BRIGHTON, Harry E. - d. February 15, 1942

[T. Sackett]

Death Claims H.E. Brighton (February 15, 1942)   

Death came unexpectedly to Harry E. Brighton as he sat listening to the radio at 9:00 a.m., Sunday in his Longton home and thus was ended a long newspaper career during which he became one of the best loved of his contemporaries in Southeastern Kansas.
     A heart attack ended his life of the 74 year-old owner and editor of the Longton News of which he had been publisher for 18 years.
     Mr. Brighton came to Independence from Illinois as a child and learned the printer's trade on the South Kansas Tribune.  From 1892 to 1909 he published the Caney Chronicle and in the interim between that and taking over the Longton News was in the newspaper business at other points.
     At the time of his death he was a Third district committeeman of the Kansas Press Association and a past president of the Third District Editorial Association.
     Politics was a hobby of his and from 1902-11 he served in the state legislature.  He was mayor of Longton for 16 years and in 1941 was president of the Third District Lincoln Day club.  As county chairman of Elk county he served the Republican party for six years.
     The Methodist church and the Masonic lodge, in both of which he was active, also received much of his time.
     He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Clark and Mrs. Clarence Foster of Longton, and Mrs. Marie Shoemaker of Independence, and a son, Hubert Brighton of Topeka.
     A brother, Ed Brighton of Independence, and four grandchildren also survive. --Monday's Independence Reporter.
     Funeral services for Harry E. Brighton were held at the Federated church in Longton Tuesday afternoon, February 17, at 2:30 p.m. conducted by the pastor Rev. T.C. Cocks, who delivered an appropriate eulogy to a useful citizen and neighbor.  Music was furnished by a male quartete, with a beautiful violin solo adding to the dignity of a beautiful service.  The body was taken to Independence for burial in the family lot in the Mount Hope cemetery, where the Longton Masons had charge of the services.

     This was found in the Howard Courant Citizen, February 19, 1942

[Bonnie M.]

Mr. Brighton was the grandfather of Sharon Nichols, who is married to Jim Nichols.  Brighton Hall in Longton is named in his honor.  The violin solo performance at his funeral was by Marjorie Merle (Morgridge) Shidler, who just passed away a few weeks ago.  Sharon mentioned that to me, when she responded to my sending her Marjorie Merle's obituary.