Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-08-27
THE STATE.
vHRITABLE PIONEER GONE.
Death Of Hon John Burt, One Of Michigan's
Most Active Men.

John Burt, one of the pioneers OF this
state, died at his home in Detroit on the
10th inst
Mr.. Burt was born in Corning, N. ", in
1913, and removed to Michigan ut the age
Of 10, settling at Mt. Vernon, Macomb
county, 30 miles north of Detroit His
father was the eminent Judge William A.
Burt, inventor OF the solar compass an in
vention that proved of incalculable benefit
in the development OF the Lake Superior
country, and has been worth many mil
lions of dollars TO the general government.
Neither Judge Burt in his life nor have his
heirs since his death been able to obtain
either renewal of the patent, or Il
moderate recompense as n return for the
priceless benefits received by the
government as the fruit of his genius
Judge Burt at an early day turned his
attention TO the development of the upper
peninsula mining region and TO "A large
portion of the original surveys of all the
great iron and copper mineral districts of
the Lake superior country Is attached the
name of Burt either father or sons. These
original SURVEYS of the family embraced
not only the Marquette iron district. but
also the Menominee, the Felch, the newly
developed AgOgeebic, and the great copper
bearing ranges as well. The plats and
field notes covering these great mineral
district, have proven the explorers faith
full guide, and there is to day hardly
known large deposit of copper or IRON in
all these several great districts, whose ex-
istence is not indicated by the observa.
tions, notes and specimens of rocks filed
with the original survey OF the Burts.
John Burt was in the upper peninsuar
as early as 1910 as deputy United States
surveyor with party who were OK tend-
ing the first surveys north OF the straits OF
Mackinac. He plated what is now the
business and residence portion of the city
of Marquette, as well as lshpeming in
what has for quarter of q century been
the world greatest iron mine, the Lake
Superior, known only Tor years and still
com monty called the Burt mine. In 1851
he went to Marquette with n force of
III echanics and laborers, and during the
summer of that year built dam at the
mouth OF the Carp river. lie rented the
first saw mill built in Marquette county,
and in that mill was cut the lumber for
the first school house, the first church, the
first courthouse, the first railroad, and
the first iron oil tank in Marquette.
The falls Of st. Marys river
then barred the route for
commerce around the lakes, and Mir.
Burt was one of the first to suggest the
removal of this barrier by building IA ship
canal. He brought the national character
of the proposed canal before congress at
the session of lSjl-2 and secured n grant of
money and lands in aid Of the undertake
ing. When the canal was completed. in
lS55, Mr.. Burt was commissioned by the
governor of the state 10 formally accept
1t. He was the first superintendent of the
canal, and he subsequently revised and
superintendent the construction of the
locks, which were the largest OF their kind
when built. Mr.. Burt became the first
president of one of the first railroads pro-
Jected under the grants of land, and,
while in Washington, in the interest of the
ship canal, was influential in getting the
land grants through congress. The inter
est of the railroad. the Bay de Noquet and
Marquette became merged in the two ex-
listing roads-the II II. d o.. and the pen
insula division of the &. q y. w. railway.
With an open water way to Lake Superior
and railroad to the Burt mine, began the
career Of the iron industry in Marquette
county.
Besides his other enterprises Mr.. Burt
materially aided the pioneer press of the
upper peninsula. Over 20 years ago he
got control of the Lake Superior Journal,
then published at Sault Ste. Marie. and re-
moved the p ant To Marquette. The name
of the paper was afterwards changed TO
the Marquette Mining Journal. In lS6S
Mr.. Burt was elected presidential elector
at large.
Mr. Burt was married in 1895, and the
lady who shared his welded life for over
half a century survives him. On the 81 OF
last December the venerable couple cele
brated their golden wedding. \ pleasant
recollection OF the event was the pre,enta-
ton OF testimonial and gold medal 20
Mr.. Burt by the leading citizens of Mar
quette. an appreciation of his service,
in developing the upper peninsula. The
me- Is made of gold from the Ropes
~ .ud was accompanied with a purse
ois $50 Rev Mr. Grene as the repre-
sentative Of the Marquette Baptist church,
rendered Mr.. Burt set of kindly resolu-
ton, with so in gold. The Marquette
journal rendered pleasing congratula-
tory address which was read by Edgar
Weeks.
Three children, besides hi, wife, survive
him.