WILLIAM J. BURGETT
William
J. Burgett is a representative of one of the pioneer families
of Lucas county and was born in Liberty township, December 10,
1862, his parents being Aaron and Nancy (Bowles) Burgett. The father was born
in Johnson county, Indiana, October 19, 1841, and the mother
was also a native of that state. They were both quite young when they
came to Lucas county and settled in Liberty township with
their respective parents.
To their union were born six children, of whom William
J. Burgett of this review is the eldest. The others were: Mrs. Laura A.
Fread, now deceased; John L., who was born March 4, 1869, and
resides in Kansas City, Kansas; Henry A., who was born March
8, 1871, and is living in Liberty township; Mrs. Ida E.
Luther-Fogle, deceased; and Lydia Belle, who died in infancy. The mother passed
away in Liberty township, November 24, 1874, and the father
afterward married again.
There were two children of that marriage: Elmer C., who now
resides on the old homestead in Liberty township; and Mrs.
Leta V. Fogle, a resident of Colorado. All of the children
of both marriages, with the exception of Laura, who was born
in Montana, were natives of Liberty township and were educated
in the district schools.
The father reached a ripe old age, passing away in
Liberty township, June 14, 1903.
No
event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of
life for William J. Burgett until he left home to enter the
Ackworth Academy, which he attended for two terms. He afterward
engaged in teaching for three terms but has made farming his
chief occupation through life and has brought his land to a
high state of cultivation owing to his enterprising and
progressive methods.
On
the 25th of August, 1885, Mr. Burgett was married
to Miss Lona Frazer, a teacher, who was born in Schuyler
county, Illinois, February 18, 1863, and came to Lucas county
with her parents, Otho Shipley and Ann Maria (Lydebotham)
Frazer. The
family settled in Lincoln township, but in 1871 a removal was
made to Liberty township.
The father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, November
27, 1819, and died in Chariton, Iowa, March 1, 1890. The mother, whose
birth occurred at Endicott Mills, Maryland, June 8, 1825,
passed away in Chariton, May 3, 1904. There were nine
children in the Frazer family, of whom seven are living: Thomas Shipley, who
was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 23, 1847, and now
makes his home in Chariton; Franklin Wesley, who was born May
17, 1849, and died August 9, 1855; Mrs. Amorille Virginia
Ramsey, who was born September 5, 1851, and resides in
California; Benton W., who was born March 29, 1854, and lives
in Chariton; Mrs. Esther Josephine Davis, who was born August
15, 1857, and resides in Des Moines, Iowa; Charles Lincoln,
who was born September 15, 1860, and passed away October 5,
1863; Mrs. Burgett; Mrs. Lillian May Peck, who was born
February 12, 1867, and resides in Denver, Colorado; Mrs.
Margaret Caldona McCullough, who was born April 30, 1869, and
lives in Chariton. The
five eldest are natives of Perry county, Ohio, while Lincoln
and Mrs. Burgett were born in Illinois and the youngest in
Lucas county, Iowa.
Mr.
and Mrs. Burgett became the parents of seven children. Marion Vernon, born
June 8, 1887, is now a veterinary surgeon connected with the
United States bureau of animal industry at St. Louis. Edith Elinor, born
December 10, 1888, is teaching school near Russell, Iowa. Mrs. Vivian Irene
Stromlund, born March 31, 1890, is living in Salix, Iowa. She was a
successful teacher in Lucas county before her marriage. Theressa Odette,
born January 29, 1892, is teaching school in English township. Nellie Agnes, born
December 9, 1895, is attending the Iowa Teachers’ College at
Cedar Falls. Leslie
Glenn, born December 24, 1898, and Fern Marie, born December
12, 1901, are attending the public schools. In addition to the
common-school course Theressa spent a summer in attendance at
the Iowa Teachers’ College, and the three elder children spent
a year at Simpson College and one term at Shenandoah, while
Vivian, Theressa and Nellie were students in the academy at
Oakley for two years. All
this indicates the deep interest felt by Mr. and Mrs. Burgett
in the cause of education, showing their desire to have their
children splendidly qualified by mental training for life’s
practical and responsible duties.
In politics Mr. Burgett is a democrat and for three terms served as township clerk. He has also filled the office of school director. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oakley and they are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community. The home farm, known as the Pioneer Farm, comprises one hundred and forty-five acres of choice land on sections 21 and 22, Liberty township, whereon are good improvements. This was a portion of the old Halverty place, one of the first farms of Liberty township to be developed, and there is still to be seen in a good state of preservation an old log house which was built by Mr. Halverty at an early day. The home contains relics of early times, including a Bible printed more than a hundred years ago, old-fashioned wool cards and a spinning wheel, together with other relics of pioneer times. Moreover, their home contains many examples of the choicest literature, for the entire family take deep interest in all things which are educational and broadening. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burgett are descendants of early settlers and are numbered among the most progressive citizens of the county, interested in its welfare and active in promoting its advancement.