Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/238

1891-'92 the American Red Cross society took an active part, under the direction of Miss Barton, in the great work of relief, collecting and distributing supplies of food and clothing. In January, 1896, Miss Barton, after making a personal appeal to the people of the United States and England for funds, sailed for the scene of the Armenian outrages. Reaching Constantinople in February, she, with her five assistants, immediately began work, the Sultan having yielded a reluctant consent to her request that the Red Cross society be permitted to do what it could to relieve the distress existing in his empire. She was required to place the crescent above the cross on the badge worn by herself and her associates, and having acceded to this demand, she met with prompt and courteous assistance from the Turkish government. Her task ended, she left Turkey and proceeded on a visit to Germany, returning to America in October, 1896. In June, 1896, she was decorated with the Order of Melusine by his Royal Highness, Guy de Lusignan, Prince of Jerusalem, Cyprus and Armenia. Miss Barton accumulated a collection of rich jewels presented in token of appreciation of her noble efforts. She received a handsome jewel from the Duchess of Baden, a medal and jewel from the Empress of Germany, a decoration of gems from the Queen of Servia, and a brooch and pendant of diamonds given as a loving tribute by the grateful people of Johnstown for her assistance in their time of need. She represented the United States in international conferences held in Europe to discuss measures of relief in war. She was prominent in the wars with Spain, taking charge of hospitals and nurses in Cuba, 1898, and conducted the relief work at Galveston, Texas, in 1900. She is the author of "History of the Red Cross Association" (1883); "American Relief Expedition to Asia Minor" (1896); "History of the Red Cross in Peace and War" (1898).

BARTON, David, senator, was born about 1785 and was one of the immigrants to Missouri territory, coming from Waco county, Ky. He was president of the convention that met July 19, 1820, to form a constitution for Missouri and he was elected U.S. senator from the new state with Thomas H. Benton, drawing the short term. He was re-elected in 1824, his second term expiring March 3, 1831. He died at Boonerville, Mo., Sept. 28, 1837.

BARTON, Edmund Mills, librarian, was born in Worcester, Mass., Sept. 27, 1838, son of Ira M. and Maria W. (Bullard) Barton. He was educated at the Valentine hoarding school, Northborough. Mass., followed mercantile pursuits in Boston, St. Louis and New York, and in 1863 engaged in hospital work in the Army of the Potomac. He visited Gen. John A. Dix and accompanied him upon his expedition to Bottom Bridge, near Richmond. The battle of Gettysburg called him at once to that field for hospital work, and there he was commissioned field relief agent of the United States sanitary commission under the authority of the secretary of war, and was assigned to the care of the 5th army corps, army of the Potomac. This position he held until the end of the war, accompanying the surgical staff of the Maltese cross corps on all general movements and special raids. He returned to Worcester about July 1, 1865, where, after some months of travel, he entered the service of the American antiquarian society as assistant librarian, April 1, 1866. On April 24, 1883, he was unanimously elected librarian to succeed Samuel Foster Haven, who for forty-three years had held the position with distinguished honor. For his literary work see "Bibliography of the Works of Members of the American Historical Association," of which he was a life member, as he also was of the American antiquarian society, of the American library association, and of the Massachusetts library club.

BARTON, Thomas, clergyman, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1730. He was educated at the University of Dublin, immigrated to the United States, and settled himself as tutor in the academy at Philadelphia, afterwards the University of Pennsylvania. He went to England in 1754 for ordination, and after taking orders returned to America and became rector of the St. James Episcopal church, Lancaster, Pa., which cure he held for over nineteen years. He married Miss Rittenhouse, a sister of the celebrated astronomer and mathematician. Unwilling to take the oath of allegiance after the declaration of independence, he removed to New York, where he died May 25, 1780.

BARTON, William, soldier, was born at Warren, Bristol county, R.I., May 26, 1748. He acquired a rudimentary education, was apprenticed to a hatter, and entered into business for himself. He served in the Continental army after the battle of Bunker Hill, and in December entered formally as a corporal, soon gaining the rank of captain, and in July, 1777, he fixed upon a feasible plan for surprising and taking captive General Prescott. Ascer-