George W. Burnside Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1424-1425 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	A photo of George W. Burnside faces page 1424.


	GEORGE W. BURNSIDE, the able chief executive of the municipal 
government of the beautiful city of Sioux Falls, is one of the 
representative business men of the place and a progressive and public-
spirited citizen. Sioux Falls owes to him a perpetual debt of gratitude 
and approval for what he has accomplished in her behalf, and as mayor of 
the city his course has been that of a broad-minded, liberal and 
independent executive,—one whose policy has been dictated by consummate 
tact and good judgment. 

	George Washington Burnside was born in Delaware county, New York, 
on the 3d of November, 1858, being a son of Thomas and Mary (Walley) 
Burnside, the former of whom died in August. 1892, while the latter was 
summoned into eternal rest in June 1902, the father having been a 
carpenter by trade and vocation. The subject received limited 
educational advantages, having attended the public schools of his native 
county during his boyhood, while he was a student in night schools in 
Iowa for a short time. At the age of thirteen years Mr. Burnside left 
the parental roof and went to Linn county, Iowa, where he lived in the 
home of his uncle for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which, 
when fifteen years of age, he located in Cedar Rapids, that county, and 
initiated his independent career. He there learned the mason's trade, 
becoming a skilled artisan in the line, and he continued to follow his 
trade in Iowa until 1883, on the 28th of April of which year he arrived 
in Sioux Falls, where he established himself in business as a contractor 
and builder, continuing operations in this line for the ensuing three 
years. In 1888 he established himself in the omnibus and general 
transfer business, and in the following year also added a livery 
department to his enterprise, while another feature of the business was 
the undertaking department, the equipment being of the best throughout. 
His became the leading concern of the sort in the city and he 
successfully continued operations until August, 1903, when he disposed 
of the livery and transfer business, still retaining the undertaking 
branch, which he continues to conduct. Mr. Burnside was one of the 
promoters and organizers of the Citizens' Telephone Company, which was 
incorporated on the 1st of January, 1902, and which inaugurated business 
in July of the following year, with a thoroughly complete and modern 
plant. He was made vice-president of the company at the time of its 
organization, and in September, 1903, was chosen general manager, of 
which office he has since been incumbent, giving his attention to the 
duties involved and also to the superintendence of his undertaking 
business. 

	In the spring of 1886 Mr. Burnside was elected city marshal, 
serving two years. In 1893 he was elected to represent the fifth ward on 
the board of aldermen, being retained in this position five successive 
terms and making a most creditable official record. In 1898 he was the 
Republican nominee for the mayoralty and was defeated by only ten votes, 
and in 1900 he again became the nominee of his party for this office and 
was victorious at the polls, giving so able an administration as to gain 
to him distinctive popular confidence and endorsement, as was shown in 
his re-election as his own successor in 1902, the consensus of opinion 
being that the city has never had a more discriminating, independent, 
conscientious and public-spirited executive. It was in natural sequence 
that he should receive the nomination of his party for a third term, on 
the 12th of April, 1904, and in the ensuing election he again 
demonstrated his hold upon popular confidence and esteem, the result 
being his re-election by about six hundred majority. It should be noted 
in this connection that he has been from the start an uncompromising 
advocate of the municipal ownership of such public utilities as the 
water-works and the electric lighting system, and it is principally due 
to his indefatigable efforts that Sioux Falls now controls both its fine 
water and electric systems, the water-works being practically completed 
at the time of this writing. Through this system will be afforded the 
city a far superior supply of water than that given by the old system, 
controlled by eastern capital. While he met with much opposition in his 
plans for the installing of the new plant, he had the courage of his 
convictions and the determined spirit which enabled him to bring them to 
consummation, and citizens in general will have cause to commend him for 
his action for many years to come. The original water company was bonded 
for four hundred and thirty thousand dollars, while the city has 
installed a much better plant at a cost of only two hundred and ten 
thousand dollars. Under Mayor Burnside's administration the city also 
put in its own electric-lighting plant, which is modern in all respects 
and gives the best of service at a minimum cost, while he has infused 
vitality and business-like methods into all other departments of the 
municipal service, keeping all details under his personal attention and 
sparing neither time nor effort in his labors to protect and promote the 
general welfare. He is known as a most liberal and unostentatious 
supporter of charitable objects and enterprises, and in these lines his 
aid and influence are ever freely and graciously given. 

	In politics Mr. Burnside was affiliated with the Democracy until 
1896, when he gave his support to the late lamented President McKinley, 
and since that time he has given a staunch allegiance to the Republican 
party, in whose cause he is a most zealous and enthusiastic worker. 
Fraternally the Mayor is identified with Minnehaha Lodge, No. 5, Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons; Sioux Falls Chapter. No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; 
and Cyrene Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar. He is one of the 
prominent and influential members of the time-honored fraternity in the 
state, and is past grand commander of the grand commandery of Knights 
Templar of South Dakota. He is a charter member of El Riad Temple, 
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of Sioux 
Falls Lodge. No. 262, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

	On the 17th of November, 1881, Mr. Burnside was united in marriage 
to Miss Annie E. Reed, of Vinton, Iowa, and they have three children, 
Clarence Ambrose, May Reed and Elsie Elizabeth.