John F. Burns

BURNS

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 3/31/2015 at 00:01:04

John F. Burns is properly considered the pioneer of the fancy grocery business in Dubuque. He is a son of John F. and Bridget Burns, who were of Irish ancestry and came from Paterson, New Jersey, to Dubuque in the thirties and consequently were among the earliest pioneers in this locality.

These parents were hard-working and God-fearing people and were devout adherents of the Roman Catholic religion. Here the father died in 1861, and the mother in
1897, when seventy-six years old. John F. Burns, the subject of this sketch, was born in Dubuque, July 16. 1858, and has passed practically his entire life here. His career has been quiet and unostentatious and has gained for him many warm and lasting friendships which are so essential to the happiness of this passing existence.

In early youth he attended the public and parochial schools, and when fourteen years old entered the grocery store of Retallick & Burns as a clerk. He thus continued until 1881, and then succeeded to the business and successfully conducted it until 1908, when he retired from active participation in business life.

Mr. Burns is unmarried and resides with his sister, Johanna, in their beautiful home at 61 Wilson avenue. He is a life-long
member of St. Raphael Cathedral, and is also a Knight of Columbus and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

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