Burgess, William 1826-1893

BURGESS, GAINWAY, JENSEN, WELLS, CHAMBERS

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/23/2003 at 01:53:16

Died - Sept. 5, Mr. Wm. Burgess at his home in Luana. He had been failing about a year, but suffered most during the last six months. Heart disease was the cause of his suffering and death.

A wife, one son and three daughters are left to mourn husband and father. The children are all married.

Mr. Burgess was an early settler here, was a stock buyer, also farmer. He died at the age of sixty-eight years.

The friends of the family extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones. Mr. and Mrs. Wells, of Cresco, were in attendance upon the funeral, also Mrs. Jensen, of Leroy, Minn., and Mrs. Chambers, of South Dakota.

~Elkader Argus, Wednesday morning, September 13, 1893 (Luana Locals column)

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OBITUARY.
From the Monona Leader - William Burgess, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1826; he came to America with his parents when 9 years of age, the family taking up their residence at Detroit, Michigan. Here William received his education.

In 1851 he was married to Helen Gainway and the following year came to Clayton County and settled in this township.

He engaged in farming and of late years has been a buyer of cattle, hogs, horses and produce, in connection with a large landed estate. In these thirty-six years of an active and energetic life he had become widely and favorable known throughout Northern Iowa.

His home was one of liberal hospitality, where the weary traveler found rest and comfort, many of the early settlers finding pleasure under the Burgess roof oft times profiting by the knowledge and experience the young farmer had acquired under his parental instruction. He was thorough in business matters and quite successful in the management of his affairs. Though rather eccentric, he was whole-souled, genial, friendly and neighborly.

Five children were born to him, four of whom are now living and were present at the funeral obsequies. Two sisters, one of whom was present with him at his death, the other resides in Kansas. The wife mourns the loss of a good husband, the children an indulgent parent, the sisters an honored brother, the community a neighbor and citizen highly respected.

~Postville Review (Allamakee co.) September 16, 1893