My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

William H. Burnett is a prosperous general merchant of Desha County, Ark., and by his superior business management and efficiency has added much to the material interests of Pendleton and the surrounding country. He also conducts his plantation, and each year cultivates about 150 acres. He was born in Desha County. Ark., and is the offspring of one of the early settlers of the county, Lemuel F. Burnett. The latter was a Pennsylvanian, born August 4, 1810, of German parents, but was reared in Ohio, and removed from that State to Arkansas in 1833, while it was yet a Territory, although for several years before he became a permanent resident he followed the business of a trader. By occupation he was a gunsmith, having served an apprenticeship at that trade in Steubenville, Ohio. After settling in Arkansas he began working at his trade and also followed merchandising and farming, and by his indefatigable industry, enterprise and good management, he accumulated a handsome property. He now resides in Arkansas County, Ark., and although eighty years of age, he is still hale and healthy. He is an active Democrat, and has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Coose, was born in Tennessee, September 30, 1820, and is still living in the enjoyment of good health. Her father, N. C. Coose, was probably born in Tennessee. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is an earnest and conscientious Christian. She and Mr. Burnett were married in Arkansas, in 1839, and celebrated their golden wedding in June, 1889. Their union was blessed in the birth of fifteen children—twelve sons and three daughters—only five of whom are living: Mattie (wife of Jonathan N. Almond, a farmer of Arkansas County, Ark.), Elizabeth (wife of Samuel A. Morgan, also of that county), Lemuel F. (a merchant and planter of Desha County), James N. (also following these occupations in the county), and William H. The rest of the children died in infancy. William H. Burnett was reared in Desha County, and although his early educational advantages were very poor indeed, in later years he succeeded in obtaining a good practical business education, and is now one of the leading business men of the county. He began doing for himself when twenty-two years of age, as a merchant at Burnett’s Landing on the Arkansas River, but for some years has been established at Silver Lake and Watson, doing an annual business of about $75,000. He owns a large tract of woodland in the county, and on his property is erected a steam cotton-gin, which has a capacity of about 6,000 pounds of lint cotton per day. The different occupations to which he has given his attention have resulted satisfactorily, and he is well known to the residents of Desha County as an upright, honorable and successful man of business. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is a member of the K. of H., and politically, is a Democrat, and has held the position of notary public of his county, and is the present postmaster of Watson. He was married June 7, 1882, in New Orleans, La., to Miss Florence Johnson, a native of Charleston, S. C, a daughter of Charles Johnson. She died October 28, 1885, having become the mother of two sons and one daughter: Charles W., Linnie F. and Alfred E. (who died in 1883 in infancy). His second marriage was solemnized in Memphis, Tenn., December 13, 1887, to Miss Sallie McDaniel, a native of Moulton, Ala. She is a daughter of William McDaniel, and her marriage with Mrs. Burnett has resulted in the birth of a son: Luther, who died in infancy. He was so unfortunate as to lose this wife by death, April 12, 1889, her death being mourned not only by her immediate family, but by all who knew her.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Desha County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.