Herbert W. Barton

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, p. 268.
Submitted by Mike Miller

Herbert W. Barton, sugar planter and refiner, Houma, La., whose success and general ability as manager of a sugar plantation is widely known, now resides four miles southeast of Houma, on Wood Lawn plantation, consisting of 3,500 acres, and one of the, most beautiful in this part of the state. It was formerly the property of James Cage, a prominent citizen of this parish, and although it was considered then one of the finest plantations, many and vast improvements have been made since Mr. Barton became manager.

This gentleman was born in Assumption Parish, La., November 29, 1858, and the son of Elijah D. and Clara P. (Smith) Barton, natives of Tennessee and Maine respectively. The elder Barton resides it St. James Parish, on St. Claire Sugar plantation, thirteen miles below Donaldsonville. Mr. Barton came to Assumption Parish when a young man, or in 1839, from his native state, and there made his home until 1882, when he moved to St. James parish. He has been a very successful planter, and is a man of energy and thoroughness, qualities which can not fail of success.

His wife, mother of subject, died in 1872, and since that time he has been married twice. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics is identified with the democratic party. His first wife, Miss Clara Smith, came to Louisiana on a visit to a friend, and while here married Mr. Barton. The fruits of this union were seven children--six sons and one daughter: Carroll (a prominent planter of Assumption parish), E. H. (planter of St. James and Assumption parishes), Herbert W. (subject), Norwood E. (was accidentally killed while hunting when a boy of twelve), Clarence C., planter in Assumption parish, Walter I. (planter of Assumption parish), and Effie L. (who is with her father). Herbert W. Barton received a common-school education in Assumption parish, and then took a commercial course at Baton Rouge.

After this he commenced his career as a planter with his brother and Samuel Kennedy. In 1889 he came to Terre Bonne Parish and purchased Wood Lawn plantation. The last year Mr. Barton made 1,800,000 pounds of sugar, and is one of the most successful planters of the parish. He was married in 1882 to Miss Oena Kittredge, of Assumption parish, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one son and three daughters. Like his father, Mr. Barton is a member of the Episcopal church, and is vestry man in the same. He is a democrat in politics.

Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, being dictator in the last named order.