David Patterson Burt was born September 11, 1852, in Red Butte Canyon, Salt Lake County, to John Davidson and Elizabeth Burt. The family lived in a wagon in the canyon as his father worked in a quarry cutting rock to be used for constructing buildings on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. A cutback in work resulted in the family moving to Brigham City where David lived the rest of his life.
In his youth, David worked long hours on the family farm which left little time for recreation or schooling. When he married Louisa Wrighton, a young school teacher, she became his wife as well as his teacher and helped him close the gap in his education.
Louisa’s father William was a successful carpenter, and he welcomed David as an apprentice. Together they erected many buildings in Brigham City. David was also a Box Elder County Assessor, a School Trustee, and a District Road Supervisor. One of his major accomplishments was the distribution of the Brigham City irrigation water rights – a system still in use today.
David was interested in the theater and appeared in many plays at the Brigham City Opera House. In later years, he served as the Manager of the Opera House and booked traveling theater groups.
David and Louisa celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on November 23, 1924. He died at home a few weeks later on December 6, 1924.
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