[1] His father conducted a drapery business in Clitheroe marketplace, having spent time as a millwright.

In 1845 his firm was named Burton, Chippendale and Company but the partnership was dissolved.

[3] James Burton & Sons was the biggest mill-owning business in the area in the middle of the 19th century.

He represented Tyldesley on the Board of Guardians of the Leigh Poor Law Union.

John Oliver Burton)[7] served as High Sheriffs of Denbigh.