Britton - William P.
Judge WILLIAM P. BRITTON
Source: Crawfordsville Review Oct 5, 1911 p 1
William P. Britton, one of the two oldest living members of the Montgomery County Bar and ex-judge of the circuit court died at his home, 302 W. Wabash Avenue Sunday afternoon about 4:50 after an illness of several weeks. Judge Britton was 76 and the illness which came upon him in July gradually sapped his strength until the end. Funeral services will be held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Dr. G.L. Mackintosh will officiate and the pall bearers will be John A. Booe; Arch Bailey; TH Ristine; MW Bruner; William Britton; and Winfield S. Moffett of Indianapolis. Burial will be mad ein Oak Hill Cemetery. William P. Britton was born on a farm in Ripley Township two miles west of Yountsville June 11, 1835, and was, therefore, 76 years, 3 months 20 days old at the time of his death. He was the son of John and (Sarah) Sparks Britton and was the second in a family of 8 children. During his youth, he assisted his father in the hardy, pioneer work of clearning land for farm use. He attended school at odd intervals and at age 18 left his home to make his own way in the world. He worked at various occupations, among them house painting and clerkingin stores. In his early 20s he decided to take up teaching and secured a license from Prof. JL Campbell of Wabash College, then superintendent of schools in Monntgomery County. The future circuit judge took a small school in Ripley Township in the fall and winter of 1855-56, known then as the Herron School. By boarding at home and walking two miles to and from his school each day he succeeded in saving a small sum for his own education. During this time he attended Wabash College when not engaged in teaching. In 1861 and 1862 he studied in the law department in the University of Michigan and came to Crawfordsville in the spring of 1863. Here he entered into a partnership with James M. Spillman and the two opened a law office and "hung out their shingle." The youthful attorneys did not thrive, however, and after waiting several months for clients and finding that $10 was the total amount of proceeds in that time, they dissolved in disgust. Judge Britton then opened an office for the collection of soldiers' claims etc and by liberal advertising and close attention to business built up a profitable clientage. In 1864 he was appointed school examiner for Montgomery County and served in that capacity for three years. In 1867 he was elected trustee of Union Township and remained in that office one years. In 1873, the law firm of Britton & Bruner was formed, MW Bruner being the junior partner and this firm continued until 1879, enjoying a lucrative practice during that time. In the year last named the subject of this sketch was elected to the office of judge of the 22d judicial circuit, comprising the counties of Montgomery and Parke. Judge Britton was elected over Judge T.N. Rice of Rockville and served for two terms - kbz