Burnight, James Francis (1869-1926)

BURNIGHT

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 10/8/2011 at 01:29:23

Akron Register Tribune
3-4-1926
P. 8

DEATH OF JAMES F. BURNIGHT
Word was received here Friday of the death of Jas. F. Burnight at Hot Springs, S. D., where he had gone about two weeks ago for his health. Mr. Burnight had been in poor health for the past year, but it was not thought that his illness was so serious. He appeared to benefit from the treatment at Hot Springs for a while, but was seized with a hemorrhage, which he did not long survive.

James Francis Burnight was born in Monticello, Iowa, August 9, 1869, and died Friday morning, February 26,1926, at the age of 56 years, 6 months and 17 days. At the age of 18 he came to Akron with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Burnight. He attended school here and helped his brother, T. L. Burnight, herd cattle on the range east of here. At the age of 18, together with his.brother, T. L., he went into business here, buying and shipping hogs and cattle, later
adding to their business buying and shipping grain. At the age of 20 he married Alice E. Boden, the ceremony performed by Rev. Fr. Corbert, in Akron. A few years later they moved to Westfield, Iowa, where he went into the grain business for himself, and built, up a prosperous business. A year ago he sold his interests in the grain business here to C. E. Lowry, of Cushing, Iowa, he retiring from active business life on account of his health. He traveled and made trips to various places, where he was seeking relief and consulted skilled physicians. While he was at Hot Springs relatives and doctors received letters from him stating that he was feeling fine. Then came word of his death, shocking the community. His son, Melbourne Burnight, and his daughter, Mrs. Agnes McMahon, were with him during his illness. Mr. Burnight was esteemed by all who knew him, gaining many friends in his business life. He was a progressive citizen, and was a very generous-hearted man and was ever willing and ready to help those in need. Mr. Burnight will be greatly missed in the community where he had spent so many years. His one request was that Rev. Father D. K. Hurley, of Anthon, Iowa, be present and officiate at his funeral.

Funeral services were held in St. Patrick's Catholic church at Akron, on Wednesday morning at ten o'clock. Rev. Fr. D. K. Hurley, of Anthon, Ia, a former pastor of the parish, was celebrant of the requiem high mass, and Rev. Fr. E. F. Casey delivered the sermon.

The pallbearers were: Patrick Gant, John Cronin, James Conway, M.J. Kennedy, D. F. Connolly and A. A. Martin. The remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at Akron.

A delegation of Knights of Columbus, of which he was a member, came from LeMars to attend the funeral.

The funeral was postponed until Wednesday, awaiting the arrival of his wife, Mrs. Alice Burnight, and daughter, Zoa, from Los Angeles, Cal.