Of the children of Bezaleel Barton, 2d, and Hannah (Powers) Barton, Levi Winter was b. March 1, 1818.
The father, a man of marked social qualities, and frank and genial in his bearing, died before the son had reached his majority, and previous to this business had taken the father from home, so that most of the responsibilities of the family rested upon the mother. But it is no idle pun upon her maiden name to say that she was a power in that household. She exercised a healthful and unchallenged discipline. Her intuitive vision saw every material necessity of the family; her unsurpassed executive capacity was equal to every demand; and, what is quite as essential to the formation of a symmetrical character, her moral and religious precepts and example compelled a recognition of the claims of God and man. The sick and the poor of her neighborhood were often greatly indebted to her for the wisdom of her counsels, the abundance of her alms-deeds, and the warmth of her sympathy. Universally venerated and esteemed, she died in Croydon, Sept. 14, 1881, aged 86 years.
Inheriting the best qualities of such an ancestry, molded and inspired by such a mother, and in boyhood acquiring his fiber in the severe but practical school of tireless industry, rigid economy, and heroic self-denial and self-reliance, we might anticipate for Mr. Barton a character and a career which would place him among the best and foremost citizens of his state, and entitle him to an important chapter in its history. We hazard nothing when we say that he has made that anticipation a reality, and that he has afforded us another conspicuous example of what the humblest may achieve under the fostering genius of republican institutions.
His district-school education, often interrupted by demands upon his manual labor, consisted of ten brief winter terms. At eighteen he assumed the responsibility of his own education and support. He had no money, but he had what is better, courage and muscle. He went to work. His books were always near by, so that, whenever there was a leisure moment, "the horny hands of toil" would grasp and his hungry mind would feast upon them. He would brook no discouragements. No hours were allowed to run to waste. Often on rainy days he would call on his old friend, John Cooper, Esq., to receive instruction. These efforts, supplemented by a term under Dr. Miner of Boston, qualified him to teach in the common schools. But for awile he devoted himself chiefly to farming.
At twenty-one he married Miss Mary A. Pike, one of Newport's worthiest young ladies. She died the next year, leaving an infant son, Col. Ira McL. Barton, now deceased. The death of his wife was a severe blow to one in whose nature the domestic element is so marked. With the light of his home gone out, and with his life-plan destroyed, he seemed almost paralyzed for a time. But the bent steel of his intense personality was sure to react. The second year after this bereavement he entered Kimball Union Academy, to pursue a classical course under that distinguished teacher, Dr. Cyrus Richards. Having but one hundred dollars when he entered, he was compelled to teach winters and to toil with his hands during the summer vacations; but his uncompromising zeal carried him successfully through the three years' course. We cannot repress our admiration for the young man whom neither bereavement nor poverty could crush, but who, in spite of the most disheartening circumstances, earns the right to stand in the front rank with his most brilliant competitors. This he did.
In the same spirit, and still relying upon his own exertions for means, he entered Dartmouth College in 1844, and honorably graduated in 1848. His oration, on graduation, was highly commended by the public journals of the day. At the commencement and close of the terms, he would make the journeys to and from college, twenty-one miles, on foot. During his senior year he studied law with Hon. Daniel Blaisdell of Hanover.
After graduating, Mr. Barton taught five terms in the Canaan Academy, and at the same time was a law student with Judge Kittredge. During this period he was appointed postmaster of Canaan. In the early part of 1851 he left Canaan, and completed his legal studies with Messrs. Metcalf & Corbin of Newport, and was there admitted to the bar in the July following. In 1854 he formed a law partnership with Hon. Ralph Metcalf, which continued until Mr. Metcalf was elected governor. He then became the law partner of Shepherd L. Bowers, Esq., with whom he was associated until 1859. Notwithstanding his extensive law practice, Mr. Barton has been engaged, to a considerable extent, in building, farming, stock-raising, and fruit-growing. No man with equal means has contributed more to the growth and permanent improvement of the village of Newport. None Have done more by their own personal industry to convert rough fields into attractive streets, luxuriant gardens, and pleasant homes. Taught from childhood to cultivate the soil, he has, all along through his busy life, found his highest enjoyment in turning aside from the turmoil of professional labors to the more genial occupation of agricultural pursuits.
As evidence of his superior legal abilities, and of the public esteem in which he is held, we point to the following record: He was register of deeds for Sullivan county from 1855 to 1857, inclusive; county solicitor from 1859 to 1864; representative to the state legislature in 1863, 1864, 1875, 1876, and 1877; and state senator in 1867 and 1868. During all these seven years of service in both houses, he was a member of the judiciary committee, and for five years its chairman. In 1866 he was chairman of the board of commissioners appointed to audit the war debt of the state. In 1876 he was a member of the convention which revised the state constitution; and was chosen Republican elector of president and vice-president of the United States. Gov. Harriman appointed him bank commissioner, but he declined the office. Gov. Prescott appointed him, in 1877, one of the commissioners to revise and codify the statutes of New Hampshire.
His many friends have fondly hoped to see him elected to congress. It is conceded that his abilities and his fidelity to important public trusts reveal his eminent fitness for such a position. But local divisions, for which he is in no way responsible, have thus far prevented his nomination. His name has come twice before the nominating conventions, and each time with a very flattering vote.