My Genealogy Hound

HON. WILLIAM R. BURNETT, Mayor of the city of Springfield, was elected to this office in the spring of 1889, and is discharging the duties in connection therewith in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the people. He is a lifelong resident of the locality where he now lives, having been born in Springfield Township, August 17, 1846. He has watched the growth and development of the city, which was in its infancy during his boyhood, and no man is more warmly interested in its material welfare.

The father of our subject was John Burnett, a native likewise of Springfield Township and the son of Richard Burnett, who was born in England. The latter was reared to manhood in his native country, and upon emigrating to America settled in Kentucky. Later, he emigrated to Ohio and purchased a tract of Government land in Springfield Township, and for a number of years he engaged in farming. Later, he removed to the city and conducted an hotel on the National Pike, at the corner of Main Street and Western Avenue. He remained a resident of Springfield until his death.

The father of our subject learned the trades of millwrighting and carpentering, which he followed many years, becoming an expert workman. He spent his entire life in Clark County and died in Springfield, February 13, 1890. The mother, Mrs. Mary (Jones) Burnett, was born in Virginia and was the daughter of Wesley Jones, who spent his last years in Indiana. To herself and husband was born a family of nine children, viz: Thomas, William R., Theodore, George, Jane, James, Edward, Emma and Lewis. Six of these are living and residents of Springfield.

Young Burnett attended school quite steadily until fourteen years old and then commenced learning the trade of a machinist in the Champion Machine Shops, at Springfield, where he continued until August, 1863. The Civil War then being in progress, he finally resolved in having a hand in the preservation of the Union, and, accordingly, enlisted in the Fourth Battalion Cavalry, O.N. G., and went with his regiment to Kentucky and Tennessee, serving in these States until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Then, receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to his old place at the shops, continuing there until 1882.

Having now accumulated a fair amount of capital, Mr. Burnett embarked in the grocery business in Springfield, which he has since conducted successfully. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. He served six years as a member of the School Board, and for three years represented his ward in the City Council. He is an enterprising business man, and has always been found the encourager and supporter of the projects calculated to promote the growth and welfare of the city.

The subject of this notice was married October 19, 1865, in Springfield, to Miss Mary Monahan. Mrs. Burnett was born in June, 1844, in Springfield, and is the daughter of John and Eliza (Tuttle) Monahan. Of this union there have been born two children: Theodore A. was graduated from the American Veterinary College, of New York City, at the age of twenty years, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at La Crosse, Wis.; Levi is a student in the military school at Gambier, this State. Mr. Burnett is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M.; Springfield Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F.; Red Star Lodge, No. 205, K. of P.; Lodge, No. 51, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Mitchell Post, No. 45, G.A.R., at Springfield.

The home of Mayor Burnett is pleasantly located in the central part of the city, and, with its surroundings, indicates cultured tastes and ample means. It is hardly necessary to say that he is widely and favorably known throughout Clark County and is regarded as one of its leading citizens, and one who has been no unimportant factor in advancing its best interests.