Burnham, Benjamin Francis "Francis" 1851 - 1934

BURNHAM, EVANS, BROWN, HARRINGTON, BROUN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/9/2016 at 14:56:03

Clayton County Register, Thur., 31 May 1934.

Benjamin Francis Burnham, pioneer resident of Farmersburg, Ia., passed away at his home there on Sunday, May 27, 1934, after weeks of illness, aged eighty-two years and ten months.

He was born July 24, 1851, at Thedford, Vermont, one of nine children born to Benjamin and Julia Evans Burnham. He came with his parents to Farmersburg township when three years of age, settling on what is known as the old Burnham farm, which was his home until his death.

On March 16, 1873, he was united in marriage with Martha Ann Brown. To this union were born five children, one of whom, a daughter, Anna, passed away at the age of fourteen years. His wife preceded him in death in 1923. Seven brothers and sisters, who grew to manhood and womanhood here have all passed away and the oldest brother died in the Vermont home in childhood.

Mr. Burnham is survived by one son, Ray, and three daughters, Grace, Luella and Caddie, all at home; besides a brother-in-law, D. E. Harrington of Postville, Ia.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Alice E. Broun of Alexanddria, S. Dak.; and several nieces and nephews.

Coming to Clayton county when a boy of three, Mr. Burnham's life for eighty years has been closely interwoven with the history of Farmersburg township. The journey from the old Vermont home was made by train and stagecoach west to the Mississippi river, and up by steamboat to McGregor. His boyhood was passed amid the hardships of early pioneer life in a new community. It was after his arrival that the village of Windsor grew up on the prairie, the name later being changed to Farmersburg. He saw the first railroad built across the prairie; the old wagon trails give place to surveyed roads and paved highways; the log school-house which he attended succeeded by the modern high school; the ox-cart replaced by the automobile and the singing school by the movies.

In those early times neighbors were of paramount importance and the early traditions of true hospitality have been preserved in the Burnham home till the present time. It has always been the meeting place of a wide circle of friends who knew Mr. Burnham for a true neighbor and constant friend. His long life was devoted chiefly to the interests of his home and family who mourn the loss of a loving father.

----------------.
He is called "Francis" in his daughters obits.