J.O. Burns 1852-1904

BURNS, NOWELS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/9/2006 at 17:57:41

Emmetsburg Democrat; Wednesday, January 13, 1904

J.O. BURNS DIES RATHER UNEXPECTEDLY

Wednesday evening our citizens were pained to learn of the rather unexpected death of Mr. J.O. Burns of this city. He had been confined to his room about two weeks ago, the result of a complication of Bright’s disease and other ailments, but the general public never supposed that his condition was in any way serious. However, a few days before his taking off pneumonia set in and his heart being weak, he failed rapidly and soon succumbed to the inevitable. The news of the sad affair was promptly distributed to his brother-in-law, Charles E. Nowels, of Renesselaer, Indiana, who arrived in this city Friday to arrange for the funeral. Brief services were conducted at the business place of the deceased Saturday afternoon at 8:00 by Rev. S. R. Beatty, pastor of the M.E. church, who spoke in terms of praise concerning the kindness, courtesy and business integrity of the deceased. The remains were taken to Flora, Indiana, Saturday evening for interment.

The deceased was born near Flora, Carroll county, Indiana, in 1852. He grew to manhood in that vicinity. He worked for a short time in a grocery store at Flora, but he did not like the business and later took a course in pharmacy. In 1876 he went to Philadelphia to attend the exposition remaining in that city for a short time. He was a registered pharmacist in Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa and held positions as such in the states named and also in Kansas. About fifteen years ago he came to Emmetsburg and accepted a position in P.J. Hester’s drug store, remaining for two or three years after which he returned to Flora and purchased a drug store. However, soon after he sold out and after moving about considerably came back to Emmetsburg and purchased the H.B. Jones stock and building. He was a thorough business man and an unusually competent pharmacist. He kept a good stock and was an artist in the arrangement of his goods and the decoration his place of business. He was prudent, economical, frugal, and exceedingly clever as a salesman and he prospered. He was genial and light-hearted and retained without any apparent effort the confidence and the friendship of all who mingled with him in a business way. He was upright and always made it a point to meet his obligations promptly. He was unmarried. His father, stepmother, two sisters live in Indiana. He was called home during the fall to see his father, who was quite ill and who is rather advanced in years. The people of Emmetsburg will miss Mr. Burns, whom they had known so long and so favorably. The store is still in charge of Mr. Wolfgang, who was in Mr. Burns’ employ for many years and in whom he had the highest confidence. In due time, of course, some disposition will be made of the building and goods.