Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1052.
 
MARK L. BURNS

     a wide awake and progressive real estate man of Klamath Falls, was born
near the old Spanish grant on Sand creek, Tulare county, California, on March 9,
1873. Two years later he came with his parents to Wilderville, Josephine county,
Oregon, and was raised on the farm, receiving a good education from the public
schools of Josephine county. Also he studied three years in a private high
school conducted by Prof. John H. Robinson. He was contented to remain on the
farm until he reached life's majority, at which time he assumed responsibilities
for himself, taking up mining as his first venture. He operated on the Illinois
river in his home county and succeeded in locating some fine old channel
diggings and worked on the same for two years successfully. He was variously
engaged until 1900, when he selected Klamath Falls for a business point and came
here in charge of a large band of cattle which he took to Fort Klamath and sold.
He engaged in the mercantile business there for a while; then sold out and
located in the town of Klamath Falls.  At first he opened a butcher shop but
sold the same in 1903 and engaged in real estate and insurance and is now
handling a very excellent business. He is the agent for the Mutual Life
Insurance Company and has made a marked success in that line. Mr. Burns is an
up-to-date man, full of energy and believes in going right after business, which
is the secret of his success. He is a genial man, social and kindly disposed and
the result is, he has won many friends. His close application to business and
perseverance, backed by good natural ability. have brought him the business he
has sought for and he is considered one of the most successful men of the town.
In political matters, Mr. Burns is a Democrat and takes a keen interest in the
campaigns as well as in every movement that tends to build up the country.
Although his residence has not been so long in Klamath county as some of the
pioneers yet he has so thoroughly identified himself with its interests that no
work purporting to mention the leading men could with impunity omit his name. He
has accumulated a nice property both in Klamath Falls and in farm holdings and
is one of the well to do men of the country.
     The father of our subject is Francis G. Burns, a distant relative of the
noted poet Burns, and was born in Ohio, whence he removed to Michigan, where he
received his education. At the age of seventeen he crossed the plains to
Tuolumne county, California, and engaged in placer mining, which occupied him
for some time. Later, he married Miss Caroline, the daughter of James and Susan
Woody, pioneers of Oregon. Later he and his wife removed to Grant's Pass,
Oregon, where they now reside. They are parents of the following named children
: Sarah L., James T., Mark L., who is our
subject, Robert G., Wiley, Mary J., Caroline, Frank, William J., John S., and
Harvey. The last named one is deceased.
     At Grant's Pass, Oregon, on February 25, 1894, Mr. Burns married Miss Emma
S. Longenbaker, the daughter of John and Margaret Longenbaker, natives of
Germany, who came to this country before the Civil war.  Mr. Longenbaker is a
veteran of that struggle and now resides at Grant's Pass, Oregon. To Mr. and
Mrs. Burns, the following named children have been born, Lena M., Raymond L.,
Elsie M., John F., Albert, Caroline and Marie.
     Mr. Burns is a member of the K. 0. T. M. and in that as in everything else
he undertakes, he is an enthusiastic and ardent worker. He and his wife are
highly esteemed people and have many friends in the places wdiere they have
dwelt.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.