Champaign Co, ILGenWeb, The USGenWeb Project - Biography

Christopher Burnett

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: ALBRIGHT, BURNETT, JORDAN, KIRBY

CHRISTOPHER BURNETT, a well-known farmer and resident of Urbana Township, is a native of Yorkshire, England, where he was born June 17, 1840. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (KIRBY) BURNETT, came to America when Christopher was but thirteen years of age. Arriving at the city of Philadelphia, they first proceeded to Belmont County, Ohio, where they remained for about four months. Thinking to improve their circumstances by pushing further westward, they next came to Illinois, and settled in Vermilion county, where the father engaged in farming. In 1855 they changed their residence to Champaign county and settled in the village of Urbana, which at that time was little more than a hamlet. Mr. B. followed his trade, that of a brick and stone mason, in the little village as long as his health would permit, but soon succumbed to the disease from which he had for some time suffered, and died in 1864. His wife, who survived him until 1877, was the mother of eleven children, all of whom lived to maturity, and eight yet survive.

Christopher Burnett received a good education in the common schools in England, and resided with his parents until their death. He then began his career as a farmer, having had some experience therein when a boy, and operated on rented land, until he had saved sufficient capital to purchase a farm. After buying and selling twice, he, in company with his brother William, purchased a quarter of section 21, in Urbana Township, to which after a time they added eighty acres more. He now has a shapely and substantial residence, with good barns and other out-buildings, and has been very successful in raising the cereals. On the 25^th of December, 1879, Mr. Burnett was married to Miss Mary H. JORDAN, daughter of Isaac and Mary (ALBRIGHT) JORDAN. Her parents were formerly from Ohio, but are now residents of Farmer City, De Witt County, Ill. Of this union there were born two children, a son and daughter—William and Mary E. Mr. Burnett is one of the School Directors of District No. 11, and is interested in the general welfare of his county, as becomes a worthy and useful citizen. Politically he is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Burnett is a lovely Christian lady and a member of the Methodist Church.