Hiram Rodney Burton (November 13, 1841 – June 17, 1927) was an American physician and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. A member of the Republican Party, Burton served two terms as Delaware's at-large U.S. Representative from 1905 to 1909.

Hiram R. Burton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1909
Preceded byHenry A. Houston
Succeeded byWilliam H. Heald
Personal details
Born(1841-11-13)November 13, 1841
Lewes, Delaware
DiedJune 17, 1927(1927-06-17) (aged 85)
Lewes, Delaware
Political partyRepublican
SpouseVirginia Rawlins
ResidenceLewes, Delaware
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania
ProfessionPhysician

Early life and family

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Burton was born in Lewes, Delaware. His mother was Ruth Hunn Rodney. He attended St. Peter's Academy at Lewes, taught for two years in the schools in Sussex County, and engaged in the dry goods business in Washington, D.C., from 1862 until 1865. Burton graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1868 and practiced medicine in Frankford, Delaware, from 1868 until 1872, when he moved back to Lewes.

Professional and political career

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From 1877 until 1888, Burton was the deputy collector of customs for the port of Lewes and was acting assistant surgeon in the Marine Hospital Service from 1890 until 1893. He ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate in 1898 and served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896, 1900, and 1908.

Burton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1904 and was reelected in 1906. During these terms, he served in the Republican majority in the 59th and 60th Congress, during the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt. He sought reelection in 1908 but lost his party's nomination to lawyer William H. Heald, who went on to win the general election and serve in Congress. Burton served two terms, from March 4, 1905, until March 3, 1909. After departing office, he resumed the practice of medicine in Lewes.

Death and legacy

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Hiram R. Burton's house in Lewes

Burton died at Lewes and is buried in the St. Paul's Episcopal Churchyard in Georgetown, Delaware. His home at Lewes is owned by the Lewes Historical Society and is open to the public.

Almanac

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Congressional elections were held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and had a two-year term.

Public offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office Notes
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1905 March 3, 1907
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1907 March 3, 1909
United States congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1905–1907 59th U.S. House Republican Theodore Roosevelt at-large
1907–1909 60th U.S. House Republican Theodore Roosevelt at-large
Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1904 U.S. Representative Hiram R. Burton Republican 23,512 54% Edward D. Hearne Democratic 19,552 45%
1906 U.S. Representative Hiram R. Burton Republican 20,210 53% David T. Marvel Democratic 17,118 45%
1912 U.S. Representative Hiram R. Burton Republican 5,497 11% Franklin Brockson
George Hall
Louis A. Drexler
Democratic
Republican
Independent
22,485
16,740
2,825
47%
35%
6%

References

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  • Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-20-6.

Images

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Places with more information

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Party political offices
First Progressive nominee for U.S. Senator from Delaware
(Class 1)

1916
Succeeded by
None
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large congressional district

1905–1909
Succeeded by