David G. Burleson 1842-1899

BURLESON

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/5/2020 at 14:38:30

Villisca Review
Villisca, Iowa
Thursday, December 14th, 1899

A Good Man Has Gone

David G. Burleson was born in Tyre, Seneca Co., New York, Dec. 10, 1842.

Moved to Branch Co, Mich., in 1853 and then lived with his uncle until the breaking out of the war. After spending two years farming in 1867 he came west and located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and engaged in grain business which he has followed ever since. In 1869 moved to Villisca and August 1885 to Clarinda.

About 22 years ago he united with the Presbyterian church in Villisca and has ever since been a member. Was married Mar. 24, 1869 at Three Rivers, Mich., to Miss Mary A. Shoemaker. He was the fourth of a family of seven children and is the last to go. There are no relatives nearer than cousins.

August 24, 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in Co. D 11th Michigan volunteer infantry. He was mustered in at White Pigeon, Mich. and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. The most important are Stone River, Chickamauga, Peachtree Creek and Kenesaw Mountain. He was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was appointed 1st Sergeant of his company and was mustered out of the service at Sturgis, Mich., Sept. 30, 1864. He received a wound during the battle of Atlanta.

He died Wednesday evening, 6 o’clock Dec. 6, ’99 in the arms of his wife. He had been unwell for several weeks but not seriously and had been confined to the house only a few days. He leaves his wife and two daughters, Clara and Florence. Miss Clara was teaching her school in Valley tp. as his condition was not thought to be alarming, but Florence was present.

Funeral services were held at the house, in Clarinda, on Friday afternoon and the remains, attended by relatives and a delegation of friends, were brought to Villisca for interment beside two children who died in infancy. Funeral services occurred at the Presbyterian church here Saturday, 10 a.m. and though the weather was very disagreeable a large number of friends were present. Rev. T.C. Smith, of Clarinda, conducted the services assisted by Rev. Hunter. The ceremonies at the cemetery were in charge of Wm. Lundy Post G.A.R.

Eulogies on the virtues of the departed are so customary that people tire of them but to those who knew David Burleson the warmest words of praise would only be his just due. He was a straight, honest man, a christian and always a gentleman. His patience, his uniform kindness to all and his constant cheerfulness were a continual wonder and a pleasure to his friends. As Rev. Smith stated in his address, “When the world is peopled with men as good as David Burleson the millennium will have arrived.”