Charles J. Barton
Charles J. Barton | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1906 | |
| Preceded by | Sidney H. Buttrick |
| Succeeded by | Eugene H. Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 21, 1855 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 28, 1923 (aged 68) Melrose, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
Charles James Barton (August 21, 1855 – September 28, 1923) was an American politician who was the mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts in 1906 and the Democratic Party nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1908.
Early life
Barton was born in Boston on August 21, 1855.[1] He was educated in the Boston Public Schools and spent thirty years working for Charles & Moody & Co., a Boston wholesale grocery business.[2]
Politics
In 1880, Barton moved to Melrose, Massachusetts.[1] He served on the town's board of selectmen in 1899 and when it switched to a city form of government the following year, served on its first board of aldermen.[2] In the 1905 mayoral election, he defeated incumbent Sidney H. Buttrick by 23 votes.[1] He was the first Democrat to serve as Mayor of Melrose.[2] He ran for reelection on a Citizens' ticket, but lost to alderman Eugene H. Moore by 42 votes.[3]
At the 1908 state Democratic convention, Barton, Roger Sherman Hoar, and William P. Hayes made up the committee which reported the nomination for all offices except for governor. United Textile Workers of America president John Golden was beleived to be the frontrunner to be the party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor. However, opposion from his hometown of Fall River, Massachusetts (led by Mayor John T. Coughlin) and E. Gerry Brown's defeat for the gubernatorial nomination led Golden to announce that he would not accept a spot on the ticket. This left Barton, who was nominated by Hoar and Hayes, unopposed.[4] Barton lost the general election to Republican Louis A. Frothingham 57% to 34%.[5]
In 1914, Barton was appointed to the Metropolitan Park Commission by Governor David I. Walsh.[6] He served on the commission from August 24, 1914 to May 7, 1919.[7]
Personal life and death
Barton was exalted ruler of the Melrose Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodge and was president of the state association from 1919 to 1920.[2] [8] He was also a member of Hugh de Payens Commandery of the Knights Templar, the Wyoming Lodge of the Freemasons, and Melrose Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and president of the Melrose Athletic Club.[2]
Barton died on September 28, 1923 at his home in Melrose. He was survived by his wife and a daughter.[2]
References
- ^ a b c "Sketches of the Candidates". The Boston Globe. October 2, 1908.
- ^ a b c d e f "Charles J. Barton". New England Grocer and Tradesman: 4. October 5, 1923. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "A Day Of Surprises". Boston Evening Transcript. December 12, 1906. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Vahey Named For Governor, Barton Gets Second Place". The Boston Globe. October 2, 1908.
- ^ Number of assessed polls, registered voters and persons who voted in each voting precinct in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the state, city and town elections. 1910. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Nominations Confirmed". The Boston Globe. August 20, 1914.
- ^ Report of the Board of Metropolitan Park Commissioners. 1920. p. 15. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Past Presidents" (PDF). Elks Association of Massachusetts. Retrieved 12 March 2026.