Anna Cortner was born October 12, 1919, and her death on April 19, 2015, at age 95, was the end of a local pioneer generation. She is this week’s Grave of the Week.
The Cortners ran lumber mills in the early 1900s near Sequoia Park. Anna grew up in the mountains of Central California at various mill camps and at the family home in Eshom Valley. The logging operations were initially run with bull teams, which refers to a group of oxen or steers that dragged the lumber. These teams were later replaced by the donkey steam engine, a steam powered machine that hauled logs on a cable system. Anna’s two brothers worked the mills with their father and her two sisters helped their mother cook without electricity or running water.
Anna loved music, horseback riding, and learning. She learned in a one room school house in Eshom Valley. The family would spend time together at Saturday night dances the community would hold. Anna’s mother played violin while the girls played piano and guitar.
She graduated from Woodlake High School in 1938 and went to business school in Fresno. Later, she returned to Woodlake High as secretary to the principal.
In 1942, Anna married Joe Burnside. They had a daughter, Joan, in 1948. The young family would spend time with Anna’s parents and siblings camping and fishing.
Joe passed in 1968. Anna was survived by her daughter, son-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
If you happen to have any stories about the Cortners or Burnsides, please feel free to share. If you have any “pioneer” stories of your family, please share them as well. The history of our wonderful community is always of interest and welcome.
Message if you know anyone who should be featured on Grave of the Week. Please include any information about the person’s life and where the grave is located.
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