John Burroughs

Who was John Burroughs?

John Burroughs was a New Mexican businessman and the 18th Governor of New Mexico. Burroughs, a Democratic served only one-term and is remembered for honest government and introduction of the concept of a state Personnel Act to improve the quality of state workers and limit somewhat the effect of political patronage.

Burroughs attended Texas Technological College where he played on the football team and was a member of the Agg Club, Tech Chamber of Commerce, stock judging team, and student council. He graduated in 1929 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry, and later took some graduate courses at Colorado State University. He obtained his teaching certificate and, after several years of teaching agriculture in the New Mexico cities of Los Lunas and Clovis, went to work for an oil company located in the latter. In 1942 he entered the food processing industry. Eventually, he founded the "Cotton Oil Mill and Peanut Mill Company", which had branches in San Antonio, Texas and Portales, New Mexico. His Texas plant made peanut butter.

A first time representative in the New Mexico legislature from Portales in 1957, Burroughs was picked as a gubernatorial candidate for his friendly manner, photogenicity, and honest image. Burroughs beat sitting Governor Mechem by less than one percent of the vote.