Burton Allan Allen Livingston

Burton Allen Livingston, son of Jacob Livingston (1777 - 1855) and Sarah Van Kleek Livingston (1784 - 1851, was born 14 July 1827 at Schoharie County, New York. He died 19 May 1879 at Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota, and was buried at Oakland Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, United States.

Marriages and Children

1. Louisa Angelica Settle, daughter of Elizabeth Schaeffer and Adam Settle. Married 18 January 1849 at Schoharie County, New York. She died 25 September 1849, Schoharie County, New York.
2. Mary Margaret Settle (sister of Louisa Angelica Settle) married 11 December 1850, Schoharie County, New York
   1. Ferris Snyder Livingston
   2. Hynd Watson Livingston
   3. Erwin Jay Livingston
   4. Laura Livingston
   5. Ella Livingston
3. Caroline "Carrie" Gray Duncan (1849 - 1937), married 3 October 1868, Sauke Centre, Minnesota
   1. Casius W. Livingston
   2. Stuart Douglas Livingston (1870 - 1946)
   3. Guy Livingston

Obituary: The Alexandria Post, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota

Friday, May 23, 1879, page 4, col. 2. Our usually quiet village was, on Tuesday the 20th instantly thrown into a state of excitement never before witnessed, over the sad and terrible death of an old and well-known citizen, Burton A. Livingston. About four o'clock in the afternoon news was received on the streets that he had committed suicide. It spread like wild fire and in a short time the whole community stood breathless and horror-stricken. Men rushed by the score to the spot in Hole's Addition where, alone in the solitary woods, he had yielded his spirit to Him to gave it. He was a respected citizen and a kinder or more affectionate father can not be found. In a letter written before his decease he spoke in the most loving terms of his wife and three little boys. It would be utter folly to attempt to describe the grief and desolation which his death has produced among the inmates of his house. A kind Providence will extend to them the consolation which He alone can give. May He lighten their burdens and smooth their pathway, enabling them to bear up under the weight of their affliction, as in coming years they pursue their journey alone. There was a brief funeral service at his house Wednesday evening, and the Thursday morning train bore the remains, accompanied by a few friends, to Sauk Center for interment beside the little ones of his family who have gone before.

Obituary: The Douglas County News, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota

Thursday, May 22, 1879, page 1, col. 2. On Tuesday afternoon about four o'clock, our usually quiet town was startled by the news that Col. B. A. Livingston, an old and respected citizen, had deliberately shot himself in the head causing almost instantaneous death. The news spread like wild fire and in a short time the street in front of his house, extending to the fatal spots two blocks from his residences of the cold-blooded tragedy, was filled with people. The facts of the case are as follows: About 1 o'clock p.m., he left his house telling his wife when she had dinner ready to send the little boy to his place of business for him, which she did soon afterwards. Upon going to the billiard hall he gave the little boy a pasteboard box containing the key to the back door of the hall, telling him to take it home; starting himself down the stage road turning in by Mr. Davis' house, making a circle back to within two blocks of his own residence on the same street, and there with a small cord tied a slip knot around his neck and then slightly bent a sapling to which he tied the other end of the cord, and then with a revolver shot himself in the head, the ball entering just above the right ear, thus making death doubly sure and the sapling sustaining him in almost a sitting position making a ghastly by prominent appearance. In the meanwhile the little boy went home and told his mother that his father had gone off down the road acting very strange. She immediately procured a livery team and in company with J. A. Colby drove down the stage road to Shotwell's, where they learned that he was seen to turn in by Mr. Davis'. They immediately turned back, and on arriving at Livingston's residence, they learned that a shot had been heard in close proximity to the house. Mrs. Livingston and little boy, J. A. Colby and Marshal Walker, then commenced a search and in a few minutes the body was found. The coroner was called and at once summoned a jury consisting of H. H. Russell, W. E. Chidester, G. H. Roe, C. Christie, Frank Kent, and Joshua M. Doudna, who, after Dr. Lewis had made an examination of the bullet hole, rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. A letter mailed by the deceased about noon was received by A. J. Ames, Esq.,--after the body was found, states what is to be done with his business affairs. The deceased was fifty-two years old and leaves a wife and three children. The only cause assigned for this terrible deed is family trouble, which had so long preyed on his mind that it drove him to desperation. The funeral service took place at the family residence yesterday afternoon, Rev. Q. L. Dowd officiating, and the remains were taken to Sauk Centre for burial this morning. Sauk Centre Herald: 5/23/1879:Suicide of Col. Livingston at Alexandria//Tuesday afternoon the people of Alexandria were shocked to hear of the suicide of Col. Livingston that occurred at that place, at about 2o'clock of that day by both hanging and shooting himself, at his house. It seems that he first hung himself and then with a large navy revolver shot himself, the bullet going in at the temple and passing through his head, lodging against the scalp on the other side. The cause of the suicide is domestic trouble. It appears that he had been caused a great deal of unhappiness by his wife and had contemplated this terrible step to end his trouble for a long time. He left a long letter addressed to Justice Ames,detailing the cause of the act and giving minute instructions regarding all his business affairs. Everything in his store was left in complete order, and had been arranged with the end in view. Col. Livingston was well known here in Sauk Centre, where he resided for some time, at one time keeping the Linden House. He was a popular man and well thought by everyone that knew him. His remains were brought down from Alexandria Thursday and buried by the side of his two children in Oakland Cemetery. We will be able to give a more detailed account of the sad affair next week. (Sauk Centre Historical Society/Transcribed by L B Kostrzewski)

Sources

• Find A Grave Memorial# 49378297