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OSCAR BURNETT is a comparatively recent recruit of the farming and stock-raising community of this county. He is the proprietor of a farm in Loami Township, which is under excellent improvement and where he is extensively engaged in buying, feeding and shipping cattle. A native of Morgan County, our subject was born February 17, 1862. His father, George W. Burnett, was also a native of that part of Illinois, a son of one of its pioneer families. His father Isom Burnett, of Kentucky, was one of the first to settle in Morgan County, where he was actively engaged as a farmer for many years. His honorable career was brought to a close in 1885, when he was nearly eighty years old. The father of our subject was reared amid the pioneer scenes of his birthplace and has always been a resident of Morgan County. He is a prominent citizen and is very influential in his community. He is wealthy and one of the largest landowners of the county, he having thirteen hundred and fifty acres of land in his possession. He was happily married in early life to Mary J. McCormick, a native of Illinois, and to them have come eight children, of whom seven are living. Mrs. Burnett is a devoted Christian woman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The gentleman of whom we write received his education in the local district schools of his native county. Under his father's instruction he early became a good practical farmer, and at the age of twenty years adopted that calling for his life work. In the month of February, 1887, he removed to this county, and took up his residence in Loami Township. He is the proprietor of a valuable farm in this locality which comprises two hundred and forty acres of land of exceeding fertility, which is well adapted to stock-raising purposes, for which Mr. Burnett uses it in part.

Mr. and Mrs. Burnett have established an attractive, hospitable home in our midst, and all who cross its threshold are sure of a friendly and cordial welcome, and an invitation to share its comforts. The host and his amiable wife were united in marriage October 16, 1884, and to them has come one child, Ed L. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Burnett was Miss Nancy Adams, and she is, like her husband, a native of Morgan County, where she was born March 20, 1862. She is a daughter of Littleton and Elizabeth (Chrisman) Adams, natives respectively of North Caroline and Illinois. Her mother died in 1883. Her father pays exclusive attention to farming, in which he has been more than ordinarily prospered, and at one time owned eight hundred acres of land.

Our subject, though a young man, has already attained an assured position among the substantial men of his calling in this county, as he is possessed of an indomitable will, untiring perseverance, and an energetic character. While a resident of Morgan County he took an active part in politics, and was influential in the ranks of the Republican party. He has proved a good acquisition to the citizenship of this locality, and is now one of its most practical and wide-awake officials, he being a School Treasurer of the township.