Burnett, Delbert L. – 1857-1937

BURNETT, HOLCK, ORRELL, TRAFTON, WILSON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:37

Del Burnett, Veteran Railroader, Dies
Spends Over 50 Years in Rock Island Service
Death Comes at 2 a.m. This Morning At Skiff Hospital
Funeral Services Will Be Held Wednesday Afternoon; Used to Pull Reasnor Run
Delbert L. Burnett, 79, retired engineer and employee of the Rock Island Railway for over 50 years, died today at 2:00 a.m., at the Skiff Memorial hospital following a long illness.
Mr. Burnett had been in failing health during the past year and was taken to the hospital two weeks prior to his death. Earlier in the year he had been seriously ill with pneumonia and was a patient at the hospital for a number of weeks.
His two daughters, Mrs. Thomas Holck, of Chicago and Mrs. R. E. Trafton of Paton, Ia., have been at his bedside during his last illness.
Funeral Rites
Funeral services will be conducted from the Morgan funeral home Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and interment will be in the Newton Union cemetery.
Mr. Burnett, who served as engineer for the former Newton-Monroe branch of the Rock Island for 42 years, was pensioned by the company March 15, 1922, after 51 years and 7 months of service.
He was born in Wakeman, O., Dec. 15, 1857, the son of David H., and Mahala Burnett. One of a family of three children, a sister, Mrs. C. J. Orrell of Boone, and a brother, C. E. Burnett of Indianola, survive.
He came with his parents to Kellogg, Jasper county, Ia., in 1864, where the father was employed as construction superintendent of the Rock Island railway, which was being built through Iowa.
Began as Water Boy
It was in 1870, that Mr. Burnett entered the service of the company as a water carrier on the Kellogg work train. He served as “water boy” for two years and was then promoted to brakeman. For three years he was brakeman on the Kellogg work train and on the main line. In 1875, he became a fireman on the main line.
After the engine of the Newton-Monroe branch blew up Dec. 16, 1879, Mr. Burnett was offered this run as engineer. He accepted and for the next 42 years held that same run. Many of the older residents of Newton will recall that engineer William Fitzgibbons, and fireman Alex Jones, were both killed in the explosion, which occurred on the track near the George Sells Davis residence.
In 1906, when Mr. Burnett had been engineer between Newton and Monroe for 27 years, he was offered the position of engineer for a fast mail train from Chicago west, but preferred to remain with the Monroe Branch. The mail train, the fastest on the Rock Island runs at that time, was required to maintain an average speed of 60 miles an hour.
On Honor Roll
When he was retired in 1922, his name was placed on the Gold Honor Roll of the company and was presented with the regulation gold pin and 11 stars. At that time, there were only eight other pensioned employees who were entitled to wear the 11 stars.
In the fall of 1922, Mr. Burnett was honored with a bronze medal, presented to each man who had served 50 years ore more in commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the company.
Mr. Burnett was married to Ada Belle Wilson Jan. 1, 1889, at Newton and to this union three children were born. A son, Charles Lee, died in infancy.
Mrs. Burnett preceded her husband in death April 4, 1918.
A prominent member of the Masonic lodge, Mr. Burnett had been a Mason over 50 years and was a past commander of the Newton Knights Templar.
Surviving are his two daughters, his brother and sister.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, August 30, 1937

Rites Conducted For D. L. Burnett
Masonic Service Given Wednesday For Retired Railroad Engineer
Funeral services for Delbert L. Burnett, 79, retired railroad engineer and prominent lodge man, were conducted from the Morgan funeral home Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., by Rev. H. LeRoy Kinser of the First Christian church.
Providing music for the rites, A. Eugene Burton sang, “The End of a Perfect Day,” accompanied by Ruth Campbell.
Pall Bearers
Interment was in the Newton Union cemetery, where graveside rites were in charge of the Masonic lodge. Pall bearers were R. B. Stewart, Don P. Morrison, Fred C. Young, Philip Scharf, M. W. Linden and Charles A. Heryford.
The floral pieces were arranged by Mrs. W. I. Vail, Mrs. R. B. Stewart and Mrs. Don P. Morrison.
Retired Engineer
Mr. Burnett, engineer for the Monroe-Branch of the Rock Island Railway for 42 years and employee of the company for over 51 years died at the Skiff Memorial hospital Monday, Aug. 30, after a long illness.
Mr. Burnett had been a Mason for over 50 years and was a past commander of the Knights Templar.
Surviving relatives include his two daughters, Mrs. Thomas Holck of Chicago and Mrs. R. E. Trafton of Paton, Ia., a brother, C. E. Burnett of Indianola, and a sister, Mrs. C. J. Orrell of Boone.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, September 2, 1937

Burnett, Delbert L.; born: 15 Dec. 1857; in Ohio; died: 30 Aug. 1937; Mother’s maiden name: Unknown; Death Cert # C50-0081