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


BURR BROTHERS. Tulare county owes much to the young men who have taken up their 
residence within its boundaries and are making this one of the greatest counties in the state. 
Progressive and industrious, the young men are the ones to build up new industries. In this 
work special mention must be made of the Burr Brothers, who have done much for Tulare 
county. Always alert to adopt new ideas, they have met with success in their business ventures 
and are now looked upon as two of the most substantial young business men in the county. 

John Burr, Jr., and Charles Felton Burr are sons of John Burr, Sr., a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. 
He came to California in 1873, and being a landscape gardener by trade, he soon secured a 
position with ex-Senator Charles Felton, with whom he continued for ten years. In 1883 he 
located at Goshen and started a forty-acre vineyard. This he conducted for three years, when 
he sold out and removed to the San Fernando valley, where he set out orange, lemon and olive 
trees, now owning ninety acres, twenty-one miles north of Los Angeles. His ranch is known as 
the "Morning Side Ranch" and is one of the finest places in Los Angeles county. From the first 
he took an active interest in political matters and has served one term as sheriff of Los Angeles 
county. Filling this office gave him a wide acquaintance, and wherever known he has scores of 
warm personal friends, who respect him for the position he has gained in this state. Mr. Burr 
married Miss Annie Philpott, who was born in England. By this union three children have been 
born : John and Charles, who will be mentioned later, and William, who is living at home, 
assisting his father in the work of the ranch. 

John Burr, Jr., was born in San Mateo county, this state, on March 10, 1874. His early life was 
spent in the county of his nativity and on the removal of his parents to Los Angeles county he 
accompanied them. His common school education was supplemented by a course in a Los 
Angeles business college, from which he was graduated in 1893. From a boy he took an active 
interest in horticulture and devoted all his spare time to the work on his father's ranch. In 1898, 
in company with his brother Charles, he came to Lindsay, and together they purchased one 
hundred and thirty acres four miles north of the town. Improvements were at once begun and 
soon ninety acres were set out with navel oranges, while the balance was placed under 
excellent cultivation and in the spring of 1905 the whole will be set out in oranges. The entire 
ranch is on the hillside and above the frost. This makes it possible to produce an excellent 
quality of fruit and much earlier than the ranches in the lowlands. While Mr. Burr has been very 
busy looking after his own interests he is interested in the Exeter Water and Irrigation 
Company, of which he is one of the directors. He was one of the organizers of the Lindsay 
Orange Growers' Association and is now one of the directors. He is also connected with the 
Rochdale Association. 

While still living in Los Angeles county Mr. Burr was united in marriage with Miss Hallie Cresap, a 
native of Iowa. She died in January, 1903, leaving one child, Annie, who is also deceased, dying 
at the age of seven months. Mr. Burr*s second marriage took place in Lindsay and united him 
with Miss Grace Foster, who is a native daughter of California, having been born in Salinas. In 
politics Mr. Burr is a Republican and fraternally is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He 
has little time for the social side of life, yet he and his most estimable wife are very popular, and 
the best homes in this section of the county are always open for their reception. 

Charles F. Burr is also a native of California, having been born at Menlo Park, San Mateo county. 
May 6, 1876. His education was received in the schools of Los Angeles county, later taking a 
course in the Los Angeles Business college. Coming .to Lindsay with his brother in 1898, he has 
since been actively associated with him in business. The two brothers have worked together in 
every sense of the word and as a result "Sunny Slope" is one of the finest ranches in the 
county. 

In Los Angeles county Mr. Burr married Miss Elsie L. Hovt and now has two children : Charles 
Felton, Jr., and an infant unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Burr have made scores of friends since taking 
up their residence in Tulare county, all of whom are deeply interested in the welfare of their 
new acquaintances. Like his brother, Mr. Burr is a director in the Rochdale Company, and is 
interested in the Lindsay Improvement Company, the Lindsay Orange Growers' Association and 
the Exeter Water and Irrigation Company. A stanch Republican, he takes an active interest in 
the welfare of the party, and while he has never had the time nor inclination to seek office he 
endorses those he thinks should be elected and will work for their successful candidacy.