California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 JOHN HENRY BURNETT. The largest foundry in Fresno is owned and operated by John Henry Burnett, 
an esteemed citizen of that city. He was born in Hellstone, Cornwall, England, December 10, 1859, a 
son of Evan Burnett, a native of Truro, England. His grandfather was a native of Wales and an iron 
moulder by trade, being engaged in this business at Truro. Evan Burnett also engaged in the foundry 
business in manhood, being located first at Truro and later at Hellstone. Coming to America in 1868, he 
went to Chicago, Ill., and followed his trade there for three years, when he came to California. Locating 
in San Francisco he engaged in the Union Iron Works at his trade for several years, and died at his 
home in Alameda, aged seventy-six years. His wife, formerly Catherine Rule, was a native of Red Ruth, 
England, and a daughter of Captain Rule, who was superintendent of the gas plant at Red Ruth, where 
his death occurred. Mrs. Burnett died in Alameda, January 25, 1905, aged eighty-five years. Of the 
fifteen children born of this union, eight attained maturity, five sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are now living except one daughter. Two brothers, Richard and Fred C, are both in Fresno and in the 
employ of John Henry Burnett, who was the fourth in order of birth of the living children. 

In the common schools of his native country John Henry Burnett received his education, remaining in 
England until 1868, when he accompanied his parents to Chicago. He attended school there until their 
removal to California, where, at the age of eleven years, he was apprenticed to learn the moulder's 
trade in the old Union Iron Works in San Francisco. He remained there for four years, when, in 
September, 1879, he came to Fresno. He first engaged in the vineyard culture in this locality, 
purchasing forty acres in the Scandinavian Colony, where he remained for four or five years. He then 
sold out and bought eight hundred acres on Dry creek, where he followed the stock business for 
several years, and then engaged in mining in Fresno and Kern counties. This venture proved 
unsatisfactory, so he once more engaged at his trade, three weeks after his return to the old work 
being made foreman of the foundry. A year later he leased the foundry and engaged in business for 
himself, since which time he has continued profitably. In 1904 he built a new foundry on the Santa Fe. 
the largest in the San Joaquin valley, having a capacity of casting ten tons per day. He manufactures 
structural iron and steel work, and also a general line of castings and foundry work. He has made a 
success of his work and has proved his exceptional ability as a business man. 

In Fresno Mr. Burnett was united in marriage with Annie E. Firebaugh, a native of Santa Cruz, and the 
daughter of Andrew Firebaugh, who came from his native state of Virginia to California as a pioneer. 
He located in Santa Cruz for a time and then went to the present site of Firebaugh, where he was one 
of the first white settlers on the west side. He built the first ferry at the town now known as 
Firebaugh, and also the Pacheco Pass road over the Coast range as a toll road, and later sold it to the 
county. He engaged in the stock business in Fresno, where he spent his last days. His wife, formerly 
Susan Berges, daughter of Judges Berges, survives him and makes her home in Fresno. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Burnett were born two daughters. Maude E. and Winnifred, who died aged seven years. Mrs. 
Burnett is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally Mr. Burnett is identified with the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Woodmen of the 
World and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is an advocate of the principles of the 
Republican party.