Artist: Othmar J. Hoffler (1893–1954)
Samuel “Burk” Burnett
BURNETT, SAMUEL “BURK” (1849–1922), inducted between 1936–1948
“Burk” Burnett was a prominent Texas rancher, banker, and oilman. Burnett’s family moved to Denton County, Texas, from Missouri, when he was a child. As a teenager, he led his first cattle drive along the Chisholm Trail and soon after, made his first cattle purchase, which came with ownership of a brand, 6666. Four Sixes Ranch would become one of the largest cattle empires in Texas history. In the 1870s and 1880s, he negotiated lease agreements with his friend, Comanche chief Quanah Parker, and started to move cattle to Oklahoma Territory. He grazed up to 10,000 cattle on 300,000 acres there until the territory was opened to homesteading. Burnett then asked President Teddy Roosevelt for time to relocate the cattle operation. Between 1900 and 1903, Burnett purchased more than a quarter million acres in Carson and King counties, Texas, and expanded his operation to 20,000 head. At Roosevelt’s suggestion, Burkburnett, Texas, was named for him. After the discovery of oil on his land in 1921, Burnett’s wealth increased dramatically. He turned the ranch over to his son and devoted his time to oil and banking. Burk Burnett was treasurer of the Stock-Raiser Association of North-West Texas and president of both the National Feeders and Breeders Association and the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show.
Source: Saddle & Sirloin Guidebook 2026, p. 58