Burns, Thomas Henry 1880 -

BURNS, OBRIEN

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/18/2014 at 19:10:59

Thomas Henry Burns, agent at Jackson Junction for the Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad and one of the progressive, alert and enterprising young men of the community, is a native of this part of Iowa, born in Jackson Township, Winneshiek County, June 28, 1880. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (O'Brien) Burns, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. The father came to Iowa as a boy about the year 1855 and locating on the south edge of Jackson Township, bought land upon which he resided until his death, which occurred on the 12th of September, 1897. His wife survives him and makes her home in Jackson Junction. To their union were born six children: Thomas Henry, of this review; Joseph Morgan, a railroad agent at White, South Dakota; Clement F., at home; Mary, who is Sister Elaine in the convent of St. Pius at Chicago, Illinois; Alice, of Mason City, Iowa; and Elizabeth, at home.

In the acquirement of an education Thomas H. Burns attended district school in his native township and afterward was a student in a college at Decorah. He turned his attention to teaching when he laid aside his books but after a short time took up the study of telegraphy, his first position being at Emmetsburg, Iowa. In 1906 he took charge of the office of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Jackson Junction and has since remained in this capacity, having gained great regard and esteem at headquarters by reason of his promptness, reliability and energy in the discharge of his duties.

Mr. Burns is member of the Roman Catholic Church and is connected fraternally with the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. He gives his political allegiance to the Democratic Party and in matters of citizenship is helpful and progressive, cooperating heartily in movements for community advancement and growth. He is still a young man but already successful and in in his many sterling traits of character, his conscientiousness, energy and business ability possesses guarantees of continued progress and prosperity.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913