John Burnside

(1818-1883?)

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 21, 1818, John Burnside learned the machinist’s trade at a young age. He and his wife, Margaret McIntosh, came to America in 1848, and Burnside spent the first six months in New Orleans working at the mint. They then moved to St. Louis, where he worked for Sam Gaty for seven years. By 1855 they were living in St. Joseph, MO, where he later became a senior member of the firm of Burnside, Crowther & Rogers, an iron foundry and machine shop at 8^th and Messanie Streets.

Burnside was a charter member of the St. Joseph Historical Society in 1867, a councilman from the Fourth Ward in 1871 and 1872, and a York Rite Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and the Eastern Star. He also belonged to the Caledonian, the Knights of Pythias, and the I.O.O.F.

Having been listed in the 1881-82 St. Joseph City Directory but not listed in the 1883 addition, it is speculated that Burnside passed away in late 1882 or 1883, though no documents have been found to substantiate that assumption.

Coy, R. E. (Ed.). (1955, Fall). Saint Joseph Historical Society: John Burnside. Museum Graphic, 7(4), 10-11.

George & Craig’s annual city directory of the inhabitants, manufacturing, establishments, business firms, etc. in the city of St. Joseph, 1881-2. St. Joseph, MO: John Combe.

History of Buchanan County, Missouri: A history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. (1881). St. Joseph, MO: St. Joseph Steam Printing.