Biography of James M. Burnett, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
II, page 226, 1923.

BURNETT, JAMES M.  After a long and successful career as one of the representative merchants 
of Tampa, JAMES M. BURNETT is now rendering a valued service to Hillsborough County in the 
office of county tax collector.  His life has been spent within the confines of the county, 
and his is one of the pioneer families in this part of the state.  So long has he been a 
resident of Tampa that he can recall when there were but four stores here, and when a mere 
handful of people constituted all of the citizens of what is now one of the most flourishing 
municipalities of the state.

The birth of JAMES M. BURNETT took place in Hillsborough County, October 26, 1870, and he 
is a son of BRITTON J. and MACY A. (KICKLEGHLER) BURNETT, the former of whom was also born 
in Hillsborough County, in February, 1849, and spent his entire life here, all of his active 
years being engaged in farming and stock raising.  He is deceased, but his widow survives 
and is living at Tampa.  The paternal grandfather, LABON BURNETT, was born in Virginia, but 
became one of the pioneers of Hillsborough County, locating in this region prior to the war 
with the Seminoles, which resulted in their being driven from this part of the state.  The 
BURNETT family is of English origin, but has long been established in this country.  On his 
mother's side JAMES M. BURNETT is also of English extraction.  He is the second of the ten 
children of his parents, all of whom were born in Florida, seven of whom are still living 
and residents of Florida.

Growing up in his native county, JAMES M. BURNETT attended its schools and the State Normal 
School, and prepared himself for the profession of teaching, but in 1897 entered, instead, 
the mercantile field, and his subsequent success in it proved the wisdom of his choice.  In 
his long career as a merchant Mr. BURNETT formed many connections and made countless friends, 
and when he came before the public in 1920 as the candidate of his party for county tax 
collector he received a very strong support, and was elected by a gratifying majority.  
Taking hold of the affairs of his office, he has proven fully equal to its responsibilities 
and exactions, and this in spite of the trying period of the reconstruction epoch.

In 1897 Mr. BURNETT married LUCY BRICE, of Brooks County, Georgia, and they have four 
children living, and one who is deceased, namely:  BRICE B., LUCILE, SYMMES, JAMES M. 
(deceased) and DOROTHY.  The family all belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which Mr. BURNETT is exceptionally active, serving as member and chairman of the Board 
of Trustees.  Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree A. A. S. R. Mason and Shriner 
and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World.  It is a source of 
pride to Mr. BURNETT that he has been able to develop with his home city, giving to it 
the best of his ability, forwarding many projects for its development, and watching over 
its welfare with an interest no outsider could experience.