 Born in England, Barton was educated at Cranleigh School in Surrey, where he was coached at cricket by the professional players Harry Jupp and James Street.He migrated to New Zealand on the ship "St Leonards", arriving in November 1877, and worked for the Bank of New Zealand, first in Wanganui, then in Auckland from 1882, in Blenheim from early 1888, in Whangarei from late 1888, in Kaikoura from 1895, then as manager of the Rangiora branch from 1906.He retired in 1920, having served the bank for 43 years.