
Joseph Masten
against Whig
candidate Barton. Masten had been mayor two years prior and
the people voted him back into office by a vote of 1,837
to 1,538. Barton was not one to give up though. Two years
later, in 1847, he was again elected alderman of the Third
Ward.
The Whig
meeting to nominate local candidates was held on February 28,
1849. Hiram Barton
was the Whig
choice for Mayor and Charles T. Shattuck for Justice of the
Peace. The Locofoco
party had split into two factions, the Barnburners
and the Hunkers
Thompson Hersee was the Barnburner candidate and Elijah
Ford
was the Hunker candidate.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
Local Elections were held on March 7, 1849. Hiram
Barton
decidedly defeated both opposing candidates, Thompson and Ford,
by a vote of 2,511 to 1,855 to 481, respectively. The Whigs
once again dominated the local election, carrying the majority
of the offices.
On March 13, 1849 the old Council held its last meeting.
After thanking outgoing Mayor Allen, a committee was named
to wait upon Mayor-elect Barton. When the committee returned
with Barton, Mayor Allen administered the oath of office
and Barton was conducted to his seat. After the Aldermen
were sworn in, Mayor Barton
delivered his inaugural speech.
"Gentlemen of the Common Council
:
"In entering upon the discharge of the duties
of the office of Mayor of this city to which I have been
elected by the free suffrage of the legal voters thereof,
I should not correctly represent my own feelings were I
at this time and upon this occasion to fail to acknowledge
my profound sense of the honor which was so generously conferred
upon me.
"I assume gentlemen, the responsibilities of
the trusts which the partialities of my fellow citizens
have confided to me with much difference. All I can promise
is that in discharging the responsible duties of my office
I shall endeavor to devote my time and my best energies
to the public interests with fidelity.
"I cannot expect to attain any considerable
degree of success, gentlemen, without your confidence and
the aid of your cooperation.
"I have been a member of this Council as an
Alderman two years, in 1844 and 1847, and whilst I entertain
a deep sense of my own responsibilities as the executive
officer of this city, I cannot be unmindful of your official
responsibilities."
Hiram Barton
took the offices of Mayor and Alderman very seriously, and felt
all involved should not break the trust that the voting
citizens placed upon them
As with previous mayors, Barton knew the citizens
wanted taxes
as low as possible. He requested the city comptroller to provide
a balanced statement of the city's finances, if possible,
so they could decide if taxes could be lowered or at least
maintained.
"The amount to be applied annually for the support
of public schools is discretionary with the Council, and
while parsimony would be deprecated by our citizens, they
expect economy in the expenditures of that department...Great
interest is also felt in the improvement of the harbor.
It will give me the highest pleasure to cooperate with you
in all measures to aid and facilitate this work for the
commercial business of the city, which does not involve
unjust or undue taxation."
Mayor Barton
also feared that the cholera may return to Buffalo
, as it did twice before. Preparations were made to hopefully
"prevent in every way the introduction and prevalence
of that disease."
Mayor Barton
had not been seated but two months when the cholera returned
"in its most malignant form." "The brunt
of the plague fell upon Mayor Barton
and his Board of Health." It was composed of Barton, seventeen
inspectors, and Health Physician Dr. Josiah Barnes,,
grandfather
of future Mayor George S. Buck
There were 134 cases and 51 deaths reported by May 31. Despite
the "vigorous action on the part of the Board of Health,
headed by...Dr. Josiah Barnes, the fatal disease spread
mourning and anxiety" throughout the city. From the
initial outbreak until September, a total of 3,000 cases
were reported and 900 deaths.
"If Buffalo
had heeded the suggestions of former mayors, the cholera epidemic
would never have laid the city low." Nearly ten percent
of the population was stricken and three per cent died within
a period of four and a half months.
During 1849 petitions began springing up around the
country to inform the Federal government that the people
wanted "cheap postage."
In January 1850 the Common Council
petitioned the state Legislature for amendments to the city
charter. Included, was to change the term of elected aldermen
to two years instead of one. The Comptroller also recommended
a Board of Auditors for the city.
Barton did not seek a second term in 1850, although
he was nominated by the Whigs.
At the Council meeting of March 12, 1850, Barton
received the thanks and praise of the Council for his term
in office. Afterward, he addressed the Council:
"I tender to you my grateful acknowledgment
for the compliment contained in the resolution you have
adopted.
