My 2nd Great-GrandUncle, Stephen Burton passed away 118 years ago, on November 16, 1905, in Murphysboro IL. He was 76 years old, and as a Civil War Vet, probably felt as if he’d lived several lifetimes.
Stephen was the oldest child of Jabez and Sarah/Sally (Pate) Burton. He was born in October of 1829, in rural Smith County TN. His little sister Luvisa, is my 2nd Great Grandmother. They were 19 years apart. The Burton’s left middle TN for Southern IL some time between 1840 and 1848. They were still in Smith County for the 1840 census, but we know that Luvisa (the last child) was born in Golconda IL, in June of 1848. In the 1850 census, they were farming and living in rural Hardin County IL.
On August 15, 1853, 23 year old Stephen married 15 year old Nancy Elizabeth Fletcher in Saline County IL. She had been born and raised there. They would go on to have 7 children, but only 4 would survive to adulthood.
In 1860, the family was living in Mulkeytown IL (Franklin County), and farming. That all changed when Stephen enlisted in the Union Army on August 13, 1862. He served as a Private in Company B and D of the 89th IL Infantry. He’s noted as being 5’8” tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.
After being mustered into service, Stephen was in battles at Lawrenceburg KY, Perryville KY, and finally at the Battle of Stone’s River in Murfreesboro TN at the end of December 1862. After Stone’s River, his regiment remained at Murfreesboro until June 1863. According to his records, when the regiment roll was taken in September of 63, he’s noted as having been in a convalescent camp in Murfreesboro since June of 63. He would remain there (and in Nashville) for the rest of the War. In February 1864, he was transferred to a Veteran Reserve Corp. One reason for the transfer was due to a hernia. In his pension records, it states that he “contracted a rupture on left side”, and that “the said disease was caused by exposure while doing duty as a soldier.” They also believed that mumps contributed to the “rupture”. He was mustered out of service at Nashville, on June 30, 1865.
While Stephen may or may not have felt lucky about his circumstances and staying in one place for so long during the War… we can look back and see that his health condition may have saved his life. His regiment participated in big battles while he was trying to heal. They were at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. All are well known battles.
Upon coming home to IL, Stephen became a merchant of some sort. They still lived in Mulkeytown at that time. The 1870 census states he was a merchant with a real estate value of $1000, and a personal estate value of $2000. That’s pretty big money for that time. Listed near him on the census are doctors, a miller, carpenters, a druggist, an engineer and a blacksmith.
In the 1880 census, Stephen’s a dry goods merchant. The family had moved to Cave Township (still Franklin County) by then. In the 1900 census, they were living in Murphysboro IL. There’s no occupation for Stephen. Their home was at 1903 Pine Street, which today is where the Immanuel Lutheran School is located.
Stephen’s death certificate doesn’t give a specific location of death, just the town. It says he died at 4:35AM, with cause of death being heart disease and rheumatism. He is buried in Tower Grove Cemetery in Murphysboro.
Pictures:
1850 census
1853 marriage record
Artwork of convalescent camps around Murfreesboro TN
1875 Franklin County IL map
1899 signature on pension application
Headstone in Tower Grove Cemetery
