Born in El Monte, California, his father was Ben Barton, who was a physician, businessman, and politician.
Hiram Merritt Barton was responsible for the development of the San Bernardino Valley.
Barton served in the California State Assembly for the 79th district from 1887 to 1889 as a Democrat.
From 1905 to 1907 Barton served as mayor of San Bernardino, California.
This article about a member of the California State Assembly is a stub.