The Barton Family has made a profound impact
The Bartons have been serving this community for over 137 years with their lumber, hardware and community service
It began with William Barton
Pictured:William and his wife, Florence
William was raised in Iowa and fought in the Civil war. After the war, he made his way west looking for work. He met Joseph Stallings and was hired to work on the Stalling Saw Mill. He was such a hard-working young man. Joseph's beautiful daughter Florence fell in love & married. In 1871 they homesteaded a quarter section of land in Granger and built one of the first brick homes in the area. It was at 3800 S 3800 W.
In 1889 they bought the 1st steam sawmill and moved it to Skull Valley and then to their Granger Property. There were few trees in the Granger/Hunter area and so logs were hauled from the canyon and brought to the Barton Mill
Second Generation of Builders
Thomas Barton
When Thomas was 6 yrs old his parents homesteaded 160 acres in Granger. Tom was a big help to his family on their Granger acreage.
Tom worked as a young man in the lumbering business They hauled logs from Butterfield and Harkers canyons. They first put the Saw Mill in Skull Valley because William thought the train track was coming through there, but they brought it through Corrinne so that is why he moved his Mill. They also filed claim on a mine up Porter Fork in Mill Creek Canyon which they worked for several years. Many Granger men worked for them to be paid by shares in the Indian Pete mine, but the ore was too poor so they closed it.
He married Rose Warr of Granger, they were a marvelous team. After Tom married he didn't do much in the lumber business except to build a home and farm buildings. He was mostly a farmer then. He bought one of the few Threshing Machines in the area with David Warr, George Grant and Ray Bvolton. The community greatly benefited from this machine He also worked for Hunt's Food Canning company in Murray as a field man working with other farmers who raised beans, peas and tomatoes. Tom also helped to organize the Utah Poultry Association and helped to organize the first sugar beet association called The Salt Lake Tooele County Sugar Beet Association. He was very hardworking and extremely active in the community
Third Generation of Builders
Doran Barton
Pictured: Doran and his wife, Beatrice
Doran was first a building contractor and then met Thayne Acord and they built North Jordan Builders Supply in 1947 as partners. It was located at 1900 W 3500 So
Doran Barton was a hard worker. His business thrived. He was also very civic minded. He was pivital in the purchase of the land for the Granger Park. He was an active member of the Granger Lions Club and sponsored many local baseball teams.
In 1953 Doran sold his share to Thayne and went further west to start a new lumber yard at 3804 W 3500 W. He had just gotten it started when he died in 1956 leaving his sons Bill and Bob to run the store. Thayne later changed the name of his store to Granger Builders Supply,
Fourth Generation
Bill Barton
Bill followed in his father’s footsteps and learned to build and remodeled homes. He worked in the family lumber & hardware business . His father passed away in his mid 50's and Bill continued to run the family store with his brother, Bob and his mother. He married Karen Larson a Granger Girl. Together they opened several successful family businesses, to name a few: Barton Builders and The Oaken Bucket Restaurant which was open for almost 20 years.
Bill and Bob sold their store and property to a local company who wanted to build a mall at 3804 W 3500 W which failed to materialize. They purchased the old Bawden property at 3555 W 3500 S and built a nice, larger store. All of Bill's and Bob's kids worked at the store.
Bill was also active in the Community. He joined Granger Lions Club and served as a president, he helped organize the Granger Hunter Chamber of Commerce, Granger Jaycees, and the Granger Hunter Community council. He was pivotal in community activities like Founder’s Day, Wild West Valley Days which is now known as West Fest. He was also on the Pioneer Valley Hospital board, Foster Parents Program, Juvenile Justice Advocate, Utah Taxpayers Association, West Valley Historical Society, and many other organizations. Bill found a genuine interest in being involved in the community and public affairs and ran for public offices Bill was elected to the Utah State Senate for 12 years. He was pivotal in the Incorporation of West Valley City. A finer man can’t be found.
His beautiful wife Karen is equally amazing. She has always been active in the community, serving as a board member for Pioneer Valley Hospital. Karen, her mother, her brother and Bill started the Oaken Bucket Restaurant in 1975 in a building at 3535 W 3500 S that was owned by Bob and Bill. Candles on the tables, table clothes, cloth napkins, live piano music and delicious food was available for decades at the Oaken Bucket. Many of us would give just about anything for another bowl of the Oaken Bucket Clam Chowder. It was a beautiful restaurant. Karen made sure the food and atmosphere was perfect.
The Name Changed to Barton's Builders Mart and moved to 3555 W 3500 So
Fifth Generations
Tom Barton
Tom has always been a hard worker just like his father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoys working in the Family Business. Tom's Uncle Bob, sold his shares of the business to Tom and Bill turned the store over to his son, Tom.
Along with the Lumber business, Tom can often be found on the cover of magazines. He is known far and wide for his rugged good looks.
He is also involved in the community and has overseen several youth mentoring programs. He has offered on the job training to teens to show them the Lumber Trade. He has also joined with several local businesses to offer on the job training in the field of welding and other trades.
The family moved the business to
the old Bonneville-Valley Communications Building at
3538 W 3100 So
Where Barton Builder's Shop can be found today
Sixth Generation
Brennen Barton
Brennen has worked in the family business most of his life and is a skilled craftsman. He often creates beautiful one of a kind furniture pieces and helps alongside his father and grandfather bill and Tom.
