During his life, Albert O. Barton, historian, journalist, and political figure, was widely known for his varied interests and activities. A native of Primrose in Dane County, Wisconsin, he grew up on a farm near that of the La Follette family. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1896, he remained for a year of graduate study in history and English, and then traveled to the British Isles.
Upon his return to the United States, he became a newspaper reporter, first in Madison, later in Denver and Cripple Creek, Colorado. Between 1910 and 1912, he served as senate clerk for Robert M. La Follette Sr., and for many years was an enthusiastic participant in the Progressive Party movement in Wisconsin. During World War I, he was director of the State War History Commission. From 1920 to 1929, he was associate editor of the Wisconsin Farmer, a widely circulated farm weekly in the Midwest, and for a period was also chief deputy in the state oil inspection department. After twelve years of service on the Dane County board of supervisors, he was elected register of deeds in 1935, a position he held until his death.
In addition to writing numerous periodical and newspaper articles, usually on some aspect of history in Wisconsin, he published in 1922 La Follette's Winning of Wisconsin, 1894-1904, and collaborated in the preparation of several other Wisconsin volumes.
