Learnard, Oscar E., 1832-1911.

Oscar Learnard was born in Fairfax, VT. He attended Bakersfield Academy and entered Norwich University in 1852. He left Norwich in 1854. Next, Learnard attended Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He spent the summer of 1855 in Ohio and in the fall went to Lawrence, KS, where he took an active part in the Free State Cavalry. Later, he was instrumental in the founding of the town of Burlington, KS, which was named after Burlington, VT. He also served as a member of the Free State Territorial Legislature in 1857. During the Civil War, Learnard was commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 1st Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. He married Mary Sophia Eldridge in 1862 and resigned from the army in 1863.