John Kline Burgess was born at Noblesville, Indiana in 1874. Burgess taught school in Henry County, served as clerk of the Henry Circuit Court. He assisted in organizing the Farmer National Banks in Newcastle, Mooreland, and Sulpher Springs, Indiana. He was also active in real estate and loan businesses.

 In September 1920, a group of businessmen from Noblesville and Indianapolis, Indiana formed a company to drill for oil in Knox County Indiana. The group members were Sam Fisher, Fred E. Heylmann, Albert R. Haas, W. J. McCullough, Dr. Joe D. Sturdevant, E. L. Sturdevant, Charles J. Offett, H. O. Cottingham, O. H. Bradway, Mrs. O. H. Bradway, John K. Burgess, O. R. Burgess, W. E. Longley, Dr. A. D. Booth, George Aikin, and E. A. Thomas. John K. Burgess was chosen to act as trustee for these stockholders to the agreement for oil and gas development entered into between the stockholders and E. G. Cottingham of Robinson Illinois.

Information found within collection.
Indiana and Indianans: a history of aboriginal and territorial Indiana and the century of statehood, Dunn, Jacob Piatt, American Historical Society, 1919, V. 5, 1948-49.

The collection consists of legal documents and letters between the company’s partners and the land lessor. Also included is correspondence with E. G. Cottingham concerning the drilling progress and receipts from drilling company suppliers.  

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Box 1.