J. W. BURKETT

BURKETT

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/23/2020 at 14:21:36

J. W. BURKETT, one of the aged, prominent citizens of Washington township, section 25 (Mt.Etna postoffice), was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 10, 1813, a son of George and Charlotte (Freehart) Burkett, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Pennsylvania. Her ancestors can be traced back to the Mayflower through the name of Craig. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser. He came from Virginia to Maryland, thence to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and thence to Jackson county, Indiana, where he died about 1844 at more than eighty years of age.

The mother died in 1836 about forty years of age. She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. These parents had eight children, our subject being the only one now living so far as known. He began business at the age of nineteen years; he worked at the carpenter’s trade, did teaming and farmed. Farming and carpentering have been his chief occupation, and he has given some attention to fruit-growing. He came to his farm in 1889. Before that he
had lived at Quincy. He came to this State in 1848 and settled in Polk county, where he was one of the pioneers. He enlisted in 1846 in Company A, Second Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers. At this time he lived in Buchanan county, Missouri, and served about fourteen months. He took part in one battle, the regiment being stationed in New Mexico. He had good health while in the army and was discharged about September 14, 1847.

He is now nicely located near the Quincy & Carl Railroad; has a large orchard of ten acres, and raises small fruit. He lives two and one-half miles southeast of Mt. Etna, and has a nice home.

Mr. Burkett was married in 1832 to Miss Nancy Wheeler, of Hamilton county, Indiana. Two children have been born to them: John J., who is married to Catherine Whetstone; they have nine children: he is a broom-maker and farmer of this county. Willliam H., a farmer and carpenter of Warren county, Iowa, is married to Jane McClintic; they have eight children. Mrs. Burkett died in 1837. She was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Burkett is a member of the Masonic Order. In politics he is an Independent.