IRA C. BURGIN

BURGIN

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/4/2002 at 22:11:04

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, November 20, l9l9

IRA C. BURGIN, son of MR. and MRS. THOS. BURGIN, was born in Schuyler County, Mo., June l8, l899, and died near Galesburg, Ill., November 5, l9l9, aged 20 years, 4 months and l8 days.

The family came to Leroy, Iowa, in l904 and to Van Wert in l9l0. The deceased attended the public schools in Leroy, then in Van Wert. After he quit the school he went to Leroy and worked with his brother-in-law for one or two years. Then he came home and worked for his father on the railroad. This continued for about two years. In l9l6 he began working for the Western Union Telegraph Co. and was sent to Mendota, Illlinois. As a young man he was regarded as honest, industrious, full of energy and faithful to everything committed to his care. By his careful attention to duty he soon gained the good will of his employers. At this time the U.S. was engaged in the world war. The patriotic spirit of this young man prompted him to enlist in the Army. His employers granted him a leave of absence, agreeing to give him his position on his return from the war. he left his work and came home on the l6th of May, l9l8, and after one day's visit with home folks, he went to Des Moines and enlisted in the l8th. Immediately he was sent to Camp Logan, Colorado, in a short time to Camp Jackson, South Carolina. After three months he was transferred to Camp Wadsworth, S.C., and remained there until sent to Camp Dodge to be mustered out. Receiving his discharge, he went home, arriving January l, l9l9.

After a short visit with the home folks, he returned to Illinois and was given his former position. The first of August he began working for the Brown Construction Co., which was engaged in putting in electric systems in that part of Illinois. On the afternoon of the fifth of November, while working on a pole about ten feet from the ground, he lost his foothold and thinking he might fall, grabbed hold of a live wire. It was heavily charged and death was instant. For two hours the workmen tried to bring him back but all to no avail. Life was extinct. The family were at once informed of the accident and the father and one brother immediately started for Galesburg. They brought the body home, arriving in Van Wert the 8th of November. Let it be emphasized here that while in the Army of the U.S. he enlisted in the Army of the Lord. He answered the roll call to the higher life and the card sent to the Pastor of the Christian Church indicated the pledge he had taken.

IRA was known as an industrious, hard-working boy. He was ready for every task that was given him. His death came as a severe shock to the parents and the community. The mother was especially grieved. It was hard enough to see him go away to war. Then when he had returned home her heart was full of gladness and thankfulness. To see him brought home in this condition seemed more than she could bear. The parents, the brothers and sisters and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community. (Can't read last line.)

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
May 3, 2002
*He is buried in the Van Wert Cemetery