He was born during his family's removal from the Chickasaw lands in northern Mississippi.
He was named after the steamboat captain of the ship that transported his family to Indian Territory.
The family brought eighteen slaves with them during their removal and settled in Burneyville.
[1] Burney attended the Chickasaw Orphans School in Tishomingo and enlisted in the Indian cavalry loyal to the Confederate States of America, serving in Shocoe's battalion.
[1] In 1878, Burney ran for Governor of the Chickasaw Nation against Cyrus Harris and won by 5-votes.