Photograph of James F. BURNS who was the 10th Sheriff of Los Angeles County CA from 1868-1871

Photograph of James F. BURNS who was the 20th Sheriff of Los Angeles County from 1868-1871

Burns with his third wife Josephine Carpenter Hill, widow of Thomas W. Carpenter.

He second wife moved to Los Angeles and sued him for bigamy, though he was acquitted.

JAMES F. BURNS, proprietor of the New York Hotel, a first-class house in every particular. He located near Scribner, Dodge County., Neb., in 1873; farmed one year; then returned to Los Angeles, Cal. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., September 27, 1831. His parents moved to Kalamazoo County, Mich., in 1841. Mr. B. first learned the ax manufacturer's trade in the latter place, and lived there until 1853, during the time at intervals attending the Leona Academy in Jackson, Mich., completing four terms. He then engaged in teaching about a year in Michigan, and one year in Pennsylvania, going to Los Angeles, Cal., first in 1853, and settling, where he engaged in teaching two years; then engaged in merchandising on his own account until 1859, keeping a general stock of goods. He was Associate Judge of the Criminal Court two years, after which he was elected City Treasurer five successive terms, which office he filled with credit to himself and friends; while serving in the office the last year, he was elected Sheriff of his county, which office he held four years by the unanimous vote of the people. He then, in 1873, came to Nebraska and invested in real estate in Dodge County. Returned to California in 1874, having previously been engaged extensively in real estate, he went to settle up the business, remaining until 1877, and returned to Nebraska, where he has since lived. He was chosen State Senator of the Legislature of Nebraska in the fall of 1880, and served two years. He was married in Nevada City, Cal., in February, 1873, to Sarah A. Holmes, of Hartford, R. I. He has one son, Thomas E., now Assistant Superintendent of the City Water-Works in Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. B. is a member of the orders of Masonry, including Knights Templar Commandery. During his term of office as Sheriff in Los Angeles, Cal., he was noted for being a bold and intrepid officer, making over two hundred captures of criminals, including the notorious highway man and murderer Buckskin Bill, whom Mr. B. tracked for over four months, and finally captured him in the Peninsula of Old California, in Mexican Territory, for which he received the reward of $5,000 paid by the state of California for this noted desperado.

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