George H. Burton

George H. Burton (15 January 1843 – 20 October 1917) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Indian Wars and Spanish–American War, he attained the rank of brigadier general as Inspector General of the United States Army.

A native of Millsboro, Delaware, Burton was raised and educated in Delaware and attended Delaware Military Academy. He then began attendance at the United States Military Academy (West Point), from which he graduated in 1865. Commissioned in the Infantry, he served in the former Confederacy during the Reconstruction era, followed by service in the west during the American Indian Wars.

In 1885, Burton transferred to the Department of the Army Inspector General, and he carried out inspector general appointments at departments and districts throughout the United States. During the Spanish–American War, he was inspector general of the army's Division of Cuba. Burton was promoted to brigadier general in 1903 and appointed as the army's inspector general. He held this position until retiring in 1906.

In retirement, Burton resided in Los Angeles. He died in Los Angeles on 20 October 1917. Burton was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life George Hall Burton was born in Millsboro, Delaware, on 15 January 1843, a son of Benjamin Burton and Catharine Roach (Green) Burton. He was raised and educated in Delaware and attended Delaware Military Academy. Burton graduated in 1865 ranked 34th of 68, and among his classmates who also became general officers were Charles W. Raymond, Alfred E. Bates, John Patten Story, and Samuel Meyers Mills Jr. Among his classmates who did not attain general officer rank was railroad executive Henry B. Ledyard Jr. He was promoted to first lieutenant on the same day. They were the parents of three daughters, as well as a son, Charles L., who died in infancy.

Minerva "Minnie" Burton, the wife of army officer Thomas Pearce. Leila, the wife of army officer Rush Wells. She was later married to John Howard Hutty, the brother of artist Alfred Hutty. Kathro Larrabee Burton, the wife of army officer George Mason Lee. Their children included United States Navy officer Fitzhugh Lee III, who retired as a vice admiral.

Dates of rank Burton's dates of rank were:

Second Lieutenant, 23 June 1865 First Lieutenant, 23 June 1865 Captain, 16 August 1871 Major, 27 March 1885 Lieutenant Colonel, 31 August 1888 Colonel, 2 January 1895 Brigadier General, 12 April 1903 Brigadier General (retired), 30 September 1906