Sutter County Biographies

JOHN BURNS

Born in New York City on Washington’s Birthday, in 1836, this sturdy pioneer, the late John Burns, who breathed his last in 1919, was left an orphan at seven years of age. When he grew up, he learned the trade of the cooper; and in the early days in New York he was known for his dependable work.

In 1859, John Burns came out to California, traveling by way of Panama; and on April 5 of that year he arrived in San Francisco. He did not stay long there, however, but pushed on into Calaveras County, where he tried his luck at mining; and then he ran a ferry at Verona, in Sutter County. He also successfully conducted a dairy and stock farm; and becoming recognized as a man of affairs, he was elected supervisor of Sutter County in 1892, from the fourth district, and was reelected five times, serving twenty-four years in that official capacity. He was school trustee for twenty-five years.

On August 23, 1863, Mr. Burns married Miss Eliza G. Abdill, of New Jersey, a noble woman, whose influence for good was wide and permanent. She breathed her last on May 15, 1889. She was a devoted wife, and was the mother of eight children, as follows: Isaac Le Roy; Winfield David, deceased August 3, 1904; Addie E., now the wife of Charles Peaslee; Mary, also deceased; Alice Florence, now Mrs. Arthur H. White, whose life story is given in some detail elsewhere in this historical work; and Edwin, William Ellis, and Grace, the wife of H. A. Harding, who passed on in 1921. Mr. Burns was a member of Pleasant Grove Lodge, No. 269, I.O.O.F.

One mile west of Tudor is found the beautiful orchard home of Henry Buckingham, consisting of thirty acres which has been developed to peaches and plums. Born at Hermosa, S. D., September 13, 1885, he is the sixth in a family of ten children born to John L. and Amanda E. (Conner) Buckingham, whose history will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Henry Buckingham received his education in the public school in the Barry district, and at the age of eighteen started to make his own way in the world, working first as a farm laborer until he had saved enough money to start in the fruit business for himself. His first purchase of land was ten acres near Oswald Station, which he set out to orchard. After six years he sold this property and bought his present place at Tudor, consisting of thirty acres, which he has brought to a fine state of development.

On June 28, 1906, at Sutter City, Mr. Buckingham was married to Miss Clara Thompson, daughter of George and Sarah Thompson, also represented in this history. Mrs. Buckingham received her education in the Slough district school of Sutter County. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham, Vera, Verna, and Ellen. In politics Mr. Buckingham is a Republican.