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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOEL BURNETT, residing on section 15, Spring Creek Township, was born in Bedford County, Va., April 11, 1832, and is the son of James and Hannah Burnett, natives of Virginia, and both of whom died in the State of Ohio. Joel Burnett came from Ohio to Mahaska County about the year 1870, and followed engineering in Oskaloosa for eight years, and at the sawmill of James Loughridge on section 15, this township, for three years. Mr. Burnett was married, Sept. 21, 1856, to Rachel L. Taylor, who was born Oct. 9, 1839, and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Dercy J. (Searl) Taylor. Mr. Burnett enlisted Sept. 18, 1861, in Co. F, 56th Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. George Wilhelm, Col. Peter Kinney commanding. He was Sergeant in that company, serving as such until September, 1863. He participated in the capture of Ft. Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, going thence to Helena, Ark., and participating in all the raids and skirmishes in which that regiment was engaged, also the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and the siege of Vicksburg, and in the battle of Champion Hills received a severe wound, by reason of which he was ultimately discharged. Mr. Burnett is a member of Mahaska Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F., of Oskaloosa, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican. He is an industrious, hard-working man, thoroughly competent as an engineer, genial and accommodating in business matters, and enjoying the respect and confidence of all.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy