Hiram Burnett - Career

Career

He remained in San Francisco until 1855, and then came to Port Gamble, Washington under engagement with the Puget Mill Company, (a company controlled by Pope & Talbot) as superintendent of their planing mill, in 1856 he returned to time East for his family, but instead of returning at once to the Pacific coast he located near Lawrence, Kansas. While in Massachusetts he was influenced by the abolitionist Rev. Thomas Wentworth Higginson to join the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Company and take a part in the struggle known as Bleeding Kansas.

After a short time, however, he became dissatisfied with that State, and in 1856 he removed to Puget Sound again, returning to the employ of the Port Gamble mill, in his old position of superintendent. In 1862 he removed his family to Seattle, in order to improve the educational advantages of his children. He was one of the parents who served at times as a teacher.

At that time he purchased four lots on Fourth street, between Marion and Columbia, (currently 2009 the Rainier Club) and subsequently added two more lots, at an average price of $100 each. His was the first house erected on Fourth street. After thus providing a home for his family, he returned to mill work in various localities, at which he continued until 1878, when he retired from active labor and permanently settled in Seattle and began improving his property, which is now well covered with substantial houses for tenants.

In 1880 he bought 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land at Edgewater, in Lake Union addition, which he subdivided and sold for residence purposes, except four lots on time corner of Richard and Henry streets, upon which, in the summer of 1890, he erected an elegant and spacious residence, overlooking the beautiful lake, where he now resides in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his labors, accompanied by his dear wife, the companion of his pioneer struggles.