William Edward Barton (April 11, 1868 – July 29, 1955) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri, cousin of Courtney Walker Hamlin. Born in Pickens District (now County), South Carolina, Barton and in 1869 moved to Missouri with his parents, who settled in Crawford County, near Bourbon. He attended the public schools and the Steelville Normal and Business Institute, Steelville, Missouri.He was employed as a farm hand, miner, and in a railroad office. He taught school near Bourbon, Missouri from 1889 to 1892.