Biographical Sketches
EDWARD A. BURNETT
An attorney at law of Kansas City, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, March 25, 1862, and is a son of John F. and Mary A. (Thurber) Burnett, also natives of the Green Mountain state. His father was a wool manufacturer, and owned extensive mills in Troy, New Hampshire, which he conducted until 1858, when, laying aside business cares, he retired to private life and the enjoyment of the competency that his own labor had secured. His death occurred in 1863, at the age of 33 years, but his wife is still living, in Brattleboro, Vermont. They were members of the Baptist church, taking an active part in its work, and for 12 years Mr. Burnett served as superintendent of the Sunday school. When the war was precipitated upon the country he entered the service as a member of the 16th Vermont infantry, and his death was occasioned by injuries sustained at the battle of Gettysburg. He was honored in his resident community with several offices, and was a man of prominence and genuine worth.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Burnett, was a native of Vermont, and was born and reared on the farm where occurred the birth of this grandson. He served as a captain in the state militia, reared a family of 5 children, and passed away on Christmas day of 1887, at the age of 86 years. The family has long been connected with New England history and interests, the original American ancestors having located in Massachusetts at a very early day. The great-grandfather, John Burnett, resides near Warwick, Massachusetts, whence he removed to the Green Mountain state about 1765. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Edward Thurber, was a native of Guilford, Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. He is still living, at the age of 88 years. His wife died in 1894, at the age of 80 years. The family was of Welsh origin.
Mr. Burnett, of this review, spent his childhood days in his parents' home and is indebted to the public schools for his preliminary educational privileges. He completed the high-school course in Brattleboro, Vermont, and subsequently attended Dartmouth College, at which institution, he was graduated with the class of 1887. His tastes led him to enter professional life, and he took up the study of law under the preceptorship of the firm of Martin, Waterman & Hitt, attorneys, of Brattleboro. He afterward continued his studies with Colonel Hugh Henry, of Chester, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in 1890. Immediately afterward he came to Kansas City, where he has since continued in active practice. A liberal patronage has come to him for his care over his clients' interests, and his painstaking efforts to secure success to their causes has won him the approval and support of the general public. In politics he is a stalwart republican, and was delegate to the state republican conventions while living in Vermont.
On the 22nd of November, 1887, Mr. Burnett was united in marriage with Miss Mary Howard, a daughter of William Wallace Howard, a prominent lawyer and banker of Windsor, Vermont. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mary Howard. Mr. Burnett belongs to the Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Socially, he is connected with Summundowat lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., of Kansas City.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.