William E. Barton

The Rev. William Eleazar Barton (1861 to 1930) was one of the early 20th century's most prolofic authors and lecturers on the life of President Abraham Lincoln. Born at Sublette, Ill. when Lincoln became president, Barton grew up in an era influenced by great reverence toward Lincoln. After completeing undergraduate studies at Berea College in Kentucky, in 1890 he was awarded a divinity degree from the Oberlin Theological Seminary. Rev. Barton served in parishes in Tennessee, Ohio, and Massachusetts and then became pastor of the First Congregational Church of Oak Park, Ill, which position he kept until retirement in 1924. In 1928 Barton was appointed a lecturer at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and became pastor of the Collegeside Congregational Church there.