Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Burton Foote
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
BURTON FOOTE Among the younger residents of Clay County, who may yet be classed among its pioneers, is he whose name initiates this sketch, and who now owns and occupies a farm on section 30, Blaine Township. He became a resident of this county when but sixteen years of age, and for a number of years worked as a farm hand, hoarding his resources until able to begin agricultural life for himself. In the spring of 1878 he settled upon the 160 acres which he now occupies and upon which he has made good improvements, the whole forming an attractive and pleasant rural home.
The paternal ancestry of our subject were Scotch, and both his parents were natives of Nova Scotia, he himself having been born in King's County of that Province, Aug. 17, 1853. He was about thirteen years old when his parents, John L. and Clara (Webster) Foote became residents of the United States, locating in Walworth County, Wis. After a residence there of about three years they came to Kansas, settling in Ottawa County, where the mother died in the fall of 1878, the father surviving until June 1, 1888, when he departed this life.
John L. Foote had been twice married and was the father of nine children, of whom eight now survive: Irena is the wife of Martin Low, of Dickinson County, Kan.; Zeruah married A. F. Shaber, of this county; the next in order of birth is our subject; John resides in Johnson County, Kan., as does Robert also; Clara is the wife of W. E. Scott, and lives in Ellis County. Kan.; Emma and George reside in Ottawa County. Mr. Foote came to Kansas a poor man, and endured many of the hardships suffered by the early settlers here, acquiring a reputation among his fellow-citizens of Ottawa County, as a man of public spirit and upright character.
Burton Foote, the subject of this biography, received more limited educational privileges than are afforded the youth of the present time, but made the best of those offered him and used his native intelligence in acquiring the information which is always to be obtained outside the walls of the school-room, and in keeping himself well informed as to current events and general topics. After coming to this county he was for about live years in the employ of the Dexter Bros., farmers and stock-raisers of Clay Center, during the last three years of which time he acted as their foreman. Though still young in years he has not only witnessed much of the growth of the county but has assisted in the labors of frontier life.
At the home of the bride's parents, on Nov. 14, 1877, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Foote and Miss Mary, daughter of James M. Shaw, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Foote has resulted in the birth of four children: Clara Maude was born April 28. 1879; Marshall Shaw, Dec. 5, 1880; John L., June 22, 1883; and Austin A., July 2, 1885. They are being carefully reared by their estimable mother, and both parents take a warm interest in their growth in intelligence, good breeding and education.
Mr. Foote is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Mrs. Foote belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is an attendant. Among their fellow-citizens they are held in high repute for their many fine traits of character, their hospitality, and their desire for the improvement of society in all that makes the best citizenship.