John Ellison Burns
Lockney, Floyd County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Trained as a blacksmith by his father in Alabama, John Ellison Burns (1853-1940) brought his hand-forged tools to Texas in 1874. He settled in the new town of Lockney in 1900 and opened a blacksmith shop. As his business expanded he hired his three sons and ten craftsmen to service the freight wagons that hauled farm commodities to the railroad in Lockney. When the town developed into a rail center, the freighting business declined. However, Burns continued serving the community as a blacksmith, repairing farm machinery and implements. (1983)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Taught his trade by his father in Alabama, blacksmith John Ellison Burns brought his hand-forged tools to Texas in 1874 and settled in the new town of Lockney in 1900. His shop grew busy enough to employ his three sons and ten other craftsmen servicing the freight wagons that hauled farm goods to the railroad. When rail arrived and freighting waned, Burns kept at his forge, repairing the farm machinery that kept the region running.
Why it matters
The blacksmith was indispensable frontier infrastructure, and Burns's career captures the moment when wagon freighting gave way to the railroad on the Texas plains.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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