Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Burbank, John A.

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John A. Burbank (p 395)

The name of this gentleman is one which stands conspicuously forth on the pages of Indiana's political history. He has been an active factor in administering the affairs of the government, especially in the west, and is widely recognized as a Republican leader, who has labored earnestly for the success of the party and yet has never placed partisanship before citizenship or self-aggrandizement before the national good. Close study has given him keen insight into the important political problems, and, though now living retired at his Richmond home, his interest in the issues of the day that affect the national weal or woe has never been abated.

A son of Isaac and Mary E. (Troxell) Burbank, he was born in Centerville, then the county seat of Wayne County, Indiana, July 23, 1827, and on the paternal side is of English descent, while on the maternal side he is of German lineage. His grandfather, Eleazer Burbank, was a native of New Hampshire, whence he removed to a farm near Bethel, Windsor County, Vermont. There he made his home until his death. He was a Revolutionary soldier who fought for the independence of the nation, and was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. He married Rachel Payne and reared a number of children.

Isaac Burbank, the father of our subject, was born on the farmstead near Bethel and was educated in the common schools of the Green Mountain State. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, and later removed to Emmettsburg, Frederick County, Maryland, where he engaged in school teaching for several years. About 1825 he removed to Centerville, Indiana, becoming one of the pioneer residents of the place and aiding materially in its development and advancement. He engaged in general merchandising for forty years, and in 1870 removed to Richmond, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. By his marriage to Mary E. Troxell he had seven children --- three sons and four daughters: Rachel E., widow of Captain James W. Scott, and a resident of West Richmond; J. E., who formerly served as major in the United States Army, but is now retired from the service and makes his home in Malden, Massachusetts; Maria L., widow of Governor O. P. Morton, and a resident of Indianapolis; John A., who is the next of the family; Joseph H., a resident of Burt County, Nebraska; Eliza, who became the wife of W. R. Haloway, the present consul general to St. Petersburg, Russia, and died fifteen years ago; and Sarah C., widow of Captain Caleb Gill and a resident of Indianapolis.

John A. Burbank was reared in Centerville and acquired his education under the instruction of Professor Samuel K. Hoshour, one of the most celebrated teachers of that time. Among his schoolmates were Governor Morton, General Lew Wallace, Judges Peelle and Frazer and George W. Julian. Leaving school when about eighteen or nineteen years of age he began merchandising, in connection with his father, and was thus engaged for about five years. In 1858 he began business for himself, in Falls City, Nebraska, to which place he shipped a stock of goods, carrying on merchandising there for four years.

Since 1861 Mr. Burbank has been an important factor in politics in the west. He became the first mayor and the first postmaster of Falls City, Nebraska, and by President Lincoln was appointed agent for the Iowa, Sac and Troy Indian tribes, of Missouri. He resigned that office to return to Centerville in 1866, and soon afterward he went to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the wholesale crockery business for two or three years. In 1869 he was appointed governor of the territory of Dakota and ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs, filling that position for six years, with most marked ability and fidelity. It was a position requiring great tact and discretion on the part of the executive, owing to very peculiar political conditions that had arisen. In 1870 there occurred a disruption in the ranks of the Republican Party, resulting in great bitterness between the two factions. It originated in Yankton, eventually taking in all the residents of that city and extending to other sections of the state. The Democrats, taking advantage of the trouble, twice elected their candidate to congress. Later an effort was made to keep the Democratic candidate from office by declaring certain election returns illegal or irregular. Governor Burbank and his two associates on the board of election opposed this, on account of its fraudulent nature, and stood for right, regardless of party affiliations or party disturbances. The position of the governor, however, was an exceedingly difficult one --- to act with fairness toward all and at the same time rouse not the opposition of either section, thus causing greater disruption in the party. He was at all times true to duty and right, and eventually the party was reunited and carried the state to victory on its ticket.

While in the west Governor Burbank was also active in organizing the territory of Wyoming and was a candidate for governor of that commonwealth when appointed by General Grant governor of Dakota. On his removal to Yankton he at once became prominently identified with the development of the young territory. He acquired large real estate interests in Yankton and Springfield, and is still interested in property in the latter place, which owes much of its growth and advancement to his efforts in its behalf. When in Yankton he was associated with Major Hanson, Judge Brookings and Chief Justice French in the firm of J. R. Hanson & Company, owners of a large interest in the well-known Picotte plant.

In 1875 Governor Burbank left the northwest and came to Richmond, where he has since made his home. He held the position of post office inspector, having exclusive charge of all post office buildings in the United States rented by the government. He is the only person who ever held that position, for the office was discontinued at the time of his retirement therefrom. He has since lived retired in Richmond, but his interest in the political issues of the day has never flagged, and the Republican Party yet claims him among its stalwart supporters.

Mr. Burbank has been twice married. In 1856 he wedded Miss Annie E. Yates, who died in 1860, leaving two children: Nora B., wife of Judge Joseph H. Kibbey, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Mary B., wife of Harry I. Miller, superintendent of the Vandalia line. In 1884 Mr. Burbank married Miss Sarah Parry, eldest daughter of the late William Parry, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Governor Burbank is a man of strong mentality, keen discernment, great tact and resolute purpose, and was therefore well fitted for the political honors conferred upon him. His business interests have also been capably managed and have brought to him the handsome competence, which today enables him to live retired. He commands the respect of his fellow men by his sterling worth and Indiana numbers him among her honored sons.