John W. Burns 1842-1909

BURNS, PURNELL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/22/2014 at 13:25:51

BURIAL OF MR. BURNS

OBITUARY SKETCH OF A GOOD MAN

WAS CIVIL WAR VETERAN

And Had Held Important Positions
And Was Faithful And Just In
All Things.

John W. Burns, postmaster at this place, a pioneer of Van Buren county and a highly esteemed citizen, died Sunday April 11, at 3 p.m. He had been sick with pneumonia since Saturday evening, April 3. Mr. Burns was a highly respected citizen, esteemed by all and his demise is sincerely regretted by all who knew him.

John Woodend Burns was born in Vernon township, this county, July 5, 1842. His parents James and Mary Burns, came from Pennsylvania to Farmington in 1837 and the next year moved to a claim in Vernon township, were [sic] the deceased was born and resided for 18 years, except the four years he served in the civil war.

Mr. Burns passed his boyhood on the farm and attended the country schools until 17 or 18 years of age, when he came to Keosauqua to attend a high school taught be Rev. Daniel Lane. He was attending this school when the civil war broke out and he and V. P. Twombly and the late Thos. P. Henry laid down their books and enlisted in the 1st Iowa Volunteer infantry. For some reason the company they enlisted in was not received and later Mr. Burns enlisted in Co. G. 3rd Iowa cavalry. He served three years to the expiration of the term of his enlistment and then re-enlisted, serving until Aug. 9, 1865, being mustered out of the service as color sergeant. Mr. Burns was a good soldier, and his descriptions of the movements of the commands with which he served and his narrations were always interesting and instructive.

On Christmas day, 1867, Mr. Burns was united in marriage to Miss M. J. Purnell, who with two daughters and two sons and a brother and sister, survive him. During his residence in Vernon township Mr. Burns served term after term as township trustee, assessor and school director. In 1883 he was nominated by his party for county treasurer but his party being committed to prohibition he was defeated by Judge Rankin of Keosauqua, but both were always best of friends. In 1889 he was again nominated for the same office and was elected by a large majority and was re-elected two years afterwards. He discharged his duties as tea surer with the utmost fidelity as he did every trust ever undertaken by him. He it was who introduced in the treasurer’s office of notifying tardy taxpayers that their taxes would be delinquent if not paid by a certain date, on the theory that the taxpayer had forgotten; and that proved to be the case, as many taxpayers came in and paid, thus saving the county a commission to a delinquent tax collector.

In December, 1906, Mr. Burns received the appointment as postmaster here to succeed Col. Wilkin, who died suddenly Sept. 12, 1906. Mr. Burns did not desire the office, and declined two tenders of the appointment, but was finally prevailed upon to accept. The duties of the office were exacting for one of his age and physical condition, but having accepted, he gave the office his entire attention, and with his most efficient assistants, Mrs. Wilkin and Miss Dora Burns, he gave the public a very acceptable and popular service. In this position as in all the other positions he ever held, he was kind and just to all with whom he transacted business.

Mr. Burns was taken with a cold, which was thought at first to be merely an attack of the grip. He left his office for the last time Saturday afternoon, April 3. Pneumonia quickly developed and he passed away Sunday, April 11. His two sons, Charles of Mason City and Owen of Minneapolis, and Mr. Miles Burns, a brother, all arrived before his death, Miss Marie, a daughter, arrived from Los Angeles the day prior to the funeral.

The funeral was held Friday afternoon, the 16th. Notwithstanding the steady rainfall that prevailed all the afternoon, there was a large attendance, there being people present from nearly all parts of the county.

The funeral services were held at his late residence, and consisted of discourses by Revs. W. G. Thorn and C. E. Perkins, the discourse of the latter being read by Supt. Williams on account of Mr. Perkin’s illness. The floral tributes were beyond any thing seen here for a long time. The burial was conducted by Keosauqua Lodge No. 10, A. F. and A. M. The Knights Templar were to act as an escort, but as the rain was so persistent they fell in with the blue lodge. The Masonic burial services at the grave was conducted by Elder Moody of the Christian church.

Mr. Burns will be greatly missed by the community at large, as he always had a pleasant, kindly greeting for all, by the church of which he was a faithful and honored member and by the lodges which held him in the highest esteem. His life was an example which old and young might follow with profit.

[Note: Year not stated but position in scrapbook suggests 1909]

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA