Individual Details

John Henry Burnett, also known as "Jack." He apprenticed as a rock mason in a New York marble yard, then with 10 other boys, ran away from home in 1849, coming by water to Indianola, Texas. After staying with a great uncle in Caldwell County, he rangered in most of western Texas. Under Captain Hays, he was wounded at the battle of Batte Cave and helped in the capture of Buffalo Hunk. In the 1851 he lived in Belton and met Major Erath with whom he hunted buffalo. After quitting the Rangers in 1856, he built buildings throughout Texas, notably two wings of Baylor College at Independence, Washington County, and the Bell County jail. He fought for the Confederacy west of the Mississippi, was captured in Louisiana and taken to New Orleans. He was at Mobile at war's end. In 1870 he bought 400 acres along the Leon River which had 4 tenant houses by 1900. He had a fine home in West Belton at time of his death.

1880 Bell County, Texas census: J. H. Burnett – 45; Mahala – 40; Margaret N. – 12  (born about 1868); Abigill E. – 10; James H. – 8; Willie M. – 6; Joseph H. – 3.

1900 Bell County census: Jack Burnett – 65; Mahaly - 59.

Birth	1834	Steuben County, New York
Marriage	Abt, 1867	Mahala Davis
Death	October 31, 1901	West Belton, Bell County, Texas

Spouse	Mahala Davis (1839 - 1924)
Child	Margaret Burnett (1868 - )
Child	Abigail E. Burnett (1870 - )
Child	Dr. James Henry Burnett (1872 - 1939)
Child	Willie M. Burnett (1874 - )
Child	Joseph Hiram Burnett (1878 - 1942)
Child	Mary Burnett (1882 - )