Rev. B. R. Sanburn is one of a family of six children, and was born in Lafayette County, Mo., August 5, 1852. He remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age, and was married September 11, 1879, to Miss Fannie D. Owens, a daughter of Thomas Owens, from Mason County, Ky. On coming to Morgan County, Mo., in the spring of 1884, he purchased his present farm, comprising 465 acres, seventy-five being under cultivation, and one hundred ready for the plow. The rest of the farm is in timber and mineral land. His residence is comfortable and substantial, and is situated on a very high hill, overlooking Little Buffalo Creek. Mr. Sanburn is a Missionary Baptist minister, and has a very fine library of scientific works, as well as numerous volumes of history and fiction. He received an excellent education in the common schools during his boyhood, but still continues to pursue his studies. He has always supported the principles of the Democratic party, and has shown his brotherly spirit by joining the Masonic fraternity. His wife is also an earnest worker in the church, and is a true Christian in every respect. His brother, William Sanburn, was holding the Chair of Mathematics in Warrensburg Normal at the time of his death.

History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.