Biography, James Wesley Burney, Madison County, AR

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Submitted by: Carole Hammett & Rhonda Jameson
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James Wesley BURNEY was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., December 4. 1825, and
has resided in Madison County, Ark., longer than any other man in the county.
His father, Charles BURNEY, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came with his
father to America, locating in North Carolina, then in Tennessee, and
afterward in Alabama. The grandfather, Samuel BURNEY, served throughout the
Revolutionary War, and was flag-bearer at the battle of Bunker Hill. He died
in Lauderdale County, Ala., in 1848, and was buried with military honors.
Charles BURNEY was a farmer, and during the late war, owing to the persecution
he was obliged to undergo at the hands of the Southern sympathizers, was
compelled to leave Alabama. He was a strong Union man. 

He was married to Mary KING, and by her became the father of nine children,
only four of whom are living: Carson P., Frances (wife of David COOK), James
Wesley and John F. The mother died in Lawrence Co, MO. in 1874, being about
seventy-three years of age, and the father died near Sedalia, Mo., in 1870,
aged seventy. 

Mrs. BURNEY'S parents were born in Sheffield, England, and after coming to the
United States located first in South Carolina, then in Alabama, and lastly in
Misssouri. 

James Wesley BURNEY, whose name heads this sketch, was married at the age of
nineteen years to Elizabeth RENICK, who was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in
1828, and a daughter of William RENICK. Ten children blessed their union:
Thomas J. (deceased), Phoebe Ann (wife of Thomas NEAL), William Pickens
(deceased), Mary Matilda (wife of Samuel WETHERS). Robert R., John M.
(deceased), Haswell K., Louisa Jane (wife of Jacob NORRIS), Frank X. and
Rebecca E. 

When first married Mr. BURNEY followed the occupation of farming, and the
following nineteen years were spent at marble cutting and engraving, which he
had learned at Fayetteville, Ark. He served in Company D., First Arkansas
Infantry, United Sates Army, and was honorably discharged August 10, 1865. He
participated in mamy battles, and served as orderly-sergeant. He is a
Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the
Baptist Church." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR...)