"The events of the past year have devolved upon
the Common Council
many duties of more than ordinary delicacy and responsibility.
"In the closing of our official relations, I
wish to express to each of you, gentlemen, my most ardent
desire for your future happiness and prosperity."
Now ex-Mayor Barton
administered the oath of office to newly elected Mayor Henry
K. Smith
and stepped down.
In 1852 Mr. Barton accepted the Whig
nomination for mayor, "concluding to stand his hand."
In order to spark his campaign, Justus Spertzell, a well
known local candy maker made peppermint sticks with "Barton"
in red letters running the length of each stick. "The
name made the goods popular."
The local election occurred on March 2, 1852. The
Whigs triumphed for the last time in Buffalo
The previous term was led by a Democratic Mayor, James Wadsworth
, who did not run for re-election. The turnout was strong
from both parties, but Barton defeated Locofoco
candidate William Williams
2,879 to 2,711 by receiving votes from the "Wooley heads"
and the "Silver Greys."
The Whigs elected included, a Police Justice, Police
Magistrate, seven of ten aldermen, including ex-Mayor Orlando
Allen
"The Whigs have swept the city" was an editorial
after the election.
As the Buffalo
Daily Courier stated in an editorial after his election: "He
has served one term in the mayoralty...after which Mr. Barton
showed his usual prudence and good sense in retiring from
public service and in not asking for a reelection upon the
merits of his administration."
The Common Council
met on March 9, 1852 to close session and begin with the new
Council and mayor. Two aldermen were appointed to wait on
Mayor-elect Barton. After Mayor Barton
was sworn in by ex-Mayor Wadsworth
, he administered the oath of office to the new aldermen,
then addressed the Council.
After basically the same speech he gave his first
term, he gave some insight into the types of affairs he
wanted to conduct during this term. "The financial
interests of the city are among the most important to be
affected by your official action...The city taxes
have become too onerous and a reduction is not only in desirable
but practicable."
He believed that by "strict scrutiny" in
incurring public obligations, a substantial savings could
result. He again mentioned his desire for good schools on
a strict budget. "I also approve of embellishing, to
a reasonable extent, the grounds around public school
houses. It is ornamental to the city and must have a happy influence
upon the pupils.
"I shall take special interest in the Police
of the city and bespeak your cooperation in my efforts to
promote its usefulness." He also mentioned that he
hoped the Fire Department
would continue "as the just pride of the city."
The salaries of city officials, which were raised
during Locofoco
rule, were sustained.
During Barton's second term in 1852, the city ran
relatively the same as it did his first term.
At the end of Barton's second term, March 8, 1853,
he addressed the Council for the last time. "The business
of the Council for the year ending this day, is closed and
I do not propose to detain you with any extended remarks.
As to the manner in which that business has been done, the
people will have already formed their own opinions."
He then appointed two aldermen to wait upon Mayor-elect
Eli Cook
Upon Cook's arrival, he administered the oath of office,
and his term was expired.
PERSONAL LIFE
After leaving office Barton continued in his law
practice until about 1875, when he retired.
"As a lawyer Hiram Barton
held high rank and was deservedly respected and esteemed by
the members of that profession. Socially he was a man of
high culture, great courtesy and genial disposition."
Hiram Barton
married Lucy Ann Clark of Buffalo
in 1840, and they had two daughters. The Barton residence was
at 195 Franklin Street, "one of the best types left
of the early substantial residences reared in Buffalo
by its ambitious early settlers." Granite steps, hand-carved
pilasters, and wrought iron railings encompassed the outside,
while hard carved woodwork and mahogany doors decorated
the inside. "Many cultured men and women...visited
the Barton home and read books from its library, the shelves
of which were lined with books of the masters of literature."
Mrs. Barton was an active citizen in the community.
She was a member of the Old Settlers Society and a one-time
president. Additionally, she served as president of the
Unitarian Aid Society, which sent the first box of clothing
that was received at Washington during the Civil War
for wounded soldiers.
In February 1852 Mr. Barton became a life member
of the Young Men's Association
by paying $50 for dues.
Barton died on Tuesday, February 10, 1880 at his home.
He was apparently in excellent health when he experienced
an attack of apoplexy, from which he never recovered. He is
buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
.
