Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



James P. Burnett

James P. Burnett, fifth son of John and Jane (Cates) Burnett, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., Oct. 19, 1838. When he was six years old his parents removed to Franklin County, Ind., where he lived about three years, when they moved to Wayne County, residing there till 1858. He then moved with them to Shelby County, Mo., where he lived till the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company A, Third Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. In a skirmish at Pleasant View he was wounded severely six times, which disabled him from active duty three months. He was honorably discharged Nov. 3, 1864, at Little Rock, Ark., after which he returned to Missouri and farmed one year. He then came to Wayne County and sold goods on the road five years.

He was married Aug. 5, 1871, to Louisa, daughter of Ishmael and Mary (Mills) Conyers, natives of Penusylvania, and Wayne County, Ind., respectively. They have three children — Missouria, Auretta A. and Louie I. After his marriage Mr. Burnett settled on his present farm where he has since followed farming and trading. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2