JAMES W BURNHAM

San Francisco County

Biographies

JAMES W. BURNHAM

James W. Burnham is reckoned among the California pioneers, and for nearly forty years has been closely identified with the commercial interests of the State. He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 25, 1836, his ancestors being among the early settlers of the State. At the age of twelve years he went to sea as cabin boy for his uncle, Captain William Varinia, his first cruise being to the West Indies, and his second cruise with another uncle, Captain Nicholas Varinia, on the brig Forest, bound for California, loaded with a cargo of general merchandise and sixty passengers, the father of our subject, James Burnham, being among the number. The ship sprung a leak off the coast of South America and they ran in at Port St. Catharine, and beached the vessel and made necessary repairs. While there they had much trouble with the natives, and when they sailed were fired upon from the forts. They then rounded Cape Horn, where they met very heavy weather and were three weeks battling with the elements, and four men were lost, being washed overboard. Once entering the Pacific they proceeded without delay and arrived safely at San Francisco, July 6, 1849, landing at the corner of Clay and Montgomery streets, the voyage being of 180 days’ duration. James W. and his father then started for the mines, boarding a small overloaded schooner for Sacramento, being two weeks in making the trip; then proceeding to Sutter’s mill they began placer-mining; but the exposure was too much for them, and after about three months both were taken sick with chills and fever and they returned to San Francisco, and in January, 1850, started for home. Taking a Chilian bark to Panama, they crossed to Chagres, there re-embarking on a small brig for New Orleans, thence up the river to Sandusky, Ohio, across to Buffalo, and by Albany and Boston back to Newburyport, where they remained until February, 1852, and again started for California, Mr. Burnham bring out his wife, daughter and subject, which composed his family. They embarked from Boston by ship, and again rounded Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco without accident or particular incident. Mr. Burnham then followed his trade of hatter until his death in 1852. The subject began work for William M. Hixon, a carpet dealer on Clay street, remaining until 1861, the latter year filling positions of trust and responsibility, having entire charge of the store during Mr. Hixon’s absence in Europe. In 1861 Mr. Burnham went to Virginia City, Nevada, and in partnership with a Mr. Hall, opened a carpet store, which they continued about two years, then sold out and returned to San Francisco, and again clerked in the carpet house of McIlwee & Ackerman, on Montgomery street, remaining until 1868. Mr. Burnham’s sister, Sarah E., had previously married Mr. John L. Eckley, and in 1868 Miss Burnham and Eckley formed a copartnership and purchased the carpet stock of J. M. Troutt, located on the junction of Post and Market streets, in a one-story frame building. With the increase of trade they erected a beautiful four-story building of pressed brick and stone trimmings, having a twenty-six foot frontage on Market street and forty-five feet on Post, the building being 150 feet deep, which was then considered one of the finest buildings of the city. Here they continued business until 1880, when Mr. Eckley sold his interest to Thomas Beck and the firm of Burnham, Beck & Co., was organized, who continued until 1883, when disaster settled upon them and the establishment was closed out with heavy loss to the proprietors, though the creditors received dollar for dollar. Mr. Burnham then bought the “Oak Lawn” fruit farm and ranch of thirty acres, two and a half miles from Santa Clara, built a handsome residence and there resided until 1887. The ranch was highly improved, with a variety of fruit, and was considered the finest of its size in the valley, and he sold it for $21,500; then returned to San Francisco, where he has since resided, owning a fine residence at No. 7 Scott street. In 1887 he entered the real-estate business at 428 Montgomery street, with F. D. Marsh, in which he is still engaged, buying and selling property and doing a general rental and collection business. He was married in San Francisco in 1863 to Miss Sarah J. Gibbons, a native of England, and to the union has been added three children: James G., Genevieve B., now Mrs. F. D. Marsh, and William. Mr. Burnham is a member of the Society of California Pioneers, being among the youngest in the society of those who arrived in ’49; also a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, F. & A. M. He was one of the active members of the Vigilance Committee of 1856, and is always found on the side of law and order. He has done considerable building in the city, in apartment and business property, and in real estate has important and extensive transactions.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 706-707, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.