JANE (MCWHIRTER) BURNS

MCWHIRTER, BURNS, MCCLUNG, MENDENHALL, COOPER, MURDOK

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 9/18/2002 at 16:28:08

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, June l2, l924

JANE MCWHIRTER was born Nov. l2, l832, at Barr, Scotland. She was the daughter of ROBERT and SARAH MCWHIRTER. She grew into young womanhood here and at the age of eighteen, was married to JOHN BURNS, On June 6, l85l, by James McMaster, Parish Minister of the Barr. She united with the United Free Presbyterian Church in her childhood and remained a faithful consistent Christian to the end.

A short time after their marriage, MR. and MRS. BURNS came to America, their trip taking thirty days, the vessel being what was then called a sailboat. On their arrival they settled near Auburn, N.Y. In l864, they moved to Parkersburg, W. Va., and in l870, they came to Garden Grove, Iowa, settling in the old homestead. Thus they were pioneers in three different localities and well knew the hardships and privations of pioneer life. But they both nobly did their part towards building up and sustaining their home communities.

They moved to Garden Grove in February, l9l5. Their union was blessed with six children, ROBERT W., of Sansarc, South Dakota; MRS. SARAH J. MCCLUNG, of Garden Grove; MARY A., who died April 6, l887; AGNES E., and JOHN A., both of Garden Grove; MRS. IDA B. MENDENHALL, of High Point. JOHN BURNS, the husband and father died Jan. l8, l890. There are eight grandchildren living and two sisters, MRS. AGNES COOPER and MRS. MARY MURDOK, both residents of Cross Hill, Scotland. On Friady evening at about ten o'clock, surrounded by her chidlren, MRS. BURNS passed peacefully to her Heavenly reward.

Many months of ill health preceded her final illness and though the latter was marked by much suffering, yet it was borne with a sweet patience and a sunny cheerfulness that was one of the strong characteristics of her life of noble Christian ideals, and broad charities, she was an inspiration to better (*can't read - large torn area of paper) feeling her fine qualities of womanhood, and being the better thereby. A devoted loving wife, mother, a neighbor and friend whose worth was proved many times by repeated acts of kindness and courtesy. In the passing of MRS. BURNS, our community has lost a splendid citizen, a fine Christian woman and her family have been bereft of a dearly loved mother whose dearest wish was to serve and make happier those about her.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church and were conducted by her Pastor, Rev. Huffman. A ladies' quartet composed of Mesdames W.C. Ward, W.A. Williams, Jas. Brown and Miss Louise Flanagan, with Mrs. Woodbury at the organ, sang several appropriate numbers and Mrs. Ward sang a solo, "God Will Take Care of You." Many beautiful floral tributes gave evidence of the affection and esteem felt for MRS. BURNS, and the deepest sympathy of our community is extended to the sorrowing family. A good woman is gone, a long and useful life ended.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
September l4, 2002