BURNS, John W.: 1842-1909

PURNELL, BURNS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/18/2013 at 07:13:29

JOHN W. BURNS.
**Handwritten: 1909

At 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon Easter Sunday, April 11, 1909, John Woodend Burns, postmaster at Keosauqua, passed to the world beyond, following a sickness of just a week with pneumonia. The deceased was a native of Van Buren county. He was born July 15, 1842, in Vernon township. This county has always been his home with the exception of a few months while employed in Ottumwa. In 1861, when Lincoln called first for volunteers, he enlisted for three months' service, and in the late summer of that year he enlisted in Co. G, Third Iowa Cavalry, serving through the war and was mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, August 9, 1865, returning to his home in this county.

On Christmas day, 1867, near Ottumwa, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Purnell. They came at once to the groom's farm in Vernon township, where they made their home until Mr. Burns was elected County Treasurer in Nov., 1889, commencing his services January 1, 1890, and serving efficiently for two terms. At the close of his treasureship he entered the real estate business in which he continued until appointed postmaster two years and three months ago, leaving one year and nine months of his term to serve when death came.

His wife, two sons and two daughters survive. Those at home during the past few years were Mrs. Burns and their oldest daughter Miss Dora, who was deputy postmistress and who took on herself the burden of the work during the last few months in which the health of the father perceptibly and steadily failed. Their sons Charles of Mason City, Iowa, and Owen of St. Paul, Minnesota, were at the bedside of the father when he died. His older brother Miles, with residence at Denver, Colorado, who reached here the forenoon of the day that death came, and a sister, Mrs. Owen Tuttle, of Watsonville, California, also survive, but distance and the infirmities of age prevented the last named from making the trip here.

Too much cannot be said commendatory of the life of John W. Burns. His acquaintance is almost universal through Van Buren county and those who read this will bear us out in saying that no one in the county had the esteem and confidence of the people to a greater extent than Mr. Burns. We all loved his goodness and his manly qualities and our people all mourn him as a dear friend. He leaves to his family that best and most valued heritage, a good name. His was not a wasted life. The world is better because he was part of it. And this statement is the best and most consoling of any message we can extend to his family.

The funeral cannot be held until 1:30 p.m. Friday of this week, as the daughter, Miss Mary Burns, who resides at Los Angeles, California, cannot reach here until late Thursday evening. The sermon will be by Rev. Thorn of the Methodist church of this place, of which denomination Mr. Burns had been a longtime member. Rev. Perkins and Eld. Moody will assist Rev. Thorn. The services at the grave will be in charge of the Masonic blue lodge, with Sir Knights and members of the G.A.R. as escorts, with which organizations the deceased was connected. The burial will be in the Purdom cemetery.

**Handwritten at bottom: JOHN W. BURNS

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 152, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA