John BURNETT is a well-to-do agriculturist residing on his excellent farm near the line between Ringgold and Decatur counties. He was born in March, 1852, in Washington county, Iowa, a son of Reuben D. and Malinda (SMYTH) BURNETT, who removed to Iowa in 1845. They continued to reside in Washington county until 1853, when they came to Decatur county, the father entering land near Decatur City, upon which he lived until his death in April, 1877, when sixty-two years of age. His widow survived until 1903, passing away in Bloomington township when eighty years old. They were the parents of eight children, namley; Sarah, the wife of Henry FORBES, a resident of Nebraska; William A., of Oberlin, Decatur county, Kansas; John; Ellen, who married John W. BENNETT, of Idaho; Benjamin Franklin, who is residing in the west; Alvira, the wife of Alex HEATHMAN, a resident of Idaho; Mary Ann, the wife of J. H. LIGHTHILL, who lives near Decatur City, this county; and Reuben B., a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri.

The ancestry of the BURNETT family has been traced to seven brothers, Samuel, James, Robert, John S., William, Thomas and henry, who in 1670 emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland, and located at Norfolk, Virginia. William BURNETT had a son, Robert, who was the father of John S. BURNETT, one of the six hundred Virginia Buckskins that WASHINGTON commanded at BRADDOCK's defeat near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This John S. BURNETT had a son Robert, who was a Revolutionary soldier and was with WASHINGTON when he crossed the Delaware. He in turn was the father of six sons, Samuel, Amor, Robert, Thomas, Henry and John S. Thomas and Henry BURNETT fought in the War of 1812, volunteering from Pendleton county, Virginia. The family has always been characterized by public spirit and patriotism and its members have been influential and highly respected citizens of the various communits in which they have resided.

John BURNETT was brought to this [Decatur] county when an infant and has continued to reside here, save for four years, which were spent in Ringgold county. He received his education in the public schools and during his boyhood and youth also became familiar with agricultural work. Since starting out on his independent career he has continued to follow the occupation to which he was reared and, although he had no capital when he began, he is now one of the well-to-do residents of his township. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, eighty acres thereof lying on section 6, Fayette township, this county,and eighty acres in Ringgold county. He has made all of the improvements upon his place and it is well equipped for twentieth century farming. He grows the usual crops and also raises stock and derives a gratifying annual income from his work.

Mr. BURNETT was married at Decatur City to Miss Susan McKEE, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1848, of the marriage of John and Mary A. (BAIN) McKEE, who removed with their family to this [Decatur] county about 1855. Mr. and Mrs. BURNETT became the parents of two children, both of whom are deceased. Alva died in infancy and Elma Alice died on the 27th of March, 1901, when she was twenty-five years of age.

Mr. BURNETT is a democrat and has served in most of the local offices. For twenty years he has been treasurer of the school district and during that time has carefully safeguarded the interests of the public schools. His wife belongs to the Christian church. Both are highly esteemed in this county and those who know them most intimately are their staunchest friends, which indicated the rectitude and uprightness of their lives.

NOTE: John BURNETT was born March 2, 1852, and died September 1, 1925. His daughter Elma Alice BURNETT was born September 8, 1874, and died March 22, 1901. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 203-05. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

AHERN, L. Dale. Down One Hundred Years

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009