Ralph Clinton Burns 1871 - 1934

BURNS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/18/2016 at 11:30:12

Ralph Clinton Burns was born at Smithland October 17th, 1871 and died November 22, 1934.

At the age of 3 years his parents moved from Smithland to a farm 5 miles northwest of Holly Springs located on what is now named the Denison highway, where his parents lived for nearly half a century. Here Ralph attended the rural school and grew to young manhood. He then entered Highland Park College at Des Moines for one year and then taught school for a short time after which he engaged in farming and stock raising and continued in this vocation the remainder of his lifetime.

January 13, 1906, he was married to Mrs. Louise Arveson and to this union was born one daughter, Dorothy May, who preceded her father in death 5 years ago, the mother having died when Dorothy was 5 years of age. February 15, 1913 he was again married to Mrs. Rose Bluen, the widowed sister of his first wife. To this union was born a son, Ralph, Jr.

Surviving him are his widow, Mrs. Rose Burns, a son Ralph, 2 step-daughters, Mrs. Freda Taft of Sioux City, Mrs. Ida Bartelson of Atlantic, a step-son, Edward Arveson of Hornick and 2 sisters, Mrs. Gussie Yockey of Smithland, Mrs. Edith Barto of Chicago and 5 brothers, F.B., G.F. and W.B, of Hornick, Dr. D.D. Burns of Chicago and Dr. P.E. Burns of Alpena, S.D. and 5 grandchildren.
He was a kind husband, loving father and a good citizen.