Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 883 - 884

ALPHONSO BURNELL. Prominent among the leading farmers and prosperous citizens of Sedgwick County may be found the name of the gentleman of whom this sketch is written, who is quoted among the former as an influential citizen and a first-class agriculturist. His home is situated on section 15, Rockford Township, where he owns 160 acres of land on the northwest quarter, and 160 acres, the southwest quarter of section 10 adjoining. He came to Kansas in 1871, and together with his son pre-empted the 320 acres where he now lives, on which he has made all the improvements that are found upon it to-day.

            Mr. Burnell was born in Cummington, Mass., March 21, 1822, and is the son of Jason and Nancy (Shaw) Burnell, both of whom were also natives of the old Bay State. His father was a native of Cummington, of French ancestry, and his mother was born in Boston, of English descent. The former was by occupation a farmer in his latter years, but had labored quite successfully at the wagon-maker's trade previously. He was a natural genius in his way, like many other Yankees, and succeeded in almost everything that he undertook. He removed to Ohio, and thence in 1844 the family moved to Des Moines County, Iowa, where, March 9, 1854, the father was called away by death. His wife survived him for several years, and finally passed to her rest.

            The subject of this sketch received his education in the excellent schools of his native State, and made his home with his parents until his marriage, which took place Dec. 27, 1849, at which time he led to the marriage altar Miss Candace P. Barbe, the daughter of Peter and Sarah (DeLaughder) Barbe, and born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1827. Her father was of German descent, and died May 12, 1854; the mother, who survived her husband about seven years, was of German and French ancestry. Her father was for a long period engaged in the practice of medicine, but later in life devoted his entire attention to farming.

            After his marriage Mr. Burnell commenced farming operations in Lee County, Iowa, where he continued for about twenty-two years. While in that neighborhood he was engaged principally in the breeding and raising of fine stock, that portion of the Hawkeye State being noted for that line of business. In 1871 he came to Kansas, as above mentioned, pre-empted 160 acres of land, and entered upon its cultivation. The place at that time lay entirely in an uncultivated state "as new created as if in all the freshness of childhood," but being imbued with a large amount of energy, perseverance and industry, he entered at once upon its cultivation and improvement. He has brought the land to a remarkable state of tillage, and set out a fine orchard and an abundance of small fruit, and to-day it is one of the finest farms in this portion of the county. Considerable of his time and attention is devoted to stock interests, and he has a fine herd of horses and cattle, and a large flock of fine sheep.

            The family of Mr. and Mrs. Burnell comprises five children, of whom the following is a record: Alcott J., who was born Feb. 20, 1856; Olive V., whose birth took place March 12, 1859, married Robert Ramsay, a native of Pennsylvania, and lives in Morton County, Kan.; Sanford E., whose birth took place April 30, 1861, is engaged in farming in Morton County; Frank W., who was born Oct. 16, 1863, is also farming in Morton County; and Alphonso D., the day of whose birth was March 19, 1868, is at home.

            Mrs. Burnell is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by a blameless life sets an excellent example to the rising generation. Mr. Burnell is a straight and stanch Democrat in his politics, and in the exercise of his elective franchise supports the candidates offered by that party without question. He has held several of the more important offices of the township, and is a leading and influential member of the community.

